Hello
Welcome to this week's Independent Living newsletter
03.08.16 Contents:
Chronicles of a disabled job search
Access to Work
Accessible travel update
Disabilities in the Workplace
Derek's View – HomeTouch
Latest updates - Supported breaks
1. Chronicles of a disabled job search

Unusually this week, I seem to have a theme running through most of the newsletter – employment and the world of work.

You probably know that there is a wide gap between rates of employment in the population generally, and amongst disabled people. Reading Fraser Bowe's account of searching for a new job may give you an indication of some of the reasons why. Whatever the government says about the importance of improving the chances of employment for disabled people, his experience would suggest that schemes such as "Two Ticks" are little more than window dressing. 

Read his account of the search for an employer willing to give him an opportunity, here

 

Back to Top
2. Access to Work

Beyond the awareness campaigns, such as "Two Ticks", encouraging employers to give proper consideration to disabled job applicants, there is Access to Work.

This is a grant (not a benefit) to help with the additional costs of finding or keeping a job which may be faced by a disabled person. Self-employed people can also apply for Access to Work, if they need specialist equipment or support to enable them to continue their business.

There is more information here.

 

Back to Top
3. Accessible travel update

A new report has just come out based on disabled travellers' experiences of air travel, and it suggests there is some way to go, before people's access needs are attended to as readily and efficiently as, for example, their dietary preferences.

Research amongst passengers at nine UK airports shows that a considerable majority of them are not at all confident that their access needs will be met: even travelling from the same airport with the same carrier, the experience can be very different from one occasion to another.

Read more about it here.

 

Back to Top
4. Disabilities in the Workplace

Damon Brooks Associates, an agency representing disabled speakers and performers based in California, has been in touch about a project they are working on, celebrating diversity in the workplace.

Essentially, it is an anthology of success stories featuring disabled people at work, and they are looking for more contributions from the UK, as well as other countries. Funded by a grant from a charitable foundation, the coffee table book is a not-for-profit enterprise which will be distributed at minimal cost.

If you have a story of success in the workplace to share, there is more information here about how to submit it to the publisher.

 

Back to Top
5. Derek's View – HomeTouch

We have an interesting new showcase on Independent Living for HomeTouch, a care agency founded by NHS dementia specialist, Dr Jamie Wilson. His aim is to provide good quality care in the home, while at the same time ensuring that the carers earn a living wage.

Their database of carers allows you to search by postcode (currently, they operate in London and the Home Counties) as well as by specialist expertise, skills, experience of particular conditions, et cetera. The fact that they accept only 5% of the carers who apply to join the agency speaks to the rigour of their vetting process.

This is a link to the HomeTouch showcase

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

Back to Top
6. Latest updates - Supported breaks

We have had quite a bit of chat in the Independent Living Facebook group recently about holidays – where to go, how to organise support, funding possibilities, and more.

The P&O Cruise debacle, involving four visually impaired travellers removed from the ship at the point of sailing, had a happy ending, which you can read about in the group.

And Papworth Trust has been in touch about supported breaks at Kerry Farm in Wales, which sounds lovely – more details here.

As always, there are various ways you can get in touch with Independent Living: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

If you are reading a copy of the Independent Living newsletter that has been passed on to you by a colleague or friend, why not sign up for your own free subscription – it's quick and easy, and won't lead to your inbox being bombarded with other stuff!

Back to Top

Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances

Share on:
Frances Leckie
Editor

e: editor @ independentliving.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628
Skype: francesleckie
w: www.independentliving.co.uk
Follow us: