Description

Equalities Participation Network

Under existing equalities legislation, all public authorities must comply with a range of general and specific equality duties.  At present, Fife Council and its partners undertake these duties in different ways and at different times.  If the collective expertise of Fife Council, NHS, Police and other partners could be  brought together, this would greatly enhance the promotion of equality and diversity within the respective organisations and provide a structure which would not only meet legislative requirements  but begin to embed equality and diversity within Fife society.

It is hoped that the Equalities Participation Network (EPN) will become the strategic vehicle in Fife for gathering, analysing and utilising information from equalities communities of interest and will complement other community involvement and engagement activities across Fife.

LHS EIA Draft 03 09 10

EPN intro paper-Aug 10

Think Ahead To Stay On Top Of Your Mortgage

A new campaign aims to help people "Stay on Top of Your Mortgage". The Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB) plans to help people understand and manage their finances better. CFEB's campaign aims to help consumers stay on top of their finances so they know their options and can plan ahead should interest rates or their personal circumstances change. Interest rates have been at record lows for some while. Although there is uncertainty about when this will change, many people with mortgages haven't thought about what it would mean for their monthly payments if their rate was to go up.

Fife Law Centre

Fife Law Centre is a registered charity which aims to improve access to justice and legal advice in the local Fife community for those who either have difficulty accessing legal services or who cannot afford other forms of legal representation.

CHALLENGER CHILDREN''S FUND & 3H FUND

The fund offers small-scale financial help for physically disabled young people in Scotland. It will fund anything that is not provided by statutory sources - so that could mean expenditure such as a washing machine, holiday expenses, clothing, computer hardware or specialised adapted equipment.

A Calendar of Photo`s taken around Middle Den - Dunnikier Woods/Park - Rabbit Braes Community Park Kirkcaldy.

A Calendar of Photo`s taken around Ravencraig Park Coastline Kirkcaldy.

A Calendar of Photo`s taken around Lochgelly, Fife

A Calendar of Photo`s taken around Lochgelly, Fife in the Winter

Fife Mela & Cultural Carnival

Fife Ethnic Communities invite you to come and share a fun Festive day.

Date: Sunday 26th September 2010
Time: 12noon – 8.00pm
Venue: Glen Pavilion
Pittencrieff Park
Dunfermline
Entry: FREE

Fife Mela Poster Final 2010

Tough penalties on the cards for disabled drivers

Parking on double yellows could be banned

By lain Harrison

ELDERLY and disabled drivers are facing fines for parking on yellow lines.

Ministers have drawn up plans to clamp down on blue badge holders who leave their cars in areas other motorists are barred from.

Wheelchair clinic open at hospital

Dunfermline: NHS Fife launched its first wheelchair satellite clinic at Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline, recently.
As part of the National Modernisation Programme for Wheelchair and Seating Services, the clinic will allow patients I Fife to be assed and view available wheelchairs locally without the need to go to Edinburgh.  The new clinic will offer a more accessible service that responds to the needs of patients.  Patients can be referred to the clinic by their GP.
Nick Barber, chairman of Fife Wheelchair Users/Carer Group. Said, “This is a fantastic development for Fife wheelchair users.  Disabled people needing a wheelchair have been travelling to Edinburgh and have a clinic on our doorstep will make a great difference for us”.

From the Dunfermline Press 04/06/2010

Fife Council Deaf Communication Service has moved

As from Thursday 22nd July 2010

Social Work Service
16 East Fergus Place
KIRKCALDY
KY1 1XT

TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE THE SAME
or
Kirkcaldy Social Work Reception Tel: 01592 583322

"Click here to see Poster"

Campaigner bids to create guide to Fife's accessible premise

A COWDENBEATH man is appealing for help in compiling a record of disabled-friendly premises in Fife.

MO-Lawns - new service for people with disabilities

MO-Lawns offers our disabled clients a grass cutting service at prices that cannot be beat (from £4.99).  We cover the whole of Fife and hold Disclosure Scotland Certificate

(MO-Lawns) - contact .
Matthew O'Brien Manager  Mo-Lawns
Mobile Phone | Text: 07914 529104
matt.obrien@hotmail.co.uk

ARTHRITIS  SUPPORT AGAINST PAIN (A.S.A.P) West Fife

ASAP is a support group which aims to help people with many different forms of Arthritis.

