Disability Forum

Disability Forum

The Disability Forum was set up after we discovered that 41% of our tenants consider themselves to be disabled (the most recent tenants survey in 2009).

This group is a way of harnessing your thoughts, experience, enthusiasm and ideas to help improve our awareness of the issues you face and modify our service provision to adapt.

Clearly we face budgetary issues, now more so ever, so we need your help, to help us to target our resources at the areas that will make a difference to you.

SCDC Disability Forum aims to involve SCDC tenants and leaseholders that are interested in helping to improve the quality of life of disabled tenants, or members of their household who are disabled.

With your help the Forum intends to represent all SCDC residents, and members of their household who consider themselves to be disabled. We hope to act on behalf of these tenants in relation to housing policy, and to participate and consult with disabled tenants who feel that improvements could be made to their quality of life; promote the rights and needs of disabled people in the planning process of new homes and in the maintenance or improvement of existing properties; to promote a greater awareness and focus on the interests of disabled people in relation to the decision making process within SCDC and where SCDC are party to any other such processes; and we hope in time to promote and encourage recreational and social activities involving disabled people and their families.

The Group became fully constituted by April 2011 and the Chair and Vice Chair were elected in May 2011. The group meets every 2 months.

Terms of reference

Code of Conduct

Equal Opportunities Statement

Minutes of the Meetings:

January 2012
November 2011
September 2011
July 2011
May 2011

At the July meeting of the Disability Forum a number of Actions were agreed for the next year and beyond. They include actions such as:

  • Involvement in Disability History Month 2011 (expected to be in December 2011.
  • Membership of and involvement in the Councils Equalities Consultative Forum to monitor progress against the Equalities action plan
  • Working with the Council to simplify our documents (Easy Read versions)

If you are interested in getting involved please contact the Chair: Chris Maitland 07870 372290 or chris.chairSCDCDF@live.co.uk (This link will open in a new window) or the Resident Involvement Officer Gill Anderton 01954 713377 or gill.anderton@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)

Disability History Month 2011

Tenants and staff of South Camdridgeshire District Council had 2 stands at the launch event of the UK Disability History Month at the Guildhall in Cambridge on 22nd November 2011. We showcased the work of the Disability Forum, our Community Transport information and initiatives, and our Lifeline alarm and support services for those with disabilities and/or who are elderly and vulnerable. The event was well attended and featured speakers such as Fran Williamson, a local Paralympian athlete. Tenant members of the Disability Forum attended the event, manning the stand and talking to visitors about the work of the Disability Forum.

People with disabilities consistently achieve great things and overcome many obstacles to achieve their dreams. Click here for an inspiring list of famous names all of whom have a disability of some sort.

Cambridgeshire Disability Information Service

Cambridgeshire Disability Information Service is a charity that provides support to people with disabilities ranging from help completing forms, to support groups. Take a look at their leaflet by clicking here for more details.

 

 

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