UK Benefit rates in the UK for 2012/2013

I have been copying Benefit rates in the UK from other websites in prevous years but this year I thought why not put a link to the page they have the information on so this is what I have done.

From the Focus on Disability website:

Benefit rates in the UK for 2012/2013
From The Department of Work and Pensions - DWP
(formerly The Department of Social Security)
It`s over 2 pages. www.focusondisability.org.uk/brates-1.html

New CPT Mobility Scooter Code
On Wednesday, 14 September 2011 and following discussions with the Department for Transport,CPT launched a Code of Practice for the use and acceptance of Mobility Scooters on low floor buses.

The Code simplifies and puts in place standardised procedures for Operators and Mobility Scooter to ensure they are able to safely use bus services. The Code aims to make clear to all concerned the types of mobility scooters our vehicles will be able to accommodate. It introduces a permit system for the mobility scooter user that will make it easier for the bus driver to recognise that the mobility scooter has been approved by the Operator and the user has been trained in how to safely board and alight from the bus. The permit will be accepted by all Operators who adopt the Code.

For more information "Click Here" for whats on our website or "Click Here" to go to the transport for all website there is a lot more information on their website but the CPT Code Leaflet pdf download contains images of the text and is not suitable for screen reader so I have taken the text of it and this text can be viewed by following our link "Click Here".

Is there anyone out there with experience of Sage 50 Accounts who would like to volunteer two or three hours each week?

With all the other work our treasurer has to do, his time is becoming limited and he could do with some assistance.

If interested please contact the FIDN office manager on 01592 203993 (Our office is in Kirkcaldy)

Changes to Blue European parking

badges

Blue badges are changing.

From January next year (2012), you will have to use a new national application form to apply for a new blue badge or renew your old one.

Forms are available from www.fifedirect.org.uk/bluebadge or www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme or by calling 0845155 00 66. You can also apply online at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme

Note from FIDN: You used to get reminding letters when your blue badge was about to need replacing but that is no longer the case. You now have to make sure yourself when your Blue Badge about to expire and apply for a replacement.

Wideaware Training and Consultancy Ltd have been commissioned by the Office of Disability Issues with a research and eLearning project to find out more about practical difficulties or good stories on disabled people trying to access their MPs.   I have a link to their blog page here: http://blog.wideaware.co.uk/archive/33/your-experience-with-your-member-of-parliament-as-a-disabled-person 

Attached is a list of questions that Wideaware are looking for disabled people to answer.  If you are interested please fill in the attached document and forward onto Maria:  mzedda@wideaware.co.uk

"Click Here" to view attached document

If you have any questions about the project please contact Maria on 0131 531 5847.

Many thanks, 

Information
Inclusion Scotland
Unit 219
Pentagon Centre
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
Tel: 0141 221 7589
E-mail: information@inclusionscotland.org

Visit our website at http://www.inclusionscotland.org

The Fife Independent Disability Network (and hence this website) is mostly funded by Fife Council and because of this we have show that people are using website and what they are using it for plus some other information.

I have put together a short survey. Could I please ask you to spent a few minutes to fill in the form.

survey template

"Please Take our Online Survey"

Mobilise for DLA campaign

You may have noticed that Jim Eadie MSP has lodged a motion in Parliament supporting the Mobilise for DLA campaign, and praising the campaigners who made their way to London to express their views on the Welfare Reform Bill and its proposed changes to DLA and Mobility Allowances.

We have created an online action for anyone who wants to write to their MSP to ask them to support the motion to do so. It would be great if you could forward this to partner organisations, campaigners, or any other interested parties who you think might want to support the campaign. We will continue to lobby when the Bill goes to the Lords after the Parliamentary recess later this year.

You can access it via the following link:

http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=22&ea.campaign.id=11158

It would also be great, if people want to, if they could let me know about any replies they receive.

Thank you

Jacq

Jacq Kelly
Policy and Parliamentary Officer (Scotland)
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Telephone: 0131 346 9053
Email: jacq.kelly@LCDisability.org

SDEF Consultations - Personal Independence Payment

As many of you may know the UK Government intend to replace the Disability Living Allowance benefit with the Personal Independence Payment. The Government have released a draft of the Assessment Regulations that will outline the way people will be assessed for the new payment.

We feel that it is extremely important to inform you about these proposals and to seek your views. Many of the new features of the Personal Independence Payment are quite different from Disability Living Allowance. There will be a pilot of the new Assessment Regulations over the summer with an opportunity to submit responses at the start of August. It is vital your views, opinions and ideas are heard; please let us know your thoughts to help us prepare our response on this subject.

For more information and to view the summery and SDEF Consultations document "Click Here"

The Scottish Government has asked us – ODS Consulting – to review the Independent Living Programme

The Scottish Government has asked us – ODS Consulting – to review the Independent Living Programme.  This programme promotes independent living for disabled people.  By independent living we mean having the freedom, choice, dignity and control to live your life the way you want to.  This includes at work, at home and in your community.  At the moment, this isn’t always possible for disabled people.

As part of this review, we are exploring what needs to change to make independent living a reality.  So we want to hear the views of disabled people, and people with an interest in independent living for disabled people. 

Tell Your Story, Make a Difference!

Had experience of NHS services recently?  Want to offer some feedback, suggestions or thanks?  Want to see what others are saying too?

Then Patient Opinion might interest you.....

For More "Click Here"

Equality Act comes into force 1st October 2010

The vast majority of the Equality Act's provisions will come into force today. This landmark legislation strengthens, harmonises and streamlines 40 years of equality legislation, providing protection from discrimination across all the ‘protected characteristics’:  age, disability, sex (including gender reassignment), race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation.  The Equality Act affects you as an employer and service provider and applies whatever the size of your organisation or sector you work in. "Click Here for more"

The Video taken at the FIDN`s Network Meeting in The Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly. On the 30/03/2012 is now available to view.

Guest Speaker:

Betty McNeil
The Fife Ileostomy
& Internal Pouch Support Group

This video taken at the FIDN office talking about  The Fife Independent disability Network

YOU WILL NEED THE LASTEST FLASH PLAYER TO VIEW THIS VIDEO