Ordering your Repeat Prescription online in Fife

Some Doctors Surgery’s in Fife are now providing an online Repeat Prescription service through the Community Health Partnership

Book Prescription Scheme - Fife

ARE YOU HAVING EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS?

Many people - perhaps even the majority - develop emotional or psychological problems at some time during their life. At anyone time, for example, about 10 per cent of adults are feeling somewhat depressed. Others feel anxious about leaving the house, or about meeting people, or have worries that seem to go on and on.

SIGN UP FOR CHANGE

The Charter For Change for Older Families Which Include People with Learning Disabilities outlines 5 simple steps that can be taken to make life easier for this group of people and to plan for the long term needs ofolder carers and the needs of those that they care for.

The Charter points are:

1. Local councils should collect accurate information on the numbers, needs and location of older families.
2. Every adult with a learning disability living with an older carer should be able to have a person centred plan.
3. In each local authority area there should be a dedicated officer for older families to provide advice, local information and support access to services.
4. Every adult with a learning disability living with an older carer should be able to have an Individual Emergency Plan.
5. Every family with older carers across Scotland should have the opportunity to access independent advocacy services.

SIGN THE CHARTER at www.charterforchange.com

Anger as ILF changes threaten independent living

Consultation consultation consultation

Blue Badge Reform Programme, The consultation exercise for implementing the Blue Badge Reform Programme will run for 14 weeks, closing on 2 July 2010.

I have added the Photo`s taken at the FIDN Network Meeting 15/04/2010

The Speakers were:

Angela Hutchinson, Lead Officer, Demand Response,
Transport Services, Fife Council

Talking about Fife Council`s Ring & Ride and Dial-a-ride Service that is provided across Fife.

Phyllis McIntyre, Assistant Co-ordinator, Shopmobility.

On Shopmobility and the services it can supply at its Glenrothes centre.

Steve Walker, Operations Director, Stagecoach East Scotland

On Stagecoach`s plans to operate a hoovercraft over the Firth of Forth

Mr Bill Thomson, Speaking about his Dyslexia.

At the Network Meeting on 15th April 2010, In The Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland one of the Guest Speakers was Mr Steve Walker Operations Director, Stagecoach East Scotland.

He told the Meeting that Stagecoach was planning to start a Hovercraft Service to Fife, between Fife (Kirkcaldy and the Edinburgh side) and that they were in discussions with Fife Council and Edinburgh City Council about landing sites and park and ride and other facilities and funding. They hoped to be operating in about 18 months if all goes well.

So I thought I would put the video back onto our website.

The Video`s in this page were taken at the FIDN Network Meeting in the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland on the 15-04-2010

Guest Speakers were:

Angela Hutchinson

Lead Officer, Demand Response,
Transport Services, Fife Council

Talking about Fife Council`s Ring & Ride and Dial-a-ride Service that is provided across Fife.

Phyllis McIntyre

Assistant Co-ordinator,
Shopmobility.

On Shopmobility and the services it can supply at its Glenrothes centre.

Steve Walker

Operations Director,
Stagecoach East Scotland

On Stagecoach`s plans to operate a hoovercraft over the Firth of Forth

Mr Bill Thomson

Speaking about his Dyslexia.

UK Benefit Rates for 2010/11

Consultation on proposed changes to the laws governing powered mobility scooters & powered wheelchairs (DfT-2010-10)

The Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking your views on proposed changes to the legislation covering powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs (referred to as “invalid carriages” in legislation).
The aim of any reforms taken forward following this consultation will be to deliver cost-effective improvements to the safety of mobility vehicle users, pedestrians and other road users, while supporting continued mobility for disabled people.

I myself use a class 3 scooter and think its about time there was changes to the laws concerning the use of mobility scooters. I find and hear off the missuse/Recklessness/Stupidity/ignorance of some mobility scooters users and I think the laws should be more strenginly enforced (and beleave it or not there are already laws governing the use of mobility scooters, check out the Scooters link on the Home page of this webpage to check them out).

Anyway, the Consultation document is in PDf format and the questions are in that at the bottom of each section but with which I found difficult being you can`t right your answers on a pdf document, so I copied the questions on to a word document which I have added a link to a copy of just in case anyone else has difficulties answering the questions. (Click Here to download a copy of this)

Telehealth and Telecare conference 24th May 2010

With the Scottish Centre for Telehealth having merged with NHS 24 on1 April this conference comes at a particularly opportune time.  The conference will specifically look at the current and potential role of telehealth and telecare in Scotland, examining current levels across health boards and the potential efficiency savings and service improvement of increased use. 

