News Update From Inclusion Scotland

Monday 19^th September 2011

Disabled people routinely experience discrimination in modern Scotland,

News Update

Monday 19^th September 2011

Abuse still part of everyday life for disabled Scots, says EHRC report

Disabled people routinely experience discrimination in modern Scotland, despite concerted efforts to end stigma and increase inclusion, according to the findings of a high level inquiry

Wednesday 21^st September 2011

Terminally ill people warned over possible benefit cut

Thousands of terminally-ill people have begun receiving letters warning them their benefits could be cut in April even though Parliament has yet to approve the changes.

Friday 23^rd September 2011

Limited uptake of personal budgets in Scottish pilot areas

Just 150 new personal budget arrangements were set up in three Scottish self-directed support pilot sites over the past two years despite “significant investment from the Scottish government”, a study has found.

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Information

Inclusion Scotland Membership

Inclusion Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation of disabled people.

We aim to draw attention to the physical, social, economic, cultural and
attitudinal barriers that affect our everyday lives as disabled people in
Scotland.

If you or your organisation would like free membership to Inclusion Scotland or information on joining Contact 100, see our website
www.inclusionscotland.org for more information, or contact  admin@inclusionscotland.org or telephone 0141 221 7589.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Prize Draw!

Capability and VisitScotland have teamed up to run a prize draw with the chance to win an accessible short break at Crieff Hydro.

We are asking disabled people to tell us about their best or worst holiday experience in Scotland so that we can find out what makes a difference to disabled people going on holiday.  You can enter online at www.capability-scotland.org.uk of phone 0131 347 1022 for an application form.

http://www.employabilityscotland.co.uk/forum/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Equalities In Health Website

The new look Equalities in Health web site is now live, with a fresh homepage, new content and updates. In line with NHSGGC''s Tackling Inequalities Policy, new sections include: Tackling Discrimination; The Health Gap; Marginalised Groups:  http://www.equalitiesinhealth.org/

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WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

The WebAIM site is packed full of useful articles on web accessibility and is worth checking out. There you can find information, resources and guidelines on web accessibility for disabled people.

http://www.webaim.org/

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Supporting You To Support Us

Supporting You to Support Us is a new resouce providing practical approaches in Citizen Leadership from the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability. The pack offers support and good practice examples for services that want to make the principles of Citizen Leadership a reality in their day to day work.

http://www.saifscotland.org.uk/showlog.php?weblogid=50

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Independent Living Fund Group in East Renfrewshire

This group’s aim is to encourage the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the Westminster Government and Holyrood to agree to establish a Scottish Independent Living Fund (S.I.L.F.) and by doing so, protect existing ILF recipients funding, streamline ILF to fit better with Scottish Direct Payment legislation and hopefully create funding opportunities for some of those who, prior to March 2010 would have been eligible to access ILF.

Their full proposal is available to read on their website - www.sdsforumer.org/ILF.php

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hidden in plain sight - the launch of the Disability Harassment Inquiry report

'Hidden in plain sight' - the final report of our groundbreaking inquiry into disability-related harassment. The report uncovers not only that harassment is a commonplace experience for disabled people, but also that a culture of disbelief and systemic institutional failures are preventing it from being tackled effectively.

As well as reporting on the extent of harassment, the report also includes a review of ten cases to look at what, if any, lessons have been learnt in each case, and makes recommendations to public authorities to help them deal with the problems uncovered.

We urge you to read the report findings and draft recommendations for public authorities aimed at tackling disability-related harassment. Please visit our website at www.equalityhumanrights.com/dhfi

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Clearkit - Resource For Recruiting Disabled People

Clearkit is an online resource to help employers recruit disabled people.  It provides a complete advice package with online access to specialist organisations and a full resource centre to browse, download and use offline:  http://www.clearkit.co.uk/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carers Advocacy Service for South West Glasgow

The Carers Advocacy Service has been set up to help carers over the age of 16 living in South West Glasgow.

The Carers Advocacy Service can help carers express their own needs, make informed decisions and take greater control of the decisions that affect them and those they are caring for.

The Service is free, confidential and independent from social work and health services and works to the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance Code of Practice.

