Topics of interest including a roundup of disability and health news from the UK and Europe 4 October 2008.
Roadtown, Tortola - Government has begun the groundwork to develop a Disability Policy for the Virgin Islands. This is being done as Government moves towards achieving its vision of better responding to the special needs of the Territory's disabled population. Government's vision is for all persons with disabilities to be "assisted in a dignified and caring manner that enables persons with disabilities to participate fully in society and become productive and proud citizens contributing to the development of themselves and the wider Virgin Islands."
St John Ambulance has been awarded the Two Ticks Symbol, which demonstrates the charity's dedication to employing, retaining and developing the careers of people with disabilities in the organisation. The Two Ticks Symbol has been awarded by Jobcentre Plus for recognition of the leading first aid charity's promise to meet the required five commitments.
A conference has been held in Cornwall to mark the launch of a project to help disabled children receive childcare. Parents and carers of disabled children attended the Accessible Childcare event at the pavilion in the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge. Cornwall is one of just 10 councils to get a Government grant to improve the provision of care to disabled children.
A UK charity says that many of the 1.5 million people with learning disabilities in the UK are being denied an effective voice in their care, and would be better served with the use of new multimedia technologies. The Rix Centre said that new technology, including digital cameras, social networking sites and other multimedia sites, could be used to revolutionize the care of people with disabilities.
It is generally acknowledged that the majority of the UK population has insufficient levels of protection to maintain their financial well being in the event of long term sickness or disability, but a recent survey has shown up just how bad the situation has become. According to the survey, which was conducted by YouGov, less than one in six people have made suitable and adequate financial plans to maintain their standard of living, whether this is through savings and investments, or by taking out a variety of protection plans, such as life, critical illness, income and loan protection policies.
Worcestershire County Council's Learning Disabilities Service are giving people with disabilities in Worcestershire a high standard of service according to a recent Ofsted inspection. The County Council's Learning Disability team, at County Enterprises, was praised last month for their work in supporting people with disabilities enter into paid work. Ofsted judged the team's County Enterprises Workstep programme to be good with outstanding aspects, and recommended that two areas of it are published on the Ofsted "good practice" website.
74% of disability recorded in the UK is dyslexia related. Research carried out by assistive technology firm in Hampshire claims that 74% of disability recorded in the UK is dyslexia-related, making dyslexia the biggest single disability issue.
Bosses at a national charity for disabled children are appealing for support as they feel the pinch of the credit crunch. Trudi Beswick, CEO of Caudwell Children, said figures provided by YouGov show rising living costs and increased utility bills are threatening to endanger the well-being of thousands of families living with a disabled or seriously ill child. Further reading
Durham Police are leading a multi-agency investigation into the care received by a man at a Darlington care home for people with learning disabilities, which is now set to close. The 75-year-old man, who lived at the Victoria House care home, died last month from septicemia.
The General Dental Council opened its new Specialist List in special care dentistry on 1 October 2008. Special care dentistry is concerned with improving the oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of a number of these. Further reading
In what has been labelled Britain's biggest ever employee assistance programme (EAP) deal, the country's largest disability insurer, Unum, has revealed plans to roll out a free EAP service to all of its group income protection (GIP) clients. The monster deal, signed with multinational business services giant Ceridian, means that 900,000 people across the UK will be given access to an EAP service provided by Ceridian. Neither employees nor their employer will incur any charge for using the basic form of the service, with Unum picking up the bill. Further reading
Coming Events:
PARIS - Senior citizens are to join the party as Paris stages an annual round-the-clock culture festival Saturday, with bus shuttles and teams of young helpers on hand to shepherd them through the night. From Saturday evening to 7:00 am Sunday, 40 specially-trained students will be on hand to guide the elderly through the event, with others posted at each venue, Paris city hall said in a statement. Shuttles will also run between three major retirement homes to key venues across the capital.
Bath North East Somerset Council's healthier communities panel is holding the event on Wednesday October 15. Items under discussion will be social care, some housing support services, support for independent living for disabled people, and benefits that help with the extra costs of disability in later life. The meeting will take place between 2pm and 7.30pm at the Guildhall.
The Manchester Council on Aging is offering lap swimming, water exercises and indoor walkin through the Hamilton Wenham Recreation Department and The Bennett Center at Gordon College. These programs are available to Manchester seniors and the Council on Aging van will be available for transportation. The van will pick up at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the walking club. Call the COA for information or to reserve a ride, 978-526-7500. The Council on Aging has also planned a trip to Jewell Towne Vineyards in South Hampton, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 7. And The Manchester Council on Aging is will hold a "Dixieland Dance" on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 2-4 p.m. at the Amaral-Bailey Post 113 American Legion Hall.
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