EFD disability news - Customer

Wheelchair users to be granted access to park in Otley

EFD — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:47:00 +0000

A £100,000 budget has been granted to the charity Groundwork Leeds to revamp Gallows Hill Nature Park in Otley, near Leeds.

The park will be made accessible to wheelchair users under the scheme, while paths will be levelled for the benefit of anyone who requires a level walking surface.

Welfare reform amendments rejected by House of Commons

EFD — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:54:00 +0000

Recent suggested amendments to the welfare reform bill have been overturned in the House of Commons.

The coalition government won seven key votes in the Commons, reinstating the original proposals into the legislation and rejecting any changes suggested by peers.

It aims to cut 280,000 disabled people from receiving out of work benefits, while half a million people with disabilities will now be ineligible for a benefit designed to help them with the higher cost of living experienced by many disabled Britons.

Pictures sought for Scope rebranding

EFD — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:11:00 +0000

Disability charity Scope is asking disabled people, their friends and families to submit pictures and words to help them with their rebranding efforts.

Scope's new logo has been compiled from a number of simple drawings, each of which is designed to reflect their hopes, dreams, ambitions and aspirations.

The redesign is part of the London-based charity's new living brand, designed to incorporate a series of words and pictures to show different peoples' futures and how they require a creative and collective effort to ensure they become a reality.

Activists to protest against Welfare Reform Bill

EFD — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Disabled workers and activists are to take to the streets in London this weekend in opposition to the government's Welfare Reform Bill.

On Saturday January 28th, individuals from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), Disabled People's Direct Action Network and UK Uncut will occupy parts of central London to protest against the proposals currently being debated in the House of Lords.

Battle against mental health prejudice 'improving'

EFD — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:58:00 +0000

Mental health issues are becoming less of a barrier to work, according to the opinions of one expert.

Andy Bell, spokesman for the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, believes that while the battle is not yet over, "we are beginning to see the signs of progress".

Mr Bell praised the new national Time to Change programme, which he argues "is beginning to shift our attitudes towards mental illness and people with mental health problems".

Blue Badges 'vital for many disabled people'

EFD — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:26:00 +0000

Recent changes introduced to the Blue Badge scheme for disabled people have seen an average rise in prices from around £2 to £10 for three years.

While the costs may seem small, Guy Parckar, policy and campaigns manager at Leonard Cheshire Disability, claims that they will have an impact "given that disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to live in poverty".

Travel industry 'failing to cater for disabled holidaymakers'

EFD — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:12:00 +0000

The UK travel industry is reportedly failing to cater for disabled holidaymakers, claims the chairman of the annual trade exhibition the World Travel Market.

Fiona Jeffery told the Travel Weekly website that customers with mobility problems or disabilities are a rapidly growing consumer market, however their needs and interests are largely ignored by the industry as a whole.

Disabled people criticise blue badge price hike

EFD — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0000

Disabled people across the UK have criticised the decision to increase the cost of blue badge parking permits by five times from January 1st.

The scheme gives parking concessions to disabled people and in North Yorkshire it cost £2 for three years before the price change.

Now residents are being told to pay £10, a figure many argue is too high, according to the York Press.

Norwich Rowing Club now accessible for disabled people

EFD — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:51:00 +0000

A Norwich rowing club is now accessible for disabled people after it was allocated a £2,000 grant, EDP24 reports.

Norwich Rowing Club was handed the money from the Almary Green Independent Financial Advisers at the inaugural Almary Green Awards, where £10,000 is given to community projects in the area.

The group has now managed to build a single-seater boat from a carbon fibre shell, which has specially designed floating pontoons for disabled users to learn to row in.

Sensory garden planned for Liverpool park

EFD — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Disabled workers in Liverpool may be pleased to hear that a new sensory garden is to be created in Calderstones Park, offering a way to unwind while engaging the senses.

The garden has been designed particularly to help stimulate the five senses of disabled children; however councillors hope that it will be enjoyed by everyone.

Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment and climate change, commented: "Natural environments such as parks are already recognised as being beneficial to our health.