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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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 Posted: 31-01-2010, 09:05 Post subject: Re: Urgent Message |
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| Diversi-TIES wrote: | | Quote: | URGENT MESSAGE...
Wight Access Group wish to make it clear, that Alan Davies is no longer connected, in any way with this group.
Wight Access Group (W.A.G.) has NO connection with Diversi-TIES.
W.A.G wish to assure all those on their contact/mailing list, that we have not authorised Diversi-TIES or Alan Davie...s, to use ...their details.
Any use of the contact/mailing list, by anyone, other than W.A.G., is done without agreement or permission.
W.A.G. is sorry to lose Alan from our group, as he has done much work with W.A.G.
We appreciate his work, however, we must protect the professional integrity of W.A.G. and try to limit any potential damage/harm caused by any possible mis-use of W.A.G. data, thereby risking contravention of The Data Protection Act 1984.
Thank you for placing this VERY IMPORTANT notice. |
This message was recently sent out via Yahoo IWReecycleCafe and as you can see my name and that of the group I have founded are mentioned several times, without my knowledge or consent. The W.A.G. treasurer tells me the chair person was sanctioned to take this action at a recent W.A.G. meeting. Whilst I can accept that sanction might have been given to e-mail this notice to their mailing list, I cannot accept that sanction was given for this message to go out via an unrelated public forum such as the ReecycleCafe. I believe the chair took this action independently. I feel this lacks the integrity W.A.G. say they are trying to preserve. I will let you decide. |
fyi - the chair of the Wight Access Group is Jude Ashley-Walker, so please be careful she may make YOU her next target! |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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Ventnor Long Knives
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
Posts: 31
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| Posted: 31-01-2010, 19:55 Post subject: |
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Thank you Divversi-TIEs for your powerful critique on the failings of this abysmal council with regard to provision for the disabled, I'm not sure it could be summed up as discriminatory however given that they fail equally at everything they attempt. They truly should be ashamed of their slapstick incompetence.
Sorry that you were subject to the flippant attitude of the base members of this forum but please keep up the good work in the face of adversity regardless. |
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Ventnor Long Knives
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
Posts: 31
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| Posted: 05-02-2010, 18:45 Post subject: |
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I have been looking at a Blue Flag application form for the coming year Diversi-TIES which I acessed on this webpage http://www.blueflag.org.uk/blue1.asp
having read your account of the lack of disabled facilities on the Island, and the unsuitability of the few that are supplied, would not raising the difficulties that you and David encounter with the Blue Flag organisers, and gaining publicity of that, to possibly assist in your highlighting the injustices that are obviously encountered on a daily basis.
All too often authorities and organisations tend to exploit the plight of the disabled in their cynical pursuit of gaining recognition for being perceived to be caring, with their box ticking feigned enthusiasm, yet in reality little is actually materially achieved other than brownie points in pursuit of their own political ends.
Who knows you may even embarrass them into taking some real action.
29. At least one Blue Flag beach in each authority must have access and facilities provided for the physically disabled
29.1. Does this beach have access ramps for disabled people?
29.2. Does this beach have toilet facilities for disabled people?
29.3 Number of toilets for disabled people?
a. If no to either of these questions, please specify which Blue Flag beach(es) in the authority/organisation have access ramps and toilets for disabled people?
b. If there are no Blue Flag beaches in the authority/organisation with facilities for disabled people, please describe why not:
29.4. Do the access and toilet facilities for disabled people comply with national/international standards?
29.5. Is there reserved parking for disabled people? |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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Ventnor Long Knives
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
Posts: 31
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| Posted: 05-02-2010, 20:41 Post subject: Re: disabled access and w/c's at beaches on the Isle of Wigh |
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This was my point, you could press the blue flag organisation to amend their criteria by pointing out how you are being excluded by the inadequacies of that criteria, in that they only include the requirement of supplying bog standard (excuse the pun) disabled toilets.
But this is not meeting the needs of all disabled people. Its just the box ticking culture as usual, even though they claim to be genuinely concerned over facilities for disabled being provided. What use is that for David? Is he less important to the authorities due to the severity of his disability?
If the likes of the blue flag people don't change their criteria for awards the council will only do as much as is necessary to meet that criteria.
These awards are all councils care about, they are obsessed with them, therefore if you could persuade the blue flag people that their award criteria is failing disabled people, and they were to change it to meet the needs of David and the others in David's position you would really be getting somewhere as councils all over the country are striving for these pointless awards. Just look at what the island council are doing to the rights of dog owners if you are in any doubt at the lengths the council will go to in order to satisfy the requirement of this award. Its their Holy Grail.
But unless you state your case to the blue flag people and inform them that the council are not meeting your needs, how are they going to know? and what have you got to lose? |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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| Posted: 06-02-2010, 23:39 Post subject: Re: disabled access and w/c's at beaches on the Isle of Wigh |
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| Ventnor Long Knives wrote: |
This was my point, you could press the blue flag organisation to amend their criteria by pointing out how you are being excluded by the inadequacies of that criteria, in that they only include the requirement of supplying bog standard (excuse the pun) disabled toilets.
But this is not meeting the needs of all disabled people. Its just the box ticking culture as usual, even though they claim to be genuinely concerned over facilities for disabled being provided. What use is that for David? Is he less important to the authorities due to the severity of his disability?
