Latest News

Disabled musicians, Headroom to play live Norwich concert for Staff Benda Bilili

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Wed, 18 May 2011 06:56:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, 18th May 2011

Wednesday 18th 2011 will see Headroom; a group formed from the Black Dog Project, a Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) member organisation playing a live set in front of the Norwich Forum. In attendance will be Staff Benda Bilili, a group of disabled musicians from The Democratic Republic of Congo, before their NNF11 evening gig at the Theatre Royal.

Rock and blues band Headroom emerged from the Black Dog music project. Black Dog works with users and survivors of mental health services.

Many of the bands lyrics are inspired by the Headroom band members’ experiences of mental health issues.

"Being in Headroom has improved my confidence and self-esteem" said drummer Jason Wright

Lead guitarist Roger 'Zog' Bentley added: "Being in the band gives me a purpose. I feel like I am giving something back which I am unable to do through employment."

The event is the brainchild of NCODP CEO, Mark Harrison, who was inspired to arrange an event combining Staff Benda Bilili and Norfolk disabled musicians following the success of last years Disability Pride event and disabled musicians participation in the NNF11 Saxophone Massive.

Mark said "This is a great opportunity for disabled musicians from different continents to meet and appreciate each others music. It will also emphasise the common experiences disabled people have across the globe. Disabled people everywhere face barriers and discrimination."

This unique event will take place outside the Norwich Forum between 4:30pm and 6:00pm on Wednesday 18th May.

At a time where disabled people across Norfolk are seeing the services and benefits they rely on for even the most basic of life's necessities severely cut, this coming together of musicians from very different parts of the world, is hoped to bring both enjoyment and entertainment.

ENDS

Notes

TV/Radio: interviews are available at the event with Mark Harrison (07825 600195) and Headroom.

Picture Editors: Pictures available at the event – 5.30pm PHOTOCALL with STAFF BENDA BILILI.

Mark Harrison is also available for media interviews and can be contacted directly on 07825 600195.

Black Dog Project is a group of users and survivors of the mental health services. It was founded in 2006 and up until this year was a project run by Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Foundation Trust. It is now completely self directed by its members and independent.

For further information please contact Shaun Hobbs on 07798565686 or Keith Marriott on 07788583303

NCODP launched a website to coordinate their Campaign Against the Cuts, which can be viewed at http://www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk.

This press release can be found along with previous releases at http://www.ncodp.org.uk/press-releases.

For further information regarding this news item please contact NCODP via info@ncodp.org.uk or 01508 491210

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The Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) is a human-rights group controlled by disabled people and their organisations. They organise and take part in campaigns and run services that promote social equality and dignity for all disabled people.

The NCODP regards having an impairment as a normal part of being human. Disability results from people with impairments being excluded by physical and social barriers and negative attitudes. Their main task is to challenge the many forms of discrimination created by these barriers and attitudes.

The NCODP believes that disabled people must take the leading role in decisions that affect their lives both locally and as part of the national and international disability movements in which the NCODP plays an active part. There must be "Nothing about us without us."

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NCODP Board of Trustee Nominations 2011

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:58:37 +0000

We are looking for nominations to our Board of Trustees for 2011.

This is a great opportunity to put your experience to use and contribute to leadership within a successful and dynamic organisation.

We are looking for people who have the skills and confidence to work with disabled people, staff, volunteers, other organisations and local and national government bodies.

Business Management and Finance
Health & Social Care
Law
Communications

You may already have experience, or perhaps you are a rising star who would benefit from some support to develop. Either way, we want to hear from you.

For more information and to download a nomination form and other documents related to being a Trustee, please visit http://www.ncodp.org.uk/what-you-can-do/get-involved/ncodp-board-trustee-nominations-2011

Independent Living Consultation - We need your feedback

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:13:02 +0000

The Joint Committee of Human Rights is asking your views on the implementation of the right of disabled people to independent living.

In 2008 each of the three main political parties expressed their approval of the Independent Living Strategy which sets out actions aimed at improving the choice and control disabled people have over the services they need to live their daily lives.

In 2010 the new Government said it would look at ways to take this forward and The Joint Committee of Human Rights is now asking for your views.

