Ballymoney Disability Programme

INTRODUCTION

Ballymoney Disability Programme is currently viewed by a number of statutory and voluntary organisations as a ‘model of good practice’ and we intend to maintain that status. This reporting period has seen some change in direction for the Programme and we are pleased to confirm that these changes have been positive.

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES

· Continue to empower Disability Forum through inclusion in the decision making process of the programme.
· Hold monthly Disability and Development Forum meetings.
· Promote availability of Community Resource Centre wheelchair.
· Support Northern Alliance of People with Disabilities in its research on Accessible Transport Strategy.
· Network with Voluntary and Statutory Agencies and lobby with them on disability issues.
· Review and expand Disability Website.
· Distribute and promote up-dated Disability Guide 2010.
· Initiate training on Personal Development issues for Disability Forum.

The Past Year:

Targets Achieved:

Revised ‘Disability Guide 2010’ published on Ballymoney Disability Programme website.

Disability Forum Meetings 10 meetings held

The following is a detailed breakdown of the disability and carer-related issues which the Programme assisted with in the past twelve months:

Access Issues:             20%
Benefits Queries:         24%
Blue Badge/Parking:   20%
Carer Issues:                 8%
DLA Forms:                    4%
Employment:                  8%
Miscellaneous:            16%

Disability Awareness: - The International Day for Disabled Persons 2009 was celebrated worldwide on Thursday 3rd December.  The theme for this year was “Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.”  Ballymoney Disability Forum marked the occasion with a visit to Parliament Buildings, Stormont, to raise disability and carer issues with our MLAs.

Several members of the Ballymoney Disability Forum, and members of Compass Advocacy Network, were met by Mervyn Storey (DUP), Daithi McKay (SF), and Kieran McCarthy (Alliance), a member of the All-Party Assembly Group on Disability.  A reception was held, at which we were able to speak with the MLAs on issues affecting disabled people within the local area, including transport, education, access, and the need to recognise that disabled persons have a right to advocate for themselves.

The issues raised were taken on board, and the MLAs present appreciated the fact that events such as the International Day for Disabled Persons were extremely important in highlighting the need to maintain a focus on disability issues within Northern Ireland, where over 20% of the adult population have some form of disability.  The need for a focus on the needs of children with disabilities was also discussed, particularly in light of the ongoing review of Special Educational Needs.

Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, inconjunction with Rural Community Network, held a Bill of Rights Consultation meeting on Tuesday 23rd February 2010.  The unanimous response from participants was that the NIO proposals were an inadequate response to the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland. In particular, members of Ballymoney Disability Forum expressed their disappointment at the lack of any recognition of the rights of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups within Northern Ireland.

Community Wheelchair: - If someone uses a wheelchair or knows someone who does and would like to, for instance, go shopping in Ballymoney (as yet there is no shop mobility in the town), they can avail of the service. There is a small refundable fee on return of the wheelchair.

Carers Information: - Among the many misconceptions about disability is the fact that only the person with the disability is affected.  Yet, in the local area, just under 10% of the population act as unpaid carers for a person with a disability.  Many of those carers are unaware of all the services that are available. 

Ballymoney Disability Programme and Ballymoney Disability Forum offer help and support to carers.  This includes advice on respite, benefits and other financial help available.  There are a number of carers on the Ballymoney Disability Forum, and more carers are always welcome.  It is important that the views and needs of those who care for people with disabilities are listened to and taken into account when shaping the future of disability services

Disability/Carers Advice and Support Service: - Ballymoney Disability Programme offers a Disability/Carers Drop-in Advice and Support Service. The project will address local needs as it has been identified through the experience and knowledge of Disability Programme Officer, and by gaps identified by the Disability Forum who represent areas within the catchment area of the project. Secondary research by the DHSSPS recognises it’s Investing for Health Strategy: ‘People with disabilities often face problems of social inclusion, lower incomes and difficulties in accessing services/transport. Also, Disability Action’s research highlights: ‘Lack of current and comprehensive information, and no ongoing analysis of government policies on how they impact on the lives of people with disabilities’.

Conclusion: - While we value the work and commitment of the Disability Forum, we feel that we could do with some ‘new blood’ and ask Community Groups to direct people to us. There is some concern for the Disability Programme if it has to leave current premises, as accessible premises may be difficult to find in a central location in town.