Disabled people struggling to recover from their experience during the pandemic
Disabled people struggling to recover from their experience during the pandemic, according to new research to mark the third anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown. Disabled people make up almost 60 per cent of those who have died from Covid, and research by the disability charity, Sense, shows that one in two (49 per cent) disabled people are yet to recover from the wider impacts of the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic, loneliness and isolation spiralled, with three in five (61 per cent) disabled people describing themselves as chronically lonely. The figure, today, remains worryingly high at 50 per cent. Two in five (40 per cent) disabled people are still worried about catching Covid, and over half (56 per cent) believe their needs have been largely overlooked in the government’s response to the pandemic. One in two (49 per cent) disabled people say they are yet to recover from their experience at the height of the pandemic, according to a new poll by the national disability charity, Sense, published ahead of the third anniversary of the first national lockdown on Thursday 23 March. Disabled people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. They make up almost 60 per cent of those who have died from Covid, and cuts to services contributed to isolation and loneliness levels spiralling. At the height of the pandemic, three in five (61 per cent) disabled people described themselves as chronically lonely (i.e. feeling lonely often or always). Today’s poll, however, shows that while the figure has reduced, it remains worryingly high, with half (50 per cent) currently describing themselves as lonely always or often. More than two thousand disabled people were surveyed, with the findings revealing that fears around Covid and frustrations at a lack of support, have not gone away. Two in five (40 per cent) disabled people said they are still worried about catching Covid, and over half (56 per cent) feel their needs have been largely overlooked by the government. Less than a third (28 per cent) of disabled said they were confident that the government will be better prepared to support them in the event of a future health emergency. Head of Policy at Sense, Sarah White, said: “Disabled people make up almost 60 per cent of those who died of Covid, and millions of disabled people experienced hardship and isolation during the pandemic. As we approach the eve of the third anniversary of the first national lockdown, disabled people tell us they have felt unsupported, and their needs overlooked, during the pandemic. Many remain worried about catching Covid, while loneliness levels, which spiralled during the height of the pandemic, remain high, raising huge concerns around mental health. The upcoming public inquiry is an opportunity to learn from the mistakes that have happened during the pandemic and ensure that never again are disabled people treated as second class citizens. We must seize it.” The Covid-19 inquiry will begin hearing evidence on June 13. Case study (Pictured – Natalie Williams, Photo Credit: Sense) Natalie Williams (40) from Ebbw Vale in Wales, lives with her husband and two children. She has Usher syndrome. Born deaf, she began losing her vision in her late 20s. Losing her eyesight has meant she’s had to work hard to build up her independence, but she says her experience during the pandemic has knocked her confidence and made her very anxious. As a result, she now rarely goes out. Natalie Williams said: “I was going out on my own, I was going on the buses, on the train, and I felt comfortable doing it. Since Covid I’ve lost all that and I can’t seem to get it back. I’m just too anxious to go anywhere, to do anything. I’m stuck in the house all week because I don’t go out unless I’ve got someone with me. I’ve lost all my independence really and am struggling to get it back. It’s like nobody really cares.”
Try the latest mobility aids at Naidex!
The much loved Mobility Test Track is back on 22-23 March at NEC Birmingham. The track will include a variety of artificial off-road terrain, ramps, and obstacles in order to gauge manoeuvrability and suspension across all brands of scooter, wheelchair and powerchair available at the event. This provides visitors with a true representation of product performance before purchasing. We’re excited to announce this year’s sponsors: Alongside this great feature, access some great sessions, discover products and assistive technology from over 200 exhibitors, take on the adaptive climbing wall, attend live comedy performances – there really is something for everyone. We can’t wait for you to join us! The Naidex Team Parking at the NEC is free for blue badge holders, for more information on accessibility check out the event’s website.
