PPlog

This ConDem Coalition is exploiting the apparent helplessness of disabled people by taking essential money away from them and forcing vulnerable people, for example, people with mental health difficulties. I remember, when I was a practising social worker, the horror experienced by service users when they received a letter summoning them to undergo a medical examination (25 miles away in Norwich). Some became absolutely terrified at the prospect and the stress of having to get to and face the appointment led to one or two relapses and hospital admissions. Against local authority policy, I always took them to the appointment, went in with them and supported them through the interview acting as advocate. The doctors at these reviews were employed by the Benefits Agency and usually retired from practice. They were also usually empathic with the service user and mostly helped to reduce the terror of the interview. The new 'Workfare' reviews which every DLA claimant will have to und...

I was wrong. I said in a recent Facebook posting that I could find no mention of disability access on the Canaries' website. But I was right in that respect - I couldn't find it. It was only when Mark Harrison told me it was all under a sub-menu (of 'Club') called 'ability counts' that I dug it out. Now I fully agree with that heading with regard to disability but on a football site it can mean a host of other things, not least Norwich City's footballing ability! So a reserved apology for what I wrote on Facebook when, as a stranger to the site, I couldn't see anything about disability. So as recompense, here is a quote: ACCESS AND FACILITIES Posted on: Wed 20 Oct 2010 THERE are many facilities that have been designed to accommodate supporters with a variety of disabilities and to encourage all fans to come along and watch the Canaries play live at Carrow Road. Introduction Facilities for disabled supporters at Norwich City Football Club include places ...

The letter below has been passed to the Suvivor History Group by a primary contributor, Anne Plumb of Manchester. Anne, in turn, has given her permission for me to post it here. It contains information important to those on Disability Living Allowance in particular. Thank you Anne. Department for Work and Pensions Caxton House Tothill Street London SW1H 9DA Your ref: 18311AP Our ref: POS(2)10937/228 Email ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk www.dwp.gov.uk Jim Dobbin MP March 2011 Thank you for your letter of 18 March on behalf of Ms Plumb regarding the changes to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and incapacity benefits. Ms Plumb is particularly worried about how the changes will impact on people with mental health problems. We...

I don't really know fully what I'm writing here. In a way it's ramblings about partial ideas around mental health and people - people being the important label - with mentally disjointed experiences. Dreams and nightmares, I would suggest, are 'happenings' in which distortions of waking reality occur. And there is a question here around whether 'waking reality' is a globally owned phenomenon or different for each individual. Whatever, let's say, in a dream, we experience going through rooms and rooms with each change bringing an increasing sense of dread and horror, then when we wake, those neurons that have been banging their heads together all night continue to do so after we have fully woken. The corollary is that we then carry that sense of dread and horror through our 'waking reality' Do we? Ever? And could that happen with other distorted perceptions that happen - to some? most? of us - when we are asleep: voices; visions; threatening or de...

I read this valuable little report yesterday. It presents issues and dichotomies around disability labels, models of disability and rejections of the disability label by mental health service users/survivors. The report makes positive recommendations about furthering the debate but, in my opinion, the user contributions muddy rather than clarify matters. The subjects are seminal to the work being carried out to integrate physically, sensory, mental health and intellectual disabilities - essential if we are to progress further in our strivings for human and statutory rights. For me, the report is enormously helpful in providing a foundation for discussions of what are important questions and perhaps, if properly distributed, it could bring a better focus towards some resolution. Heddwch. Mike.

l'm privileged to take part in this important research and was interviewed by Dr Sarah Woodin of Leeds University Sociology and Social Policy Department yesterday at Norwich Station cafe. Met her off the train at 11.30 am and the interview concluded at about 1.40 - just in nice time for Sarah to catch her 2.00 pm train. Excellent research project and a good, enjoyable qualitative interview. Mike.

I have another correction. The TUC has done everything it can to ensure access to the march for disabled people. You can see this at http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/march-logistics/access-and-disability-2/ It now appears clear that the police, by closing off all access to central London and not making reasonable adjustments for disability access, are in breach of their Disability Equality Duty. I am referring this to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for investigation. Heddwch. Mike.