Call Carers Scotland on 0141 445 3070 or email advocacy@carerscotland.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Accessible skiing in the UK

Disability SnowSport UK is a national charity aiming to make skiing accessible to all. They have recently opened up a branch of ski school in all of the UK indoor snow centres, using specially adapted equipment in order to gain the full potential out of skiers.

At the heart of their plans is desire to increase opportunities, fitness, mobility, freedom, social interaction, independence to all skill of people. It also aims to identify and nurture the abilities of young potential athletes.

A disabled person chooses both freedom and independence when they snap into bindings or transfer from a wheelchair to sit ski. They also make a choice to actively access adventure, a choice that is made possible by the work of Disability Snowsport UK, in spite of chronic health problems and physical and/or learning disabilities.

Contact: Holly Oughton holly@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Consultations, Research & Surveys

Inclusion Scotland consultation responses

Inclusion Scotland are responding to various consultations and are looking for your views on the following:

• Empowering & Protecting Consumers (responses by 27^th September) - http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/empowering-and-protecting-consumers

• Draft national Strategy for housing for older people (responses by 30^th September) - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/ROOPH/housing

• · Adaptations to Registered Social Landlord Budgets (responses by 30^th September) - www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1124/0119763.doc

• Sayce Review Consultation (responses by 17 ^th October) -  http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/specialist-disability-employment/

• Devolution of Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans (Responses by 31^st October) - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/07/29104056/0

• Consultation on Future of Policing (Responses by 1^st November) - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/Police/ConsultationFuturePolicing

If you wish to comment on any of the above consultations please contact Pauline: pauline@inclusionscotland.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Are you disabled and LGBT?

The Equality Network is working in close partnership with Inclusion Scotland and Glasgow Disability Alliance on the Out to Access project. The Out to Access project aims to improve service provision for disabled LGBT people. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The project is funded by the Scottish Government.

Part of this project involves doing research on the needs of disabled LGBT people. In order to find out what these needs are we are doing research to produce a report. This research will be based on the findings from four focus groups. The focus groups will discuss people’s experiences of accessing services and their ideas for making services more inclusive. There will be a discussion of the intersection between gender identity and disability and another on sexual orientation and disability. Disabled LGBT people are welcome to participate in one or both discussions. Personal assistants will be provided in all focus groups and travel costs paid. Venues will be fully accessible.

Edinburgh Focus Group

Date: 8^th October

Glasgow Focus Group:

Date: 15^th October

Dumfries Focus Group: date to be confirmed.

If you are a disabled LGBT person and would like to participate in any of the focus groups, please contact James Hiwatari at jamesh.volunteer@equality-network.org or call the Equality Network on 0131 467 6039 for a booking form. Your experience is extremely valuable. If you would like to give feedback but are unable to attend a focus group, you can do this by contacting James by e-mail or phone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Access to Work

Are you getting support to work through the Department for Work and Pensions' 'Access to Work' scheme? Have you experienced changes recently in the way your claim is handled or reviewed?

If you have been told your mobility or work support arrangements may be changed even though your circumstances have not, or if you have recently had a less satisfactory experience of this scheme than previously, we'd like to hear about it.

Please call Pauline on 0141 221 7589, or email: pauline@inclusionscotland.org.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Access to Cultural and Sport Activity

Inclusion Scotland are collecting information on behalf of Scottish Government on the following:

Games Legacy 2012 / 2014: Projects and events that can help communicate key messages around equal opportunities in sport; raising awareness of the variety of training, coaching and local activity opportunities available and how people can get involved.

If anyone has any information around their local projects and events please forward on to bills@inclusionscotand.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Independent review is launched into how personal mobility needs of people living in residential care are met

Lord Low of Dalston CBE will chair an independent review into how the personal mobility needs of people living in state-funded residential care are met.

Leading disability charities, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Mencap, asked Lord Low to conduct the 12 week review, which aims to gather evidence from individuals living in state-funded residential care and their families, care providers and local authorities.

Its brief will include how disabled people's needs are met, how they are funded and what responsibilities care home providers and local authorities have in relation to the mobility needs of residents.

The findings from the review will be published in the autumn enabling peers to consider the evidence and the review's recommendations as they debate the Welfare Reform Bill.

The Bill as it stands would give Government the power to stop paying the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment, which is set to replace Disability Living Allowance, to thousands of people living in residential care. It has already passed through the House of Commons and is set to move to the House of Lords in September.