Raising awareness of hidden disabilities
1 in 5 people have a disability in the UK alone, 80% of those have an invisible disability which is not immediately apparent to others or they may have a combination of both visible and hidden disabilities. Hidden disabilities can range from visual, physical, auditory or neurological disabilities. From autism and ADHD to cognitive impairments such as dementia, learning disabilities as well as various mental health conditions. They can also be respiratory and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic pain and sleeping disorders as well as sensory loss such as speech impairment, sight loss, hearing loss, or deafness. Hidden disabilities in more depth Mental health conditions 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England with the overall number of people that are reporting mental health problems increasing in recent years. Anyone can have a mental health problem, some of the following are the most common conditions: Other, more complex mental health conditions could be: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Bipolar, Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and schizophrenia. Neurological disabilities Neurological disorders come from a dysfunction of the brain or nervous system. Some examples of hidden neurological disabilities are: Sensory loss / processing difficulties Sensory loss or impairment is the broad term used to describe conditions such as deafness, blindness, visual impairment, hearing impairment and deafblindness. Sensory loss is when one or more of your 5 senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste) does not function properly. Cognitive impairment If someone has cognitive impairment they struggle with mental abilities such as remembering things, learning new things, concentrating, language problems and making decisions in their everyday life without help. Dementia and Alzheimers disease are just two examples of cognitive impairment. Non-visible physical health conditions There are various types of physical disabilities which are non-visible. Diabetes type 1 and type 2 are both invisible disabilities, as is asthma. The conditions which result in chronic pain are also hidden disabilities. Crohn’s disease, Colitis, Coeliac disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Endometriosis and Multiple Sclerosis all class as an invisible disability. Long Covid could now even class as a hidden disability, symptoms are wide ranging and some can be quite severe. Speech and communication disorders Some forms of speech and communication disabilities are: How to identify a person with hidden disabilities or make others aware Daily life for a person with hidden disabilities can be more challenging but, without visual cues, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge or understand the barriers they might face or that they have a disability at all. The sunflower is a widely recognised symbol for non-visible / hidden disabilities. Most people with a hidden disability will wear the sunflower lanyard, others may carry a sunflower card with them or wear a sunflower badge. The sunflower acts as a sign or an indication that the person wearing it may need extra help, support or patience from those around them. For more information on hidden disabilities or the sunflower symbol visit: https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/
Matthew Campbell-Hill appointed as Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Department for Transport welcomes new Chair tasked with providing advice to Government and driving accessibility improvements. The former Team GB wheelchair fencer brings board-level experience from multiple government departments. Accessibility Minister Richard Holden: “DPTAC plays a vital role helping us ensure equal access to travel in the UK and I’m delighted to welcome Matthew as the new Chair.” The Department for Transport appointed a new Chair of DPTAC, on 21 February, to represent the needs and rights of disabled people across the UK’s transport network. Matthew Campbell-Hill, a tech regulation expert and former Team GB wheelchair fencer, will work alongside the Department for Transport to advise Government on the needs and rights of passengers, and to ensure its projects are inclusive and accessible for all. Having held a number of Government advisory positions and with a Senior Fellowship at the University of Birmingham, Matthew brings to the role extensive knowledge and experience of working in complex industries. Roads and Local Transport Minister Richard Holden, who has cross-DfT responsibility for accessibility said: “Everyone deserves the right to get from A-to-B with ease and DPTAC plays a vital role helping us ensure equal access to travel in the UK. “I’m delighted to welcome Matthew as the new Chair. His background speaks for itself in his breadth of experience and I look forward to working closely with him in the coming months.” Building on the work of previous DPTAC Chair, Keith Richards, who held the role for over eight years, Matthew will provide an independent, expert voice tasked with holding the government to account in ensuring disabled people can travel safely and independently across all modes of transport. The new Chair currently serves as a non-executive director at the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), where he heads up the Health, Safety, and Wellness Committee and leads on advice on vehicle autonomy. He previously held a non-executive director position at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and was part of a government-commissioned review to improve diversity within the public appointments process. With more than ten years of experience as a wheelchair athlete, including multiple World Cup medals and winning the National Championships in 2012, Matthew Campbell-Hill brings a wealth of experience and a personal perspective to the role of DPTAC Chair. Matthew Campbell-Hill said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the new Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. “As a seasoned traveller with lived experience of disability, I am looking forward to working with the excellent team in place to help them continue to share their expertise with the government. The transport landscape has rapidly evolved in recent years, and I am passionate about leveraging this momentum to improve accessibility and inclusiveness across the UK’s transport network. “I would like to thank Keith Richards OBE for his tireless efforts ensuring that all disabled people and their carers have had representation at the highest political levels.”
