Independent living
for disabled people

Full list of news and events

Carers Rights Day 3rd December 2010

Theme for this year is 'Caring about Equality'

DASL 2010 AGM - make a date now!

We have set the date for our 2010 AGM which will be on Friday 3rd December 2010 from 11am - 1pm at the Accord Centre.

Lambeth’s Activate Sports Festival 18th & 19th September

Lambeth Recreation is again running the Activate Festival of Sport which was so successful last year. This years festival will be held on the 18 and 19 September 2010 at Kennington Park. Lambeth is currently in the process of organising the activities available this year but they will be broadly divided into:

• competition - organised sports competitions in a variety of sports
• demonstrations - exhibitions put on by various organisations and individuals (some of these were demonstration only and not open to public participation)
• have-a-go - these activities are open to all to try out.

South London workshop for stroke survivors to help shape stroke services!

If you have been affected by stroke within the past two years, please join the South London Cardiac and Stroke Network
to help shape and support future stroke services.

The SLCSN will host a workshop for stroke survivors and their carers in South London to get your views on what support patients need following a stroke.
These ideas will be used to influence future service changes.

During the meeting:

• You’ll be asked for your views on what support patients would like six
months after a stroke.
• Leading clinicians will update you on the latest developments in stroke
Treatment.
• You’ll have the chance to meet other patients and carers to share
Experiences.
• You’ll be able to find out how the SLCSN is working to improve care in
the region.

Caring with Confidence Self Management Course

Caring with confidence is aimed at improving support for carers over England by helping you develop your caring knowledge and skills by taking part in free local group sessions. There are seven generic sessions you can attend, some of which are aimed at particular groups of carers. To get started, sign up to the next introductory session; Finding Your Way.

Summer cycling sessions for different abilities at Brockwell Park

Wheels for wellbeing, the charity offering classes and various cycling workshops on a variety of types of cycles for people of all abilities and skill, are happy to be announcing their summer cycling classes, so why not try them and even combine them with a summer picnic at Brockwell park?

Have a look at their website http://www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk to see the kinds of cycles they have and do call them if you are not sure they have something for you. Cyclists need to be accompanied by parents/ guardians/ support workers. Non disabled siblings are welcome too.

Qualified instructors will be there to provide initial assessments and guidance.

If this is your first time, think of what to wear, flares and floaty skirts might not be the best options and be prepared to tuck your trousers in your socks. Best to also wear shoes that cover up you toes.

Aged 14-19, disabled and interested in working in the creative industries?

Shape is a disability-led arts organisation, they are holding this free information session for young people, parents and organisations to find out more about their exciting new youth projects and how to get involved. Shape provide free workshops, conferences, advice and peer groups to support the goals and aspirations of young people.

The disabled persons railcard gives 1/3 off rail fares

To qualify, a person must meet one of the criteria below:

• They receive Disability Living Allowance (at either the higher or lower rate for getting around or the higher or middle rate for personal care).
• They are registered as having a visual impairement
• They have epilepsy and have repeated attacks or are currently prohibited from driving because of epilepsy.
• They receive Attendance Allowance.
• They receive severe disablement allowance
• They receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement for 80% or more disability
• They are buying or leasing a vehicle through the motability scheme

The Greater London Authority’s draft Disability Equality Scheme is now out for consultation

You can read all the documents and find out more on the DES consultation section of the GLA website. You'll be able to complete an online questionnaire or download one to fill in later. The consultation deadline for the scheme is 15 October 2010.

To request hard copies of the scheme, the Easy Read version, accessible formats and/or the questionnaire please email .
You can also telephone the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100, minicom 020 7983 4458, or write to them at the address below:

Right Care, Right Place, public meeting

Ensuring people get the right healthcare from the right person in the right place at the right time, this event will include speakers from Lambeth’s Primary Care Trust.

Government’s Spending Challenge

The Spending Challenge is an open invitation from the government to contribute to the government’s Spending Review, helping to rethink public services and other areas of spending such as welfare. The recent Budget implies an average 25 per cent cut in spending for most departments. The Government want you to help find those savings, which is extremely tough as every group will be fighting for their view to be considered!

Workshop on London Accessible Housing Register at DASL

DASL is pleased to host a workshop by the London Accessible Housing Register for disabled people and their organisations from across south west London.

The London Accessible Housing Register (LAHR) has been developed to make better use of accessible housing stock, to enhance choice and inform future demand for accessible housing. It aims to deliver high quality information on the accessibility of properties advertised through Choice Based Lettings (CBL) schemes, the route many local authorities and registered social landlords are using to allocate properties.

However many CBL schemes do not carry sufficient or accurate information about accessible homes to allow disabled people to make informed choices about how and where they live. So we feel this to be a very useful workshop for disabled people feel more confident when registering with the council or move into bidding.

One card - National Trust’s free carer/ friend accompaniment for disabled people

According to the National Trust’s admission policy, a disabled visitor can admit the necessary companion, or carer, of a disabled visitor free of charge, on request, while the normal membership, or admission fee, applies to the disabled visitor. No criteria other than any hidden or visible disability, just ask for the card. Also for those who are severy disabled and need to have with them two carers you can ask for the Admit 2 card which will get free passes to two carers. Both cards get you the Access all places guidebook for accessible National Trust spots in teh whole of UK completely free sent to you, just make sure you request one, you don t need to be a member to receive it.

Streatham Festival Saturday 3rd July 1-6pm DASL will be there!

Dear all, this is to inform you that DASL’s information service will be at Streatham Festival this Saturday offering advice and information on benefits, transport, community care and any other type of query to all Lambeth based disabled people, professionals and family members. If you don t have any queries, you can just pop to say hello and have a chat with us, or pick up a leaflet for someone you might know might benefit from it.

The day is one of summer fun, street theatre, food, drink, music and dance to enjoy teh summer holidays, just make sure you take your hat and sunglasses and put some sunscreen to be safe whilst enjoying yourself. So see you there!

• Earlier news and events