The planned measure has prompted strong opposition from many disabled people, their families and disability charities, since it was announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.  There is a widespread fear that removal of the benefit could leave 80,000 disabled people without the funds to meet extra transport costs such as maintaining an electric wheelchair or paying for accessible transport, leaving them trapped at home.

The review will provide the opportunity for an independent, public and comprehensive examination of how disabled people's needs are currently met, how mobility support is currently funded, the requirements of providers and any concerns from parties involved in residential care.

To find out more about the review and to submit evidence, visit: http://lowreview.org.uk

The call for evidence is open until midnight on Monday 10 October 2011.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Energy Efficiency / Fuel Poverty Project

Do you have debt with your electricity and gas supplier? - Help is on the way to write off the debt. Do you think that you are paying too much for your home energy use? - We are here to help you reduce it.  Are you struggling to operate your heating system? - We can show you how to operate them. Do you require a new house appliance? -  We can help you get one.

The Money Matters Advice Centre, in Govan now operate an energy efficiency department which will provide specialist "impartial and free" advice on energy related issues to householders either in the comfort of your home or at a convenient location.

The team which comprise a project coordinator, 2 energy advisors and a support worker has been formed to help eradicate fuel poverty within the Glasgow geographical area.

For further information, please contact Donald Izuagba on 0141 445 5221 or Email donald@moneymattersweb.co.uk to see how we can help.

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Survey On Deafness

The Scottish Council on Deafness are keen to see as many deaf people as possible take part in a short survey, the results of which will greatly help them draft policies and responses to consultations on employment-related topics and also help with their lobbying work for improved employment services for deaf people in Scotland.

If you, or someone you know has a hearing problem then we would be grateful you/they would complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L7WCR93 If you have any questions, please contact Mandy Reid, SCoD Policy & Research Officer mandy@scod.org.uk

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Scottish Union of Supported Employment

Scottish Union of Supported Employment have announced their Diversity awards for 2011. They want to award and recognise excellence in employment practice, where employers support individuals with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds. There are 5 categories of awards:

• employer of the year

• employee of the year

• employment service provider of the year

• work initiative of the year

• diversity award

You can find out more at http://www.susescotland.co.uk/news/sbda-form-2011.aspx

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Events & Training

Inclusion Scotland AGM

Come along & help us celebrate our 10^th Birthday!

Date: Friday 30^th September 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

Venue: City Concert Hall, (2 Sauchiehall Street) Glasgpw

Guest Speaker: Kaliani Lyle, EHRC Commissioner for Scotland

All disabled people and organisations controlled by disabled people welcome. To book contact Angela at angelam@inclusionscotland.org

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October 1st  - People First March and Rally

As part of the There is a Better Way campaign STUC has recently announced the People First march and rally. It is working alongside Scotland’s faith, equality, anti-poverty and campaigning organisations to:

• Promote redistribution of wealth through fair taxes and living wage jobs

• Protect the hardest hit through decent services and fair benefits

• Build stronger communities for all.

The march will assemble in Glasgow Green from 11.30 am and move off at 12 noon with a rally to be held in Kelvingrove Park commencing at 1.30pm and finishing at 3.00pm.

Fringe Events

Following the rally, there will be a number of fringe events organised by affiliates, STUC Equality Committees and partner organisations. A further event is being considered by the Disabled Workers Committee and disability groups focusing on charging and the coalition Government’s draconian Work Capability Assessments and proposals for Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Church Action on Poverty plan to hold an event, possibly at one of the churches in the vicinity of Kelvingrove Park to highlight continuing poverty and how churches can mobilise to build sustainable livelihoods. Finally a gala evening is being organised to mark the 40^th Anniversary of the UCS Work In. This will take place in the Mitchell Theatre at 7.00pm. Further details including tickets sales can be found on the Glasgow Concert Halls website.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Hardest Hit: Action and events planned for the 22nd October

The Hardest Hit march and rally in London on 11 May was an outstanding success. Around 8,000 people turned up to march and lobby their MP, sending a clear message to the government that disabled people across the UK are not going to remain silent while their benefits are so cynically cut.

The government, however, is pressing ahead with unfair cuts to benefits and support which are vitally important to so many people. As the welfare reform bill makes its way through Parliament, we need to make our voices heard once more, loud and clear.

