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The Independence
The Thalidomide Society's Newsletter
No.21 Spring 2005 - p7
Bits and Pieces
Flying off?
The European Commission has proposed a regulation that would prohibit airlines charging disabled people for assistance or refusing to let them fly when they book tickets or at departure. Apparently this move would also establish a 'centralised charging system'. Airports rather than airlines would be expected to provide free assistance for passengers 'with reduced mobility.' The European Disability Forum is supporting the regulation and it is hoped that the regulation, which is being supported by Luxembourg - the current holder of the EU presidency - will be passed before the end of June.
(Source - Disability Now)
Community Services
Have you experienced good or bad community services? The National Centre for Independent Living is asking for you to get involved in a new campaign to ensure Disabled people make their own choices over community services. If you have any relevant experiences and are willing to let the NCIL know, you can contact Alan Desborough at the NCIL on des@ncil.org.uk or telephone them on 020 7587 1663.
Delivery of Services
In addition to the above the Social Exclusion Unit wants to find out how public services are delivered to people with disabilities, long term health problems, people with poor basic skills and people from certain ethnic minority groups. The Unit wants to know what the barriers are in accessing services. If you are interested you can contact the unit at http://consultations.socialexclusion.gov.uk/consult/disadvantagedadults/consultation
Complementary Therapies
Anyone who has or is interested in using complementary therapies might wish to contact The Disability Foundation which is a charity combining complementary health care and disability information services (020 8954 7373; minicom 020 8954 7413 - email: info@tdf.org.uk)
TDF can provide such therapies as osteopathy, reflexology and acupuncture at significantly reduced rates to disabled people, their family, carers and friends. The disadvantage to this is that it is based in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex. However if anyone is interested they might wish to give the TDF a call and let us know whether the service is available nationwide.
Vote for Me
Did you know we have a TV Celebrity in our midst? Earlier on this year the ITV held a reality show called Vote for Me to find an independent candidate for the general election. Member, Kevin Donnellon took part in this show and you may have seen him on your TV screens - he was one of several thousand applicants. His experiences were documented in the March edition of the magazine Disability Now.
Kevin's electoral address argued for the rights of disabled people - however he says in the article that his ability to become a politician was queried because of his disability. Sadly Kevin was voted out, but has vowed to continue his campaign and may rejoin the Lib Dems whom he had to leave in order to be on the show. Let us know whether you really think reality TV is all it is cracked up to be Kevin!
Mobility Road Show
A date for your diary if you are interested in looking for another car - Thursday 7th July to Saturday 9th July is the Mobility Road show at Donnington.
Free Cinema Tickets
If you are in receipt of DLA, are registered blind or hold a disabled person's rail card you can apply for the Cinema Exhibitors Association Card which is valid for three years and entitles you to one free ticket for any one accompanying you to the cinema. This is a new scheme and has been launched throughout 500 cinemas in the UK. Application forms are available from participating cinemas and a list of those can be found at www.ceacard.co.uk
Phil Friend
Two years ago Phil Friend, consultant on disability issues was keynote speaker at our annual conference in March 2003. Phil gave a most entertaining and thought provoking speech. In January this year he took over the chair of RADAR's Board of Trustees. Phil was made an OBE in 2001 and says he wants to see RADAR working more closely with other disability organisations and larger corporations because we all now in live in a partnership environment.
Diageo makes a 'one-off' payment of £4.5m
A lump sum of 70% on top of the annual payments to beneficiaries has been promised by Diageo. This donation is in response to the evidence that beneficiaries are experiencing a deterioration in their impairments. You may remember that the Society produced a comprehensive report on the health quality of life of thalidomide impaired people in 2002 highlighting these issues. The Thalidomide Trust has made representations to Diageo resulting in this welcome further payment.
Contents:
Co-ordinator’s Report
Karaoke in Tokyo…
The Statement
Conference 2005
Accounting for Thalidomide
A Video for Brazil
Book Review – Riverworld
Bits and Pieces
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