Using the Human Rights Act to challenge failure to provide adequate community care services

Photo`s and video`s taken at the The Independent Living in Scotland Seminar.

In the Kingswood Hotel near Burntisland, Fife

Eligibility Criteria & National Standards
for Wheelchair & Seating Services

The new Scottish Government Wheelchair and Seating Services Standards and Eligibility Group held its first meeting on 26 January. Chaired by Richard Hamer, Director of External Affairs at Capability Scotland, the Group includes representatives from WSS centres, the Scottish Government and the voluntary sector, together with two wheelchair users and two parent carers nominated by SWUV. Dr Mike Dolan of the SMART Centre has been appointed as WSS Clinical Advisor to develop clinical and service standards.
The Group will be consulting widely. As part of this process, a National Conference on Wheelchair and Seating Services will be held on 13 April for wheelchair users, carers, NHS and social care staff. It will be opened by Shona Robison, Minister for Sport and Public Health.

13 April 2010
Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow
To register your interest, please visit www.shsceventsbookings.co.uk and select ‘In Motion Wheelchair and Seating Services Conference 2010’ or contact Maureen Hart, Event Manager, SHSC Events Tel: 0131 275 7746 email inmotion@shsceven
SWUV will keep you informed of other consultation events in the review as they are organised.
Scottish Government Wheelchair & Seating Services website and newsletter at www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/health/health/wheelchair

Scottish Wheelchair Users’ Voice Bulletin No. 2 February 2010

The Winter 2009 Newsletter is now available to download.

Our March 2010 Newsletter is now being Published, but since this now only goes to paid up members of FIDN when it is first comes out it will not be put onto the website, at least not until the next newsletter comes out. Since the new newsletter is now coming out to members I can now put the last one onto the website, and this is what I have done. You can now download the Winter 2009 Newsletter. There 3 versions of the newsletter, PDF, MS Word and text only in notepad.

Redcourt Supported Holidays

Redcourt Supported Holidays, part of St Christopher’s Trust in the Peak District offer holidays and short breaks designed specifically for people with learning disabilities. 

The Videos in this page were taken at the The Independent Living in Scotland Seminar
In conjunction with the Fife Independent Disability Network 10-02-2010

In the Kingswood Hotel near Burntisland, Fife

GLENROTHES Pain Awareness & Support Group

We are a, self help, group of chronic pain sufferers. Before we all got together, each one of us thought that we were the only ones to be suffering in this way. It was a blessed relief to find out that this was not the case.
Prior to forming this group, we were members of other organisations that offered assistance with pain management etc., However on 8th January 2007, we formed this group to dedicate ourselves to concentrating on, giving help and advice to the people of, GLENROTHES and surrounding areas. This meant that there was more of a localised point of help for chronic pain sufferers instead of a national and somewhat faceless organisation. Since that date have been going from strength to strength. We meet in the Rothes Halls adjacent to the Kingdom Shopping Centre in GLENROTHES, approximately every two weeks. Our meetings are from 2pm till 4pm and you can view our programme for the current year here.

We offer friendship and association to anyone who is a chronic pain sufferer. So, if you are in this situation or know someone who is, cheer up, you are not alone. Why not come along to one of our meetings? You will be made very welcome. Tel:07902 010 279 email: gpasg@hotmail.co.uk

OPEN DAY for all OSTOMISTS IN THE STAFF CLUBVICTORIA HOSPITAL, KIRKCALDY 15th May.
For more information Click on text to view poster

The Fife ILeostomy and Internel Pouch Support Group - What is IA?

FREE golf lessons and training are available for anyone of any age, with a serious health problem or disability

The Scotsman gives you a top ten guide to pertinent financial issues

Public Toilets - Comfort Break Scheme in Fife

More Accessible Holiday Adverts have been added back onto the Website

Bill Gray MBE CV/History

Fife Bus Service Changes Commencing Monday 15th February 2010

For Sale
Calendar of Photo`s taken around Lochgelly, Fife

Reporting Hate Crime

Fife Community Safety Partnership has produced this DVD in association with Kinetic and the Safer Communities Task Group, including staff from Fife Constabulary, NHS Fife, Fife Council, FRAE Fife, Fife Mens Project, Fife Independent Disability Network, Fife Elderly Forum and Victim Support Fife.

