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RNID recognises Derbyshire Constabulary
September 4th, 2010
Posted by Ben Jones
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has recognised a police constabulary for its improved communications with deaf people.
According to the Star, chief constable Mick Creedon of the Derbyshire Constabulary was given the charity's Louder Than Words charter mark.
The accolade was given to the constabulary for its continued commitment to supporting deaf customers and training employees.
Some 18 members of staff have been trained to use sign language, helping it achieve what the charity calls “a high quality deaf service”.
Mr Creedon told the Star he was “delighted” to receive the recognition.
“I believe we have made great strides in the way we communicate with deaf and hard of hearing people in the county,” he said.
The chief constable added that the constabulary will continue to work closely with the RNID to refine its services.
Some nine million deaf and hard of hearing people currently reside in the UK, according to figures from the charity.
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Burstow: We must address the UK’s mental health problems
September 2nd, 2010
Posted by Charlie Powell-Brett
There is a strong link between poor mental health and poverty in the UK, care services minister Paul Burstow has claimed.
Writing for Community Care, the minister stated that mental health problems exacerbate existing social issues, often contributing to a cycle of worklessness and poverty.
Mr Burstow highlights the fact that unemployed people are four-times as likely to experience a mental health issue than individuals in work, while mental health costs the economy some £77 billion every year.
“What we really need is a wholesale shift in emphasis to give mental health parity with physical health in the NHS,” the care services minister stated.
“We must also draw on a broader canvas in preventing people from developing mental illness,” he added.
The minister concluded by stating that the Department of Health is set to reshape mental health strategy in the coming months.
Mental health problems affect one in four people at some point in their lives.
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RNID launches Salisbury Hear to Help project
September 2nd, 2010
Posted by Ben Jones
A new project aimed at supporting hearing aid users in Wiltshire has been launched by the RNID.
Part of the wider Hear to Help scheme operated by the organisation, the project is being funded by the Co-operative for 18 months with support from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.
The charity hopes to train volunteers, many of whom have experienced hearing loss, in order to help new hearing aid users adapt their lifestyles and get the most from the technology.
Volunteers may also carry out everyday hearing aid maintenance, replacing batteries or tubing on behalf of the user.
RNID chief executive Jackie Ballard said the service could prove “invaluable” in helping deaf people adapt.
“It's amazing to see the tremendous impact a hearing aid can have in transforming a person's ability to hear and live a full and active life,” she added.
The charity currently runs 12 Hear to Help projects across the UK.
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Services for young adults with complex needs ‘not appropriate’
September 2nd, 2010
Posted by James Lahey
Young adults with disabilities often feel abandoned when making the transition to adult services in the UK, it has been reported.
According to a report published by Young People in Focus (YPiF), young people with complex needs are not being adequately supported - a fact that is leaving them isolated and unable to cope socially.
Community Newswire notes that the Made to Measure report is based on a series of interviews carried out with service users, many of whom were not referred to new counsellors after turning 18.
One young person stated that there was “no preparation” for her leaving support services.
Rob Allen, chair of the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Alliance, of which YPiF is a member, told Community Newswire: “Adult services in a lot of cases are simply not appropriate for the 18 to 24-year-old age group.
“We need a systematic and tailored approach across the board for this age group.”
The T2A coalition also includes the Prince's Trust, the Criminal Justice Alliance and Young Minds.
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Capability Scotland to appear at Mobility Roadshow
September 1st, 2010
Posted by Charlie Powell-Brett
Capability Scotland will exhibit its national advice and information service at the 2010 Mobility Roadshow.
Advice Service Capability Scotland (ASCS) offers impartial, confidential advice on important disability issues, including specialist information relating to housing and transport.
The service is offered via free phone and also at the charity's head office in Edinburgh.
Set to take place on September 17th and 18th at the Royal Highland Centre, the Mobility Roadshow is one of the largest events showcasing mobility products and services in the UK, giving visitors the chance to try out new technologies that could improve their independence.
ASCS manager Lorna Thompson said the event would be a chance for disabled people, carers and industry professionals “to meet with the ASCS team to ask any questions and to find out more about the support services on offer to you”.
The roadshow is free of charge and begins at 10:00 GMT daily.
Other exhibitors will include Age Concern Enterprises, Disability Now magazine and the Calvert Trust.