NCODP is collecting feedback so we can respond as a collective and in order to assist our members we would like you to answer some questions.

Completed our short questionnaire to feed into our consultation response

For further information regarding the consultation, please visit http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/right-of-disabled-people-to-independent-living-call-for-evidence

Accessibility and the 2011 Census

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:23:55 +0000

One of the census's main aims is to help place healthcare and personal social services within easy reach of people who have a long-term health problem or disability.

So it's really important to make it easy for such people to take part in the census.

The Census community team is working closely with local authorities and community groups to make sure the census reaches the most vulnerable people in society.

They are offering plenty of extra help for anyone who has difficulty filling in their questionnaire.

There are two easy ways to complete the questionnaire:

Online at www.census.gov.uk, using the internet access code on the front of the paper questionnaire, or
On paper, by hand and return it in the freepost envelope provided

Census help and information is available in:

BSL and Audio guides are available online, on CD or cassette
A large print questionnaire and information leaflet
A Braille guidance booklet

Census field staff can visit people and assist with completing the questionnaire. People can contact the helpline to request assistance.

Where is help available?

Online: www.census.gov.uk/2011accessibility
Telephone: census helpline on:
- 0300 0201 101 in England
- 0300 0201 130 in Wales
Text Relay: 18001 0300 0201 160

Tell your story - how are the Norfolk cuts affecting you

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:27:55 +0000

BBC Radio Norfolk is looking at how disabled people are being affected by cuts to Norfolk County Council services.

If you have a story or experience then they would like to hear from you.

They are also interested in featuring groups of residents from the same road or street in Norfolk as a way of illustrating the kind of impact cuts may have.

Your story can be about the loss of a service you rely on, redundancy caused by the cuts or concerns over welfare benefits.

Radio Norfolk are looking for first hand accounts of how the council cuts are touching the lives of you and your family.

If you and your neighbours would like to take part then please contact Radio Norfolk on:

Email amy.barratt@bbc.co.uk or call 07711 912 115

Protecting the rights of disabled people to Independent Living

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:17:16 +0000

Joint Committee on Human Rights

Call for Evidence

The Joint Committee of Human Rights, chaired by Dr Hywel Francis MP, has announced an inquiry into the implementation of the right to independent living for disabled people, as guaranteed by Article 19, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Committee invites interested persons and groups to submit evidence on this issue and would welcome written submissions by Friday 29th April 2011. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is set out below, together with questions the Committee intends to address. You do not need to answer all of these questions in your written submission. The Committee particularly welcomes submissions from disabled people and their families about independent living and how Government policies, practices and legislation or the activities of public authorities and others can implement the right to independent living in practice.

This Call for Evidence has also been prepared in an Easy Read version which is available on the Committee’s website: www.parliament.uk/jchr. Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Committee on 020 7219 2384.

Background

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Rights Convention) builds on existing human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. Its purpose is to:

"Promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity."

The Disability Rights Convention is the newest treaty in the UN human rights framework. The United Kingdom ratified the Convention on 8 June 2009. The Convention has at its heart the principles of equality and independent living, which are designed to ensure that disabled people enjoy their rights on an equal basis to others. The first principle of the Convention provides that there shall be:

"Respect for the inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons."

Public authorities have specific duties to promote equality for disabled people in the Equality Act 2010. These duties broadly reflect the obligations of the Government in the UN Disability Rights Convention.. That Convention recognises that disabled people have a right to access community life without discrimination. For example, Article 19 provides:

"State Parties to this Convention recognise the equal right of persons with disabilities to live in the community with choices equal to others, and shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the Community"

The right to independent living

Independent living is described by the Office for Disability Issues as follows:

Independent living is about disabled people having the same level of choice, control and freedom in their daily lives as any other person.

Independent living was placed at the heart of the last Government’s policy on disability. Each of the three main political parties expressed their approval of the Independent Living Strategy published in 2008, which sets out actions aimed at improving the choice and control disabled people have over the services they need to live their daily lives.[1] The aims of the strategy are that:

disabled people (including older disabled people) who need support to go about their daily lives will have greater choice and control over how support is provided; and
disabled people (including older disabled people) will have greater access to housing, education, employment, leisure and transport opportunities and to participation in family and community life.