What you can do about Anti-Social Behaviour

The Fife Independent Disability Network

Questionnaire about your “networks”

We would like to ask you some questions about the networks you have with other disabled people.  This is so we can get evidence that will allow us to give Westminster, Holyrood and Fife Council good advice about how well disabled people are connected to one another. the Questionnaire is in MS Word

Outreach & Development Officer – Inclusion Scotland
Post:  Outreach and Development Officer
Salary: £21,785 (pro rata 20 hours per week)
Location: Scotland wide remit
Closing Date:  29th January 2010 at 12 noon

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING IN SCOTLAND

The Independent Living in Scotland (ILiS) project and Fife Independent Disability Network (FIDN) are holding the event at the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland on Wednesday 10th February 2010

What you need to know about the Care Commission

Care Commission and Scottish Government/Executive National Care Standards Publications

This link will take you information on The Independent Living Fund (ILF)

PHOTO`S and Video`s Taken at the at the FIDN Network Meeting
10-12-2009 in the Pitbauchlie Hotel, Dunfermline

The Guest Speakers at this meeting were:

*Avs Crossley from Fife Women`s Network

*Mary Stewart Manager Fife Carers centre

*Tony Rosenbau Care Advisor Integrity Financail Solutions

STAGECOACH INVESTS £3.5M IN IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN FIFE

A guide to Self-directed support

This booklet is for people who experience mental-health problems and who are interested in getting access to self directed
support in Scotland.
Self-directed support is designed to help people to manage their own social-care support and choose the services that suit
them best.
The booklet will give you some information and allow you to make an informed decision about whether to get self-directed
support. It will also explain how self-directed support can help you to manage your mental health.

The Association of Wheelchair Children
AWC grew out of a voluntary activities club for young wheelchair users. Over 20 years later we still provide practical training for young wheelchair–users: training designed to enable independence and to help ensure the young people are able to reach their full potential. The charity’s successes include Ade Adepitan MBE, the TV and wheelchair basketball star, who is now a patron of AWC. Future 2012 Paralympic hopefuls Tom Brown and Dan Lucker have also benefited from our unique skills training.

Fife Care and Repair
Fife Care and Repair is a free and confidential, client based service that offers advice and assistance to enable older homeowners and private tenants to improve or repair their homes. Our aim is to enable older people to live in the comfort of their own home and to remain in their own community.

Carers' Allowance and complexity.
At the end of last week, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee published "Supporting Carers to Care" which looks at the way in which Carers' Allowance (CA) is administered and delivered to those that need it. The Committee have followed up on a report published by the National Audit office this year. It is obviously a reasonable thing to do to reward those that perform caring duties that would otherwise by the state. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) spends £2 billion on CA whereas it is estimated that carers do work that would otherwise cost the state £23 billion. It is also estimated (although we don't actually know) that only 30% of those eligible actually receive it.

The Equality Bill and people with disabilities
The Equality Bill is currently making its way through Parliament so this seems a good time to consider what it says and how things may be improved for disabled people in the future. It may be argued that the Disability Discrimination Act has made some progress in this area but I don't think anyone would argue with the view that it doesn't go far enough..

Actions speak louder Last month the Bay­watch survey

Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, Comes into force 1st October 2009
The Act will lead to all disabled street parking places becoming enforceable

DISABILITY campaigners have called for there introduction of a Scotland-wide card to alert bus drivers to passengers needing extra help.

Fife Council's budget for 2010 -11 Balancing the books - have your say
The decision was taken at the June meeting of Policy, Finance and Asset Management Committee to undertake a public and employee consultation on Fife Council's budget for 2010 -11 and the following years.

SCHEMES TO HELP HOMEOWNERS in the recent credit crunch

Where to Get Public Transport Information in Fife

The Photo`s and video`s that where taken at the FIDN AGM 2009 Kingswood Hotel on the 24-09-2009 The Guest Speakers where:

Councillor Andrew Rodger, Angela Hayes Equality & Diversity Lead Officer NHS Fife, Sarah Bromley, Community Liaison Officer, Energy Saving Scotland Advice, James Page FIDN Transportation Spokesperson talking to Councillor Andrew Rodger

Call for disabled volunteers - Fieldfare Trust

Places I have been to eat by Pauline Medd