Disabled people and voluntary organisations across the UK are organising a series of Hardest Hit events across the UK on and around 22 October.

A strong showing by us will support Peers and MPs opposed to the bill. Find out what’s happening near you and how you can get involved. Go to the Hardest Hit campaign website, where there will be other actions available for people to take.

You can also keep in touch via the The Hardest Hit Facebook page or use the hashtag #HardestHit to join the debate on Twitter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LGBT equality - conference 1st October

Working Together, organised by the Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance, in Edinburgh on 1^st October.

This year’s conference is about partnerships for gender identity and sexual orientation equality. We’ll look at how to build effective partnerships with national and local government, between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and with other equality strands.

You can book online at http://www.equality-network.org/conference2011

Your organisation can have a stall or a display stand at our conference. Please contact jane@equality-network.org to discuss availability and price

Do you have a presentation about your group or an event or campaign that you’d like to tell people about? Contact sam@equality-network.org to arrange to do a 10min presentation during the lunch break.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It's All About Pictures: Putting Symbol Sets To The Test

This FREE one day event, on Friday 30 September in Glasgow, is for people with learning difficulties. Support workers are welcome if supporting one or more delegates.

At the event using a range of interactive methods and delegates will be asked their opinions on images taken from 5 different symbols sets, and help to compile a "likes & "dislikes" chart.

Further information and booking forms can be downloaded from http://www.ggig.org.uk/ggigevent.html

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Carers Summit 2011

26th October in Glasgow

Members, carers and organisations representatives are all welcome to attend. The day will include: Speakers on topics including Self Directed Support and progress on the Carers Strategy; A market arena of information stalls; Workshops and an opportunity for relaxation taster sessions.

For more information:  http://www.carersuk.org/news-scotland/carers-summit-2011

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Equality Act 2010: one year on

Glasgow, Wednesday 5^th October 2011 - A free conference

The Equality Act 2010 simplifies equality laws by bringing them together into one practical act whilst adding new provisions. The act sets out what unlawful discrimination means in employment, education and when using services.

This event will give us the opportunity to tell you about how the act works, what discrimination means and who is protected. It will separate unfairness from discrimination and demonstrate when discrimination might be unlawful and what you can do about it.

We will focus on individual protection against discrimination and by using decisions made under the act we will explain the implications of the legislation for you and your service users. There will be time for case studies and discussion.

You can book your attendance by emailing your details and any information that will help us facilitate your participation, including communications support, access or dietary requirements to:

equalityactscotland@equalityhumanrights.com

Or by contacting David Reilly: 0141 228 5967.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MSP Surgery for Deaf People

Fri 7th Oct from 10.30am-12.30pm at Touchbase, 43 Middlesex Street, Glasgow, G41 1EE.

Humza Yousaf, MSP is holding a surgery specifically for deaf people. He is a list MSP for Glasgow, but will be happy to try to help anyone that he can, wherever they are from.

Two interpreters and an electronic notetaker have been booked.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Glasgow Centre for Sensory Impaired People Open Days

• 3 October, 10am to 2pm (Official opening of the Sensory Resource Centre by Councillor Gordon Matheson at 11am);

• 10 November, 3pm to 8pm

At Centre for Sensory Impaired People, 17 Gullane St, Partick, Glasgow G11 6AH. For further information contact hazel.mcfarlane@sw.glasgow.gov.uk Reception: 0141 276 5252 Textphone: 0141 276 5299.

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Parliament Week - 31 October To 6 November 2011

Parliament Week is a new national initiative from the UK Parliament that aims to build greater understanding of and engagement with parliamentary democracy in the UK.

The inaugural Parliament Week will take place between 31 October and 6 November 2011. It will involve a programme of activities across the UK that explore how and why the House of Commons and the House of Lords matter to everyone. More information about Parliament Week: http://www.parliamentweek.org.

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Home Works

2nd September - 1st October, PA Gallery, Trongate 103, Glasgow.

Admission: Free.

Project Ability is pleased to present an exhibition of works made from a partnership with Sense Scotland and collaborations between artists from both organisations. The exhibition will showcase a rich mixture of eclectic objects including customised crockery, paintings, a bold sprawling cityscape made from skirting boards and other curios. More information at

http://www.project-ability.co.uk/exhibitions/home-works

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Social Inequality or an Ordinary Life?