In June 2010, the Government explained that it was looking at further ways of taking the Independent Living Strategy forward.[2]

In December 2009, the Scottish Government, the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Independent Living Movement in Scotland signed up to a shared Vision for Independent Living in Scotland.[3] No similar national strategy exists in Northern Ireland or in Wales.

Should the right to independent living continue to form the basis for Government policy on disability in the UK?
Do existing policy statements, including the Independent Living Strategy, represent a coherent policy towards the implementation of the obligations in Article 19 of the UN Disability Rights Convention? Could current policy be improved? If so, how?
What steps, if any, should the coalition Government, the Scottish Government or other public agencies take better to meet the obligations in Article 19 and to secure the right to independent living for all disabled people in the UK?
If you consider changes to policies, practices or legislation in the UK are necessary, please explain.

Impact of funding on the right to independent living

The impact on the right to independent living of restricted funding, including proposals for cuts in the emergency budget and in the Comprehensive Spending Review, is not yet clear. A number of changes have recently been announced which may impact positively or negatively on the ability of disabled people to “have the same level of choice, control and freedom in their daily lives as any other person”.

The Committee would particularly welcome evidence on these recent developments:

the decision, announced in the CSR, to remove the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance for all people living in residential care;
changes to the Independent Living Fund;
“the Big Society”;
restrictions on local authority funding, social care budgets and benefits reassessments;
increased focus on localisation and its potential impact on care provision, and specifically, on portability of care and mobility for disabled people.
What impact does funding have on the ability of the UK to secure the right to independent living protected by Article 19 of the UN Disability Rights Convention?
How will recent policy and budgetary decisions impact on the ability of the UK to meet its obligation under Article 19 to protect the right of all persons to independent living?

Participation and consultation

The Disability Rights Convention is based on inclusion of disabled people in policy development and decision making. Article 4(3) of the Convention specifically provides that State Parties shall “closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities...through their representative organisations” in any decisions concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities.

What steps should the Government take to meet its obligations under the Disability Rights Convention to involve disabled people in policy development and decision-making, including in budget decisions such as the Comprehensive Spending Review?
Are the current arrangements for involvement of disabled people in policy development and decision-making working?

Monitoring the effective implementation of the Convention

The UK is required to submit its first periodic report on the implementation of the Convention to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in summer 2011. This report is being coordinated by the national focal point in Government required under the Convention, in the UK, the Office for Disability Issues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) -together with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) - has a responsibility under the Convention as part of the national implementation mechanism to promote the effective implementation of the Disability Rights Convention (Article 31).

What steps should Government take to ensure that disabled people’s views are taken into account when drafting their reports to the UN under the UNCRPD?
As part of the national monitoring mechanism, what steps should the EHRC, NIHRC and SHRC take to ensure that the Convention is implemented effectively?

You need not address all these questions. Short submissions are preferred. A submission longer than six pages should include a one-page summary.

A copy of the submission should be sent by e-mail to jchr@parliament.uk and marked “UK extradition policy”. An additional paper copy should be sent to: Greta Piacquadio, Joint Committee on Human Rights, 7 Millbank, London SW1A 0AA.

It would be helpful, for Data Protection purposes, if individuals submitting written evidence send their contact details separately in a covering letter. You should be aware that there may be circumstances in which the Joint Committee on Human Rights will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

A guide for written submissions to Select Committees may be found on the parliamentary website at: http://www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/witguide.htm

Please also note that:

Material already published elsewhere should not form the basis of a submission, but may be referred to within a proposed memorandum, in which case a hard copy of the published work should be included.
Evidence becomes the property of the Committee, and may be printed, placed on the Internet or circulated by the Committee at any stage. You may publicise or publish your evidence yourself, but in doing so you must indicate that it was prepared for the Committee. Evidence published other than under the authority of the Committee does not attract parliamentary privilege. If your evidence is not printed, it will in due course be made available to the public in the Parliamentary Archives.
All communications to the Committee about the inquiry should be addressed through the clerk or the Chairman of the Committee, whether or not they are intended to constitute formal evidence to the Committee.

http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/docs/wor/ind/ilr-executive-report.pdf
HL Deb, 17 June 2010, Col 1155
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0093260.pdf

Cinema City premier for film created by Norfolk’s young disabled people

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:14:53 +0000

For Immediate Release

Friday, 11 February 2011

An inspirational film called 'Don’t Dis Me I’m Able', made by young disabled people from across Norfolk, will premier at Cinema City in Norwich this February 18th at 3pm.