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Disabled people remain “invisible”
September 1st, 2010
Posted by Ben Jones
Disabled people remain hidden in day-to-day life despite the majority of people being in full support of their independence and equality.
According to figures released by Scope, 40 per cent of people who are not disabled and do not have a disabled family member do not know any disabled people, while nine out of ten have never had a disabled person in their house for a social event.
Despite this, 91 per cent of respondents to the ComRes poll believe disabled people should have the same opportunities as everyone else in society.
Scope chief executive Richard Hawkes said the “shocking evidence” shows how individuals with disabilities remain “invisible” in everyday life.
“We are deeply concerned that the government's spending cuts will end up pushing disabled people even closer to the fringes of society,” Mr Hawkes said.
He added that the government should carry out a full impact assessment before making moves to slash disability living allowance and incapacity benefit, since this could further marginalise the disabled population.
The chief executive recently warned that government cuts to benefits are a false economy and could create “greater levels of dependency” among claimants.
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Problems with benefits increase
September 1st, 2010
Posted by James Lahey
There was an increase in the number of benefit problems during the second quarter of 2010, it has been revealed.
According to Citizens Advice, a general lack of understanding of employment and support allowance (ESA) rules among Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions medical staff has led to issues surrounding the benefit.
Combined with the “crude nature” of work capability assessments, this caused problems relating to ESA to rise 77 per cent compared with April to June 2009.
On top of this, issues surrounding carers allowance and disability allowance rose 17 per cent and 11 per cent over the same period.
Gillian Guy, chief executive at Citizens Advice, said that claimants on incapacity benefit will be moved to ESA this autumn.
“With so many flaws in the current system we predict the number of people who come to us for advice on this benefit will only continue to increase,” Ms Guy added.
ESA replaced incapacity benefit and income support for new claimants from October 27th 2008.
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NDCS project aims to improve London’s audiology services
August 31st, 2010
Posted by Imogen Welsh
The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) has launched a new initiative that is geared towards improving audiology services for young people.
Aimed primarily at 14-to-16-year-olds, Over to You is a one-year project that aims to improve people's experiences of services in London.
The scheme focuses on the boroughs of Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets and will be run in conjunction with a series of free events.
Audiology professionals will be involved in the initiative, which will include theatre, film and crafts workshops, as well as a tour of the Geffrye Museum.
Participants will be encouraged to tell the NDCS about their experiences with audiology services.
The charity is also calling on the parents of deaf children to voice their concerns and anxieties surrounding issues such as the transition between child and adult services.
“We want to make sure you have a positive experience when visiting the services, and by letting us know what you think, we can help improve them for the better,” the NDCS states.
The organisation is also currently conducting research into text relay services and how they can be developed to better support users.
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Mind questions X Factor decision
August 27th, 2010
Posted by James Lahey
Mind has expressed concern over the expulsion of an X Factor contestant due to her history of mental health problems.
Shirlena Johnson was removed from the programme after producers decided that she would be unable to cope with the pressures of taking part in the TV talent programme and that it could have a knock-on effect on her daughter, Mariah.
The charity stated that, regardless of whether or not Ms Johnson failed to disclose her mental health experiences, she should not be expelled from the show because of them.
“Having a history of mental illness does not mean that somebody is incapable of taking part in The X Factor or, more importantly, caring for a child,” the organisation stated.
Mind added that one in four people will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives and that almost 40 million antidepressant prescriptions were issued in the UK alone last year.
The single mother initially wowed judges at the X Factor with a rendition of Duffy's 'Mercy'.
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Ofcom launches text relay service research
August 26th, 2010
Posted by Ben Jones
Deaf people are being encouraged to take part in a major research project on the effectiveness of text relay and other services.
According to the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), the project will consider how deaf people use communications services and how they can be better tailored to their needs.
Carried out by Opinion Leader on behalf of Ofcom, the research will consider people who have used text relay services, deaf people who have not used them and those with experience of other types of relay services.
The charity is urging deaf people to take part in the project by taking part in interviews, online discussions and questionnaires.
All individuals taking part in face-to-face interviews or online discussions are eligible for a payment of £35.
“Have your say by taking part in research about the future of text relay and other services for people who are deaf, partially deaf with or without speech,” the NDCS states.
There are nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.
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