Tuesday 5 October 2011

Perth Concert Hall

9.30am-4.00pm

Booking is now open for a conference hosted by the Scottish Autism Services Network SASN.

The Scottish Autism Service Network is a professional hub for information on autism. The need for greater knowledge about the impact of autism on adult life is led the Scottish Government to commission a project under the Learning Disability Change Programme, focusing on collaborative work for adults on the autism spectrum experiencing health, well being and social inequalities.

Through lectures, workshops and poster sessions this conference aims to raise awareness of such issues for adults on the spectrum and to debate the health, wellbeing, access to life chances and services for adults with autism.

The SASN Asperger Forum members will be actively involved in helping with this conference and in sharing their own experiences.

Places for this event will cost £50.00; students, family carers and individuals on the autism spectrum £25.00.

If interested in the impact of autism on adult life, then book through the Event page on the SCLD Website.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Human Rights in Health and Social care Seminar

3 October 2011

Venue:  Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

9.30 am - 1.30 pm

In a time of diminishing public sector finance, this event focusses on the implications of the Human Rights Act in the delivery of health and social care services in Scotland.

If you are interested in attending this event, please contact:  Martina Coccia at martina@mecopp.org.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New programme of support from Voluntary Health Scotland

The recent report from the Christie Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services recognises that engagement across the sectors is essential if we are to deliver effective services for people and communities.

To support third sector engagement with statutory services, VHS has been delivering a series of seminars which help third sector organisations develop their engagement strategies, ensuring they are invited to participate in the discussions which really matter to them.

The Invest to Engage seminars have been very successful to date, with the next one planned for November 16th in Edinburgh.

To complement the seminar series we have also worked with the seminar leader, Brian Cavanagh, to develop a programme of intensive support for members of the third sector who are responsible for leading and implementing their organisations engagement strategy.

Influencing the Influencers is a programme of support consisting of an initial four hour workshop where participants will develop an engagement strategy for their organisation, followed by 90 days of intensive support. During this period participants will be given unlimited email support and six, one hour telephone coaching sessions.

Due to its more intensive nature, Influencing the Influencers has limited places available and will be delivered in the VHS offices in Edinburgh.

For more information on either of the supports please visit the VHS website here or contact Bill Weir at bill.weir@vhscotland.org.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UK Disability Inclusion Training: Coaches & Volunteers

20th November, Aberdeen Sports Village, AB24 5RU Cost: FREE.

Aimed at people who coach, volunteer, or lead within a sport or physical activity setting, and who want further information about how to be inclusive in their delivery.  The 6 hr workshop includes practical sports hall-based opportunities to apply the Inclusion Spectrum and the STEPS principles to a range of sports and games.

For more information please contact, Andrinne Craig on 01224 578718 or ACraig@sportaberdeen.co.uk

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Protecting workplace equality - Glasgow, Thursday 27^th October 2011

You are invited to attend an event hosted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Employment Rights Network.

Three years on from the start of the recession and a year after the introduction of the Equality Act 2010, this free conference will re-enforce your knowledge of how to protect equality within the workplace.

This conference will give attendees the opportunity to discuss these issues with leading experts with the aim of helping you learn skills and strategies to better advise and represent others.

This event will be held in the Scottish Trade Union Congress Building, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6NG.

You can book your attendance by emailing your details and any information that will help us facilitate your participation, including communications support, access or dietary requirements to:

equalityactscotland@equalityhumanrights.com

For further information or assistance with booking, please contact David Reilly: 0141 228 5967.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HeadSpace 2011

Launch on 3rd October, 12 - 1.340pm, at Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Rd, Glasgow G34 9JW.

Celebrate the opening of Headspace 2011 with a flavour from the upcoming events which will take place during the month of October. The event begins with a light lunch from 12 to 12.50pm, launch programme runs 1pm until 1.40pm with poetry readings; drama preview and choir performance.

Please confirm your attendance by contacting Linda McIntosh by 22nd Sept on 0141 342 3214 or Linda.Mcintosh2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Train the Campaign trainer for The Stroke Association

The Stroke Association wants to set up a new Scottish campaigning network supported by stroke survivors, carers and others.  To achieve this, we need to do two things:

• train people affected by stroke to become campaign trainers

• train people affected by stroke to be effective campaigners.