Clear Safety Commits to Disability Confident Culture
Clear Safety, the safety, compliance and risk management consultancy has pledged its commitment to embracing inclusivity within its business operations by gaining formal recognition as a Level 1 registered Disability Confident Committed organisation. The government run Disability Confident scheme aims to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled people and those with health conditions. Following the stringent approval process, Clear has been acknowledged as a business that offers a workplace that empowers employees to talk about disability and wellbeing at work, whilst also establishing an environment that provides equal opportunities for disabled people, both in terms of new and existing staff. As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, Clear was required to provide hard evidence that the following key principles are firmly embedded in the Clear culture: The Disability Confident Committed status is one of the first outcomes of the consultancy work being undertaken with The Juniper Studio – a multi-disciplinary agency whose services include consulting on customer relationship management integrations and training in Agile methodologies. Working with the specialist consultants at The Juniper Studio, Clear’s has pledged to focusing on promoting accessibility and inclusivity within all its business operations. Commenting on the successful Disability Confident Committed registration, Nicki Lever, co-founder at The Juniper Studio says, “One of the main traits that has been prominent throughout our work with Clear Safety is their inclusivity. They have consistently gone above and beyond for their team, supporting with a range of situational, temporary, long term and permanent disabilities. Each member of the Clear Safety team contributes to the inclusive culture, and we hope to see a range of inclusive activities including work experience, work trials and job shadowing that will further progress the company on its Disability Confident journey.“ Matt Westby, Director at Clear Safety says, “We are delighted to have achieved Disability Confident Committed organisation status. Inclusivity and diversity have always naturally featured within the Clear culture but as the business continues to expand, we felt that the time was right to secure formal recognition of this. We welcome taking the next steps to become a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2).”
The Belfry offers unlimited, fully funded access to mental health
The Belfry offers unlimited, fully funded access to mental health counselling and therapy in partnership with The Burnt Chef Project The Belfry Hotel & Resort, located in Warwickshire, is proud to be offering fully-funded, unlimited mental health counselling and support for all its employees in collaboration with The Burnt Chef Project and Thrive Mental Wellbeing. Gaining help with mental health can currently be a lengthy process, so the collaboration will provide Belfry employees with instant round-the-clock access to a number of resources to help the prevention, early detection, and self-management of common mental health conditions. The partnership will see Kris Hall, CEO and Founder of The Burnt Chef Project and his team deliver mental health training to all managers at The Belfry, who will also have access to a suite of online training modules, to help with their understanding of these conditions and to further support their teams. Each employee will have their own personal access to the Thrive Mental Wellbeing app allowing them to choose how they want to interact and receive support from in-house therapists, including video calls, phone calls or messaging. Kirsten Price, Head of People at The Belfry, comments, “It’s no industry secret that the mental health and wellbeing of our workforce is a big topic of conversation and rightly so. At The Belfry we want to continue our market-leading approach to supporting our teams whilst remaining employer of choice, and our partnership with The Burnt Chef Project helps us do exactly that. The Burnt Chef Project is helping us as an industry to start those important conversations, change the way in which we talk about, and manage, mental health and help us make a real difference. We’re looking forward to launching a range of initiatives with The Burnt Chef Project that aim to build awareness whilst also educating and supporting our teams to ensure that they can remain healthier in the workplace” Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project, said, “84% of hospitality professionals experience mental health issues within their career, and nearly half of these people felt uncomfortable talking about their concerns. This support tool enables The Belfry to move to a proactive position so individuals in their team can be truly in control of their wellbeing. It’s a vital component of not just providing easy access to mental health services to their teams and improving workplace wellbeing but also providing critical support to the Managers we will be training. With over eight million people on the NHS waiting list for therapy currently it’s essential that we can provide access to both those experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing but also to those who may need more help to support their peers and colleagues”. Chris Eigelaar, Resort Director at The Belfry Hotel and Resort, comments “We recognise the impact and serious nature of mental health wellness on our teams and with over 800 employees at The Belfry, it’s crucial that we provide the right support. Partnering with The Burnt Chef Project will give us access to Thrive Mental Wellbeing, an app that will be readily available to every employee, right in their pocket. I am committed to our team’s wellbeing and look forward to helping create a healthier and more sustainable industry”. For more information, please visit www.thebelfry.comTelephone: +44 (0) 1675 238600 | Email: enquiries@thebelfry.com Instagram: @thebelfryhotelandresort | Twitter: @TheBelfryHotel | Facebook: The Belfry Hotel & Resort LinkedIn: The Belfry Hotel & Resort