The screening follows a launch event in Westminster last month when the group travelled to London to show their film to politicians, disability groups and celebrities.

"I travelled to Westminster for the premiere of a new film about disability by a talented group of disabled young people from the Norfolk Youth Forum. With the great title 'Don't dis me I'm able', the film challenges and seeks to change how society sees disability. It tells the inspirational stories of young disabled people in Norfolk, showing some of the struggles they face and what they would like to see in the future.
Using film to change attitudes about disability is a great way to get the message across. I'm sure this film will have a lasting impact on those who had the privilege to attend."

Dr Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England

The film is a celebration of disability and includes interviews with some very famous faces from politics, sport, entertainment and the media. - David Blunkett MP, Ade Adepitan, Cerrie Burnell, Tanni Grey Thompson, Peter White and Mat Fraser.

The young people have been working on the film for the past six months after securing £20,000 in ’Mediabox’ funding for the project. It’s an exploration of the lives and aspirations of their disabled heroes mixed with inspirational stories and insight into their own lives. With a desire to be seen simply as normal, the young filmmakers contrast the lives of the famous with their own hopes and dreams.

The filmmakers are all part of the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People’s Youth Forum. The group, which has been running for just over a year is designed to help members with confidence and independence by giving them control of everything the group does. Film is used by the group as a powerful way of having a voice and the ‘Mediabox’ grant has enabled them to travel around the country interviewing some of their disabled heroes. The project has equipped them all with skills in filmmaking, research, animation and marketing and distribution.

The group want disability to be seen as a normal part of life, not something to feel sorry about. They don’t want to be patronised, just to be seen as young people with ambition and a desire to achieve the same things as everyone else.

ENDS

Notes

The Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People Youth Forum is for any young disabled person in Norfolk aged 14-25.
More information regarding the Youth Forum is available at www.ncodp.org.uk/youth-forum

TV/Radio: interviews are available at the screening with Caroline Golding (07884 438187), Robert Vaughan (07791 121742) and members of the forum.

Robert Vaughan and Caroline Golding are also available for media interviews in addition to the launch and can be contacted directly on 07884 438187.

Picture Editors: Pictures available at the launch

Mediabox enables young people to create media projects and get their voices heard. It has given disadvantaged 13-19 year olds, and up to 25 if they have learning difficulties or disabilities, living in England the opportunity to create media projects about issues that matter to them, from film and journalism to digital media and campaigns.

Cinema City is located at St Andrew's Street, Norwich NR2 4AD

This press release can be found along with previous releases at www.ncodp.org.uk/press-releases.

For further information regarding this news item please contact Caroline Golding via caroline.golding@ncodp.org.uk or 01508 491218

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Free Employment Workshops for people using Direct Payments

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:15:36 +0000

Independent Living Norfolk (ILN) is running free training workshops for people using Direct Payments on Confident Employment and Positive Recruitment

Do you use Direct Payments?

Are you preparing to employ or are you an existing employer?

Why not come along to one of our free, friendly workshops?

Positive Recruitment

Advice on how to get the right person for the job

Confident Employment

Advice to develop your skills and knowledge as an employer

We are holding these workshops in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn.

Confident Employment (10.30 – 13.00)

Thursday, 7th April 2011 - Norwich
Thursday, 14th April 2011 - Great Yarmouth
Wednesday, 11th May 2011 - Kings Lynn

Positive Recruitment (10.30 – 13.00)

Thursday, 19th May 2011 - Norwich
Friday, 17th June 2011 - Great Yarmouth
Thursday, 23rd June 2011 - Kings Lynn

Workshop's will take place at:

Norwich: Independent Living Training Centre, 4,5,7 Manor Farm Barns, Fox Road, Framingham Pigot, Norwich, NR14 7PZ
Great Yarmouth: Cobholm and Lichfield Health & Resource Centre, Pasteur Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0DW
Kings Lynn: West Norfolk Professional Development Centre, Kilhams Way, Kings Lynn, PE30 2HY

ILN is able to pay expenses to help you attend our workshops to cover things like transport and Personal Assistant Support.