To do this, we are providing free campaigning courses and the first one will train people affected by stroke to become campaigners.

The course will take place over two days Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November in Glasgow.  Reasonable travel expenses will be paid and where needed, overnight accommodation will also be provided.

If you have any queries or would like to book a space, please contact Lynne Kalman on: 07540513416.

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The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland Road Shows

Monitoring the rights and welfare of people with a mental illness, learning disability or dementia in Scotland.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland will host the first of its 2011 ‘Annual Roadshow’ programme at the Radisson Blu Hotel, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH,  on Friday, 28th October 2011, 1- 4pm.

Further road shows are being held at the Town and County Hall, Town House, Aberdeen on 18th November and the Park Suite, Rugby Park, (home of Kilmarnock FC) Rugby Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 1UR, on 25 November.

These public events provide an opportunity to hear about key trends and priority areas in the use of mental health and incapacity legislation relevant to mental health, learning disability and dementia care in Scotland.

Find out more about our new visiting function under PSRA, principles and human rights,  our new advice function, (how to get advice from us) and about our recently published guidance.

The events will also highlight what we found from our focussed /themed / monitoring visits and there will be an opportunity to ask your ‘burning question’, and hear our views on issues that concern you.

Please go to our website link - http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/about_us/mwc_events.asp for a copy of the programme for the day, directions to venues and an ebooking form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Poverty, Health & Disability Discussion Event

The Poverty Alliance - Poverty, Health & Disability Discussion Event

Friday, 28 October 2011, from 9.30 – 12.45pm - Renfield St Stephens Church Centre, Glasgow

Poverty, health and disability are inextricably linked and this leads

to a multitude of factors that keep disabled people and those with

long term health conditions isolated and trapped into poverty.

Advances in technology and medical care have not in most cases

led to better quality of life or equal participation of disabled people

in society.

Employer attitudes and barriers in the work environment have kept

most disabled people and those with health problems unable to

engage in the labour market. Many have no option but to survive on

the inadequate state benefits. The current economic climate,

stringent welfare reforms will leave more disabled people and those

with health problems struggling even more on low incomes.

To book a space at this event contact:  kathryn.collins@povertyalliance.org or telephone 0141 353 0440.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Highland Users Group DVD Launch

Monday 10^th October 2011 at 6pm -Eden Court

As part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival the new dvd from HUG called “Getting on with it” Living life with a mental health problem- will be shown alongside two other short films.

There will be refreshments and the tickets are free.  To book a seat call Keith on 01463 702247.

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Learning Link Scotland National Event

9.30am – 4.00pm 27th October 2011 at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

We will have Gavin Cargill from Value the Person speaking about using communication to improve people’s participation, well-being, belonging and openness to learning; and Mike Stevenson of Thinktastic, a community minded social marketing/creative design agency, talking about collaboration, creating solutions and expressing outcomes.

Members will be showcasing their work through Session Bites. Our members provide educational activities ranging from employability, to health, disability and revitalising our communities. There will be contributions from, and opportunities to network with organisations such as Linking Education and Disability (Lead Scotland), Deaf Action, Amina (the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre), Forth Sector Employability and the Glasgow ESOL Forum.

You can find further information on our website.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Disability and the Criminal Justice System

Wednesday 12th October 2011

Aberdeen Town House

10:30am - 12:30pm

A series of presentations from the Procurator Fiscal, the Police and Criminal Justice Social Work about the criminal justice system and how it can impact upon disabled people.

To book a place and advise us of any special requirements please

contact:

Roddy MacTaggart

E: RMacTaggart@aberdeencity.gov.uk

T: 01224 523014

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jobs & Volunteering

Voluntary Action Fund

Post:  Office & Systems Manager

Salary:  20,388

Location:  Dunfermline

Closing date:  7^th October 2011

VAF is seeking to appoint an Office and Systems Manager to support the Chief Executive, and manage the development and operation of the administrative functions including office systems, policies, premises and equipment.  The successful applicant will line manage and support Programme Administrators and provide PA services to the Chief Executive. The post holder will have combined experience of working at Office Manager / PA level, developing and managing office administrative functions and working with financial management systems.  The post is funded until end June 2012 in the first instance with the possibility of extension.

To find out more about VAF please call Jane Greenshields on 01383 620780, or email Jane.greenshields@vaf.org.uk.