QAC Sight Village, the UK’s leading exhibitions for blind and partially sighted people welcomes Deafblind UK as sponsors of their 2023 events
The Sight Village events take place across the country throughout the year and are the UK’s leading exhibitions for blind and partially sighted people and for those experiencing sight problems. They are hugely popular events, giving people with sight loss and professionals working in the sector, the chance to find out about the latest technology, products and services such as daily living equipment, mobility aids, education and training opportunities and leisure services. With Deafblind UK’s sponsorship this year, Sight Village events will include number of exhibitors who provide services for people who have both visual and hearing impairment or loss. Deafblind UK is a charity that supports people with both sight and hearing impairment or loss. CEO Nikki Morris said: “We are really excited about sponsoring the 2023 events; we know this will provide a huge opportunity for people with both visual and hearing impairment. Having information and equipment for sight loss and hearing loss all under one roof makes these events truly unique and a welcome addition to these already fantastic exhibitions.” Bev Jessop, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “All of us at QAC are really excited that Deafblind UK are joining with us to be a sponsor of our Sight Village events. We share the same values, particularly in ensuring accessibility products and services help towards achieving individual social and independence goals for the VI and deaf-blind community. We look forward to welcoming deafblind service users, professional services and providers to these premier national events.” Sight Village exhibitions are free to attend and will take place in Wales,18th April, Birmingham, 17th & 18th July, Exeter, 26th September and London 7th November 2023. For more information, or to pre-register your attendance, go to www.qacsightvillage.org.uk or call 0121 803 5484, email: sv@qac.ac.uk. Sight Village is organised by Queen Alexandra College (QAC), a national residential College and community charity that supports a diverse range of student abilities and needs based in Birmingham. The College provides education, training and routes to independent living and employment.
Smart Energy GB’s in Communities Fund Offers Grants to Charities Helping Vulnerable People and Carers During the Energy Crisis
The Smart Energy GB in Communities fund is now open for applications from charities and voluntary organisations. Grants of up to £25,000 are available to help people in vulnerable circumstances understand the personal and national benefits of smart meters. The Smart Energy GB in Communities fund works with expert regional organisations from the voluntary and public sectors to ensure those who may need extra information or support understand how smart meters may help them manage their energy use and how to request an installation. With energy bills on the rise, the Smart Energy GB in Communities fund provides funding streams for organisations to speak to fuel poor households and people who struggle with technology – those defined as lacking digital skills – about the vital benefits smart meters could bring. Funds are also available for organisations and groups reaching people who are unpaid carers. Applications must be received by 12 noon Friday, 10th February 2023. Smart Energy GB is the independent, non-profit, government-backed organisation that helps households and small businesses across Great Britain to understand how smart meters can benefit them, their families and the environment. A smart meter is being offered to every household in Britain by energy suppliers at no extra cost. More than half of British homes have got a smart meter. In the home, the smart meter’s in-home display shows how much energy is used in near-real time and in pounds and pence, allowing people to keep track of budgets and better manage their energy use. This can be particularly helpful for many vulnerable customers during these difficult times. Smart meters also remove the inconvenience of taking manual meter readings as they automatically send accurate meter readings directly to energy suppliers. This is especially useful for customers in vulnerable circumstances, as there is no need for estimated bills or manual readings. For prepay customers, smart meters also make it possible to top up their meters from home. On top of the benefits to households, smart meters form part of an essential upgrade that will make Britain’s energy infrastructure smarter, greener and less wasteful. Last year, Imago Community received a grant to reach people across Kent, Medway, East Sussex and London. The Director, Jenny Wilders, said: “Since receiving the grant, Imago Community have increased the awareness of the benefits of smart meters, how to obtain one, and supported individuals by providing the contact information for their energy supplier. Feedback from some consumers in group session said that they have been extremely grateful for all our support and are happy with their smart meters making them more aware of what savings they can make.” From Smart Energy GB, Phillippa Brown the Deputy Director of Specialist Audiences, says: “Whether you are a previous or a new applicant, we welcome the great ideas you have to