News
I recently read an article written by Wayne Roberts about the Canadian Urban Institute's new report entitled ‘Repositioning Age-Friendly Communities: Opportunities to Take AFC Mainstream’ that talks about a radical shake-up in the way cities are planned. It is urging 'universal design' that the disabled community in Canada have been arguing so long for, along with 'inclusive design'.
Founder and CEO Shaun Moffat says he is delighted at having such a dedicated and influential Patron. ‘Dancing Giraffe is one of the most exciting and innovative projects to create opportunities and meet the needs of disabled people to be made available for a long time. As soon as Priti heard about our work, she embraced the whole Dancing Giraffe concept and was eager to help us; we are incredibly appreciative of her support’.
More people in south Essex have access to an NHS dentist, thanks to an injection of cash from the Government.
NHS South Essex has been given £711,000 to improve access to NHS dentists and promote oral health after successfully bidding for the cash.
The funding has been used to ensure more people have access to an NHS dentist at practices across the area.
Ian Stidston, director of primary care at NHS South Essex, says: “This is fantastic news for people who couldn’t access NHS dental treatment before.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK and when it comes to cancer deaths; it’s the second biggest killer.
NHS South Essex is supporting an important national cancer awareness campaign, to highlight the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign aims to increase cancer survival rates through early detection.
Bowel cancer affects both men and women. Most people diagnosed with the disease are over 50 and those with a family history of bowel cancer are more at risk.
Stem cell research is considered to be controversial because scientists have to destroy human embryos. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that stem cell treatment will one day cure blindness along with almost every other disease you can think of. There are several clinical trials taking place in the US to assess how good stem cell treatment can be.
Leading charity Carers UK, supported by nutrition experts Nutricia, is calling for action to improve the nutritional care experienced by carers and their loved ones. Carers UK has published a new report into the impact on families struggling to manage the diet of ill or disabled relatives.
Two new potentially lifesaving schemes see Essex County Fire and Rescue (ECFRS) getting out into the community and helping those most in need. The Southend Volunteer Scheme is a partnership between ECFRS and the Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) to deliver increased fire safety to the town. Supporting the work of ECFRS’ own home fire safety technicians, volunteers are carrying out home fire safety visits to the most vulnerable people in the town.
Easyjet has recently been fined €70,000 (£58,000) for disability discrimination, for refusing to allow three unaccompanied wheelchair users on to flights in 2008 and 2009. The passengers were told they couldn’t travel because they didn’t have a helper to assist them if an emergency exit was needed. A similar case will come to court in March. And several years ago, Ryanair and Stansted Airport were successfully sued when a disabled traveller was charged for the use of a wheelchair to get from the check-in desk to the gate.
New Carers UK Chief Executive Hélena Herklots has described 2012 as a ‘crucial year’ for the 6.4 million people caring for ill, older and disabled relatives.
As local authority social care cuts continue to bite and the Government presses ahead with plans for substantial cuts to disability benefits the charity argues that it is time for a broader debate about how society supports older and disabled people and their families.
Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:
Disability Alliance, the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) and Radar have now unified to form 'Disability Rights UK'.
The new charity, Disability Rights UK will be led, run and controlled by disabled people, with disabled people making up at least three-quarters of its board members.
Disability Rights UK will focus on:
*promoting "meaningful" independent living for disabled people
*promoting disabled people's leadership and control
*breaking the link between disability and poverty
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