More details will be available when you book.

If you would like to come along to one of them, please complete the workshop booking form and return it to us.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about the workshops on 01508 491222 or email jane.ellis@ncodp.org.uk

Download a Workshop Booking Form

Report shows cuts will slash living standards of 100,000 disabled people in Norfolk by more than 30%

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:00:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

11am, Monday, 10th January 2011

A report out today shows that in Norfolk as many as 100,000 disabled people and their families face a reduction in their living standards by a third due to the combined effects of the government's taxation and welfare changes and cuts in services planned by Norfolk County Council

The report: The impact of national budget cuts, tax changes and local reductions in services on disabled people and their families in Norfolk by economist Dr Chris Edwards, has been produced for Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) and will be submitted to the 'Big Conversation' consultation by Norfolk County Council. (which ends on the 10th January)

It will be launched at a presentation in The Curve, in the Forum, Norwich at 11am on Monday 10 January.

Also available will be a DVD of case studies, some of which will be shown at the launch. These highlight the impact of the cuts on the interviewed disabled people.

The report reveals:

Of Norfolk's 186,000 disabled people, 45,000 of working age on disability benefits will lose £526 per year, 8% of income each year.
Of Norfolk County Council's proposed £136 million cuts in services over the next 3 years, £45 million will directly and exclusively affect disabled people, representing a loss of services valued at £476 per disabled person per year, or about 7% of their income.
Disabled people will also be affected by other services cuts making the full impact even greater.
The increase in VAT is expected to add £158 to the essential bills of the average household and will mean a loss of about 2% of income for the poorest 50% of disabled people.
As a direct consequence of the above, the poorest 53% of disabled people in Norfolk, around 100,000 people and their families, will see their living standards decline by a third over the next four years.
The conclusion is that the impact of the changes introduced by the coalition government together with the cuts proposed by Norfolk County Council will be devastating, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and poorest group in society.

Mark Harrison, CEO of NCODP said:

“This report provides the evidence for what NCODP has been saying all along about the cuts – that they discriminate against disabled people. Disabled people are experiencing double discrimination - cuts in benefits and regressive tax changes from central Government and devastation of local services, if Norfolk County Council implements its proposals in the Big Conversation.

We knew all along that there is not a level playing field and that disabled people are poorer and have fewer opportunities than their non-disabled peers. This report charts how disabled people are being scapegoated for a crisis which we had no part in creating. My message to Norfolk councillors is that these proposals are both discriminatory and disproportionate. If we are all truly ‘in this together’ and you are working in the interests of Norfolk citizens then you must tell the Coalition Government that it is not possible to implement their cuts.”

Kathy Saunders, Chair of NCODP said:

“The consequences of these proposed cuts are disastrous. They will be felt by all citizens of Norfolk for many years to come and will cause damage to vulnerable people and families which will be unnecessarily expensive or impossible to repair. These changes will blight the lives of disabled people who are finding it difficult enough already.

We know the best way of designing services and promoting independence is to develop provision with the people who use them. That is why NCODP have a co-production relationship with Norfolk County Council, Adult Social Services.

None of these proposals have been co-produced with us and we can see the devastating consequences of these cuts if they are implemented. There are better ways of handling this crisis rather than penalising those who are struggling to make decent lives for themselves and their families.”

ENDS

Notes

Copies of the full report will be available at the launch and available to download from www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk/documents/facts/impact-of-cut-on-disabled-people-in-norfolk-012011.pdf .

NCODP Video response to Norfolk County Council's Big Conversation can be viewed at www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk/campaign-pictures-video.php#ncodp-response-video

TV/Radio: interviews are available at the launch with Mark Harrison (07825 600195), Dr Chris Edwards and Kathy Saunders.

Copies of the DVD will be available at the launch and extracts can be used for broadcast.

Disabled people featured in the DVD will also be available for interview.

Picture Editors: Pictures available at the launch.

Mark Harrison is also available for media interviews in addition to the launch and can be contacted directly on 07825 600195.

NCODP have launched a website to coordinate their Campaign Against the Cuts, which can be viewed at www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk.

This press release can be found along with previous releases at www.ncodp.org.uk/press-releases.

For further information regarding this news item please contact NCODP via info@ncodp.org.uk or 01508 491210

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No Joyous Christmas and Happy New Year for Norfolk's Disability Community

website@ncodp.org.uk (Carl Grint) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Norfolk Coalition Of Disabled People (NCODP) is sending a 'special' Christmas card to all of Norfolk's Councillors and Members of Parliament registering the devastating effects the Coalition Government's policies are having on this most vulnerable section of the population

For Release on
Monday, 20th December 2010

This holiday season Norfolk's 180,000 residents with a disability will be looking forward to neither a prosperous nor joyous time and the New Year brings fear and concern that their independence can no longer be taken for granted.

The Coalition Government along with Norfolk County Council are presiding over some of the severest cuts ever to take place in welfare, benefits, services and healthcare all affecting disabled people and their families and carers.

Mark Harrison, NCODP Chief Executive said "These cuts are neither fair nor necessary. Disabled people are experiencing a double whammy as they are being targeted in a disproportionate and discriminatory way by both central and local government."

The Christmas card highlights a recent report which states:

"Many disabled people in Britain are living socially isolated, cash-strapped lives and struggling to participate in normal activities."
Life Opportunities Survey, Office of National Statistics, December, 2010

There is not a level playing field for disabled people. Statistics show that disabled people and their families are poorer than their peers and have less access to education, training and jobs because of discrimination and barriers in society. Therefore they are more reliant on benefits and services than other sections of the population.

"If the main focus of cuts is these very benefits and services then it is inevitable that they are completely unfair." Mark Harrison said

The card also notes some of the changes taking place:

From the Coalition Government:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to be replaced
380,000 disabled people to be excluded from new benefit
DLA ended for people in residential care
Incapacity Benefit scrapped. Many disabled people will be put on less generous and one-year-maximum Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Tough medical tests, that experts say are grossly unfair, to be applied to all disabled people
Housing benefits capped for many disabled people
The Independent Living Fund scrapped
Access to Work cut and employers contributions increased

Norfolk County Council proposals:

Moving eligibility for social care from substantial to critical will mean 9,000 to 18,000 people (not now classified as 'critical') being left without support
Support for people with sensory impairments to be cut to the legal minimum
HIV/AIDS service scrapped
Mental health and learning difficulty services cut
Equipment and adaptation budget slashed
Prevention services cut by almost half. This will mean harder, more stressful lives for disabled and elderly people and an increased demand for more costly care and support

Mark Harrison commented,
"I think that if the Norfolk MPs and County Councillors are serious when they say they have the best interests of Norfolk citizens at heart, then they would tell the Coalition Government that it is not possible to implement these changes to benefits and over £155m cuts without causing poverty and misery to the most vulnerable people in the community and refuse to do it."

The card ends up with a powerful message for all politicians:
Disabled and elderly people, their families and carers only want equal rights and equal chances in life. Right now their prospects for 2011 and thereafter look decidedly grim.

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Notes

Mark Harrison is available for media interviews and can be contacted directly on 07825 600195.

NCODP's Christmas card can be downloaded via http://www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk/campaign-packs.php

Life Opportunities Survey - Office of National Statistics
December, 2010
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the survey throughout the year across Great Britain. It interviews a random sample of households, with sectors of society chosen to reflect the general population.
This is a longitudinal survey, which means it will return to interview the same people over the coming years. This will help government understand how people's lives change and to monitor whether life opportunities are improving.
http://www.odi.gov.uk/disability-statistics-and-research/life-opportunities-survey.php

NCODP have launched a website to coordinate their Campaign Against the Cuts, which can be viewed at www.campaignagainstcuts.org.uk.

This press release can be found along with previous releases at http://www.ncodp.org.uk/press-releases.

For further information regarding this news item please contact NCODP via info@ncodp.org.uk or 01508 491210

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