spread the word about smart meters to your communities. The six years of experience we’ve had working with partners across Great Britain have proved the credibility and trust our partners hold in their communities and are therefore well placed to communicate the benefits that smart meters can bring.” The bid fund is being coordinated by the charities National Energy Action (NEA) and supported by Energy Action Scotland (EAS). Grants will be awarded to regionally-based organisations, with local networks, that have a trusted voice amongst people who are: 1. In fuel poverty: The total amount requested should be between £15,000 and £25,000 2. Lacking basic digital skills: defined as lacking the digital skills to manage information, communicate, transact, problem solve or create basic digital content. The total amount of grant requested should be between £10,000 and £15,000 3. Carers: defined as someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. The total amount of grant requested should be between £7,500 and £10,000. Housing associations, registered charities and non-registered community groups are eligible to apply. Applications are welcome from former applicants, both successful and unsuccessful. Applications must be received by 12 noon Friday 10th February 2023 and funded activities must be completed by 6th December 2023. Further information is available at: https://www.nea.org.uk/work-with-us/smart-meters/smart-grants-2023/
Guide Dogs’ Top Tips for Making Christmas Accessible for People with a Vision Impairment
Particularly during the festive period, children with sight loss can face several barriers that can cause them and their loved one’s feelings of exclusion and isolation. Following its successful launch of the UK’s first ever inclusive Christmas grotto, Guide Dogs is sharing some advice on how to make grottos more accessible for people with a vision impairment. Here are five top tips from Guide Dogs on how to make the festive season more accessible for all those who celebrate. 1. Introduce yourself Have you ever thought about how you would approach someone with a vision impairment and how you would offer your support? Simply introducing yourself and asking if the person would like any assistance is the first step. It’s important to ask the person if they need help first – never sneak up on them, grab them or assume they need help without checking. If the person declines your offer, that’s fine – at least you’ve offered. Also, when you’re moving away from the person, be sure to let them know you’re leaving them. If you’re interested in learning how to guide someone with sight loss, check out our top 10 tips for Sighted Guide Training video: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/sighted-guide-top-tips-video/ 2. Describe key elements in the surroundings To bring the festive scene alive, try to be as descriptive as you can – point out key things in their surroundings and describe them using examples that don’t rely on sight. Is the snow cold and crispy? Can you smell pine needles in the air? Is Rudolph’s fur soft and warm? 3. Use all the senses Just because someone can’t see the surroundings well doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy Christmas through their other senses. They can still enjoy the smell of Gingerbread, the sound of carols, or cold snow crunching under their feet. Get creative and think about how you can help people experience your grotto using all their senses. Also, think about how you can use bright colours and tonal contrast. Good colour contrast can help people with some residual vision make things out more easily – Christmas lends itself well to this as red and white have a good contrast! Be aware that stimulating the senses too much can be overwhelming and cause disorientation for someone with a vision impairment. Try to use soft, consistent lighting and avoid strong glare or flashing lights. Similarly, make sure your background noise isn’t too loud or distracting. 4. Keep clear of clutter Christmas grottos are often busy venues full of exciting things like trees, presents and even Santa’s sleigh. Plus, streets and shops tend to be much busier over the festive period with things moved around from their usual position and more clutter. Be aware that obstacles like these could pose a hazard or make it more difficult and stressful for someone with sight loss to navigate around the venue safely and independently. When planning your event, think about how you can keep walkways clear for people with vision impairment. And, wherever possible, make sure there is plenty of space for someone to navigate with a guide dog, long cane or their sighted guide. You could also consider the use of contrasting textured flooring to help the people with a vision impairment navigate their way around (e.g. smoother flooring on walkways and rougher surfaces such as fake snow for surroundings). 5. Suitable presents One of the most exciting parts of visiting a grotto is the presents – but if the gift is something that relies on sight, it can be disappointing for a child with a vision impairment. Things like colouring books, etch-a-sketch and rubix cubes aren’t great options for a child with sight loss. Instead, think about toys they don’t need their sight to enjoy, such as a teddy bear, large print or tactile colouring books, customised short story book, scented pens/pencils or jewellery. This festive period, Guide Dogs encouraging members of the public to sign up to our Guiding Stars campaign. This introduction to sighted guiding will help to give you the skills and confidence to guide a person with sight loss if they need it. For more information, please visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/guiding-stars-at-christmas/