If the likes of the blue flag people don't change their criteria for awards the council will only do as much as is necessary to meet that criteria.
These awards are all councils care about, they are obsessed with them, therefore if you could persuade the blue flag people that their award criteria is failing disabled people, and they were to change it to meet the needs of David and the others in David's position you would really be getting somewhere as councils all over the country are striving for these pointless awards. Just look at what the island council are doing to the rights of dog owners if you are in any doubt at the lengths the council will go to in order to satisfy the requirement of this award. Its their Holy Grail.
But unless you state your case to the blue flag people and inform them that the council are not meeting your needs, how are they going to know? and what have you got to lose? |
Thank you for your advice and support. |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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| Posted: 09-02-2010, 20:41 Post subject: Diversi-TIES/Changing Places Consortium Campaign |
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| We need your help in making the provision of Changing Places on the Isle of Wight and throughout the UK a reality. I, Diversi-TIES, can be contacted on e-mail - alwidav@sky.com. I will then send you more info on how you can help. |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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| Posted: 10-02-2010, 17:46 Post subject: Support the IoW Changing Places Campaign.... |
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| Please show your support for this campaign. Visit the 'Diversi-TIES - no barriers to disability' website - www.diversi-ties.webs.com, go to the petition page, copy, print, complete the petition and return it to the name/address given. Many thanks for your support. |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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| Posted: 12-02-2010, 18:11 Post subject: Fiona & Anne |
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Fiona is 31 years old and enjoys a variety of activities, including shopping, bowling, and visiting friends. Fiona is often unable to get and about to do the things she loves however – simply because there is nowhere for her to use the toilet.
Fiona has profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex medical needs. She uses a wheelchair and wears a special body brace and collar to enable her to sit upright. She is gastrostomy fed and is totally dependent on others for 24-hour care, much of which is provided by her mum, Anne.
The lack of suitable toilet facilities in public places puts a huge restriction on both Fiona's life and her family's.
'We can only travel a short distance from our home," Anne explains, "and every outing we make has to be planned down to the smallest detail so that we can get home in time to change Fiona's continence pad.
"If we must travel any further from home or have to be out for a long time, we have to put double pads on Fiona or restrict her fluid intake. Both of these options are far from ideal for Fiona and put her health at risk."
Fiona and Anne need to use a Changing Places toilet when they are out and about, including a height adjustable changing bench where Fiona's pad can be changed and her body brace readjusted. Fiona also needs a hoist system so she can be helped to transfer safely from her wheelchair to the changing bench, and it is essential that there is plenty of space.
Because there are almost no Changing Places toilets in the UK, Anne has been forced to try and find her own solution to the problem – but this is no longer an option.
"The negative experiences of using a dirty toilet floor to lay my daughter down on prompted us to buy a camper van. We used this so that we could change Fiona inside it when we went out for the day. But this involved lifting and manoeuvring within a very limited space which put my back at risk. This is not even an option for us any more, because of my daughter’s size and because, for medical reasons, I can no longer lift her. If we go out now my daughter has to be uncomfortable until we get home and she can be soaked through!"
Fiona and Anne's life would be made so much easier if Changing Places toilets were available in public places, like city centres, shopping complexes and arts venues.
"If there were Changing Places toilets in public places it would make an enormous difference to us. For a start it would allow my daughter the basic human need of accessing appropriate toilet facilities. It would also allow our family to enjoy a life taken for granted by the rest of the population." |
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Diversi-TIES
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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| Posted: 13-02-2010, 10:17 Post subject: comment from Blue Flag |
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Dear Diversi-TIES,
Many thanks for your e-mail concerning the Changing Places Consortium and the Blue Flag programme. The latter is an international programme run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The details of the programme can be found at http://www.blueflag.org/. Keep Britain Tidy operate the scheme in England on behalf of FEE.
The standards for the Blue Flag Programme are set down by FEE. At the current time, when a Local Authority applies for a Blue Flag, they must ensure that at least one Blue Flag beach in the authority (not all of them) has access and facilities provided for the physically disabled in line with national regulations. The facilities must comply with any national regulations on access and provision for all.
However, Keep Britain Tidy also operates a national beach award scheme - the Quality Coast Award (QCA). This award recognises three distinct types of beach - 'Resort', Bathing' and 'Non-Bathing'. Each beach applying for the 'Resort' beach QCA is required to ave disabled toilets in place, or plans to install them within three years.
I suspect however, that the disabled facilities as currently assessed and accredited by Keep Britain Tidy would not meet the more demanding criteria of facilities as described on your Changing Places website.
During 2010 we will be working with local authorities and others to develop accessibility statements for each QCA beach. Where necessary, these will then lead on to the development of supporting improvement plans.
A longer term aspiration may be to include more stringent requirements on disabled provision at beaches in line with the requirements of your programme but I'd need to discuss this with our local authority representatives to understand more fully the practicalities involved.
We have an advisory group meeting in March and I'll raise the issue for discussion there as a starting point for discussion and let you know where we get to.
Best Wishes,
Richard
Richard McIlwain
Coastal Programmes Manager |
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Wight Portal
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 89
Location: Carisbrooke
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| Posted: 13-02-2010, 10:24 Post subject: |
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| Are the now being revamped toilets on Ryde sea front going to include more than just wheelchair access? |
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