Disability
What is happening to support disabled people living in Neath Port Talbot?
Disability Forum
The Disability Forum facilitated by Neath Port Talbot CVS, brings together representatives of community and voluntary organisations with an interest in disability issues.
Representatives from this forum feed the views from the voluntary sector into joint planning via the Disabled Person’s Advisory Group (DPAG).
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Disabled Person’s Advisory Group considers how Local Authority services meet the needs of disabled people, and ensures compliance with the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and, 2005. DPAG influences how funding to improve accessibility of public buildings is best utilised.
The Disability Network
The Disability Network was established in 2005 with an aim to raise awareness of disability issues within Neath Port Talbot and to address problems experienced by disabled people. The group meets on a bi-monthly basis at Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service.
Representatives from the Disability Network feed the views of disabled people into joint planning process via the Disabled Person’s Advisory Group.
Disability Network Information Directory
The need for an Information Directory with a disability focus was identified by the Disability Network. Funding was secured through the Communities First Trust Fund which enabled the Disability Network to produce this useful and valuable aid.
Download a copy of the Directory
Events
Disability Equality Event
In accordance with the DDA 2005 every public organisation has a duty to produce a Disability Equality Scheme and associated Action Plan to set out how they will promote Disability Equality.
In October 2006, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service organised a ‘Have Your Say Event’ on behalf of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board and ABM NHS Trust. The organisations met with disabled people to seek their views on what should be done to promote Disability Equality locally.
The organisations found the contributions made by local disabled people valuable and consider such involvement essential in taking disability equality forward. Each organisation wanted a second event to have an opportunity to consult with disabled people in order to:
- report on how they have taken forward some of the issues that were raised at the last ‘Have Your Say’ event.
- gain further insight into specific issues relating to some of the services they offer.
The event coordinated by Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, took place at Neath Sports Centre on Wednesday 12th March 2008, please see the report below, which will inform the action plans of the organisations based on feedback received from disabled people.
(Download feedback report)
Joint Commissioning Strategy for Disabled People’s Services
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Local Health Board are working together to develop a joint commissioning strategy for disabled people’s health, housing and social services. This will build upon and form a more detailed development of the work that has started as part of the modernisation of social care services.
The aim is to gain a clearer idea of the services we need to meet the needs of the increased numbers of disabled people living in Neath Port Talbot in the future. We will consider both the services that we need to increase, and those we need to reduce. The strategy will help us to decide how best to invest our resources to modernise our services in the future.
The development of the strategy will concentrate on the overall configuration of services across the county borough. It will help to decide whether there is a need to make changes in the type of services provided, and whether the locations of different services across the county are sensible. The strategy will be concerned particularly, but not exclusively, with services for disabled people and those with a sensory impairment, who have been assessed as meeting moderate, substantial or critical need via the Community Care Eligibility Framework. And who are of working age that is 18 to 64 years of age, however links will be made to other relevant strategies such as disabled children, older people and housing.
Future Events
Useful Information
Radar Keys
The National Key Scheme offers independent access by disabled people to around 7,000 locked public toilets around the country.
You can purchase a RADAR key from Neath Civic Centre, Port Talbot Civic Centre and Pontardawe First Stop Shop at a cost of £4. For further information telephone 01639 763 333
Pelican Crossings
Underneath the push button box of a pelican crossing there is an inverted cone with a ribbed surface. The cone rotates during the green man period, you can hold the cone and, when it starts to turn, know that the green man is showing and it is safe to cross.
Free Direct Enquiries
If you are blind or disabled you may qualify for free direct enquires telephone: 0800 800 195.
Disabled Persons Railcard
Application forms are available at rail stations.
For further information visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Free Postage
Royal Mail has, for a number of years, operated a scheme, Articles for the Blind. The scheme allows blind and partially sighted people to send certain items of post free of charge.
Website: www.royalmail.com
Useful Documents
The National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions
The Disability Discrimination Act
Useful Links
There are a number of useful links listed in the Disability Network directory
If you require any further information on disability please contact:
Emma Jones, Social Care Participation Officer at Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service
Telephone: 01639 631387
E-mail: emmaj@nptcvs.org.uk
