Disabled Campaign Group Makes It Easier To Meet MPs

A SCHEME to encourage more people with disabilities to meet their elected MPs has been launched in the UK.

So far more than 50 MPs have signed up to the ‘MP Dialogue’ scheme, organised by disability campaign group Radar.

The group advises people about how to prepare for meetings with MPs, tells them exactly what it is their elected representative does and, likewise, helps Parliamentarians better understand the needs of their disabled constituents.

Around 70 individuals and groups have requested Radar’s help so far this year and the range of topics discussed with MPs have included welfare reforms, bus route closures and being verbally abused in the street.

For more information, contact Radar via its website www.radar.org.uk or call   020 7250 3222

New Website Highlights True Effects of Spinal Injuries

EVERY Eight Hours is a new website dedicated to highlighting the life-changing effects of spinal cord injuries.

First launched in May to coincide with spinal cord injuries awareness day, the website features case studies from a variety of people struck down with such injuries and fully explains the devastating impacts it has had on their lives.

Among these is 14-year-old Daniel, who was only four when a car accident on holiday with his family left him completely paralysed from the waste down.

Also mentioned is former media highflyer Melanie, whose life changed forever 17 years ago when she suffered spinal injuries in a motorcycle collision.

Visitors to the site – so named because someone in the UK becomes spinal cord injured on average every eight hours – can access a host of fellow charities dedicated to the cause, including Aspire, Spinal Research and Back Up.

There are also links to the Every Eight Hours Facebook and Twitter pages, alongside information about donating to the campaign.

View it yourself www.everyeighthours.com   

Wheelchair Suppliers Lobby Government for Law Change

SUPPLIERS of some latest generation powered-wheelchairs are lobbying the government over laws preventing disabled children benefitting from them because of safety concerns.

The highly functional powerchairs are currently off-limits to young people under 17 with severe mobility problems because their heavy weight means they are classified as cars and are therefore illegal to be driven by children.

In response, some suppliers of the chairs, such as Etac UK and Newlife, alongside charities which helped fund them, are lobbying the minister for disabled people Maria Miller to get the law changed.

Frances Leckie, editor of online community website Independent Living, which revealed the action in its latest newsletter, said: “For families with a youngster who has a degenerative condition, such as muscular dystrophy, the idea that they are prevented from using a wonderful mobility aid that could help them participate more fully in life at school and at home, because of a ridiculously pointless rule, must be painful in the extreme.”

“For many, it will be too late by the time they are 17.”

Dolphin Lifts Honoured at top Bristol Business Awards

A GREAT sense of pride was felt by all after Dolphin Lifts Western Ltd was named a runner-up in this year's Bristol Evening Post Business Awards.

The achievement in the award's Family Business category was announced at a glitzy gala dinner event in Bristol's Grand Hotel on June 16.

Almost 100 firms from across the south west entered the hotly contested awards, with only the cream of the region's businesses making it through to the final stages, including Dolphin Lifts.

The criteria of the prestigious Family Business award meant only successful firms established and still run by the same family need apply – a requirement certainly fulfilled by Dolphin Lifts, which has enjoyed year on year profits under the ownership of two generations of the Wakefield family.

Managing director and company founder Steve Wakefield, whose eldest son Tom is also a director, said: “It made me feel very proud of everybody associated with the business.

“I am certain that we will go from strength to strength after this, as to us, this was a great achievement and a very prestigious award.”

Also present on the night was Steve's wife Avril, another company director, and their soon-to-be daughter-in-law Stacy Heaven, who recently joined the firm as office manager.

The accolade tops off a successful 12 months for Dolphin Lifts, which has seen the company awarded the contract to supply and install stairlifts and wheelchair access lifts for the tenants of Bristol City Council.

They also awarded an apprenticeship to 19-year-old Scott Coster from Hanham in Bristol as part of the Evening Post's 100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days campaign and achieved a nationally-recognised standard for excellence in customer service.

Review Launched After Figures Show Care Home Fee Cuts

THE government has commissioned a major review of funding for elderly care in England after new figures reveal care homes are facing substantial cuts in fees from councils.

Independent body the Commission on Funding of Care and Support is expected to wrap up the review by the end of July, after which it will present its recommendations to ministers on how best to balance the books.

Figures released from leading health economist William Laing, who carries out annual surveys of fees councils pay to care homes, show a nominal increase of just 0.5 per cent this year, which equates to a real term cut of 2.5 per cent once inflation is considered.

However, most councils have opted to completely freeze fees, which, for the care homes on their books, means a 3 per cent real terms cut.

The worry is this could mean many more homes face the same fate as Britain’s largest care provider Southern Cross, which recently narrowly escaped going into administration.

Just over half of all elderly care homes are paid for by local councils.

Mr Laing added that on average, councils were paying about £100 a week less than the true cost of care per resident.

This has enabled privately-run care homes to charge above the market rate for services, while many councils are forced to sell off homes.

To keep an eye on the progress of the review, visit the Commission on Funding of Care and Support’s website www.dilnotcommission.dh.gov.uk