Office for Disability Issues news
All the latest news and activities from the Office for Disability Issues
This page covers all the latest news from the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). Earlier news items, including news from the previous administration, can be found in the News archive.
May 2012
New Ambassadors for the Strengthening DPULOs Programme
ODI are recruiting additional Ambassadors to work with community organisations to enable disabled people to play an active role and have a stronger voice in their local community.
Additional Ambassadors are needed to further extend the Strengthening DPULOs Programme in areas not already covered by the current Ambassadors, particularly Wales, Scotland and northern England
The Ambassador role can be described as one that: enthuses, energises, open doors, engages, challenges, promotes and builds relationships in the local community.
The Strengthening Disabled People’s User-led Organisation (DPULOs) Programme was launched in July 2011 to provide a range of practical and financial support to DPULOs to support them to be strong and sustainable.
The closing date for applications is 1000 Friday 8 June 2012.
April 2012
Elected office hopefuls to get online training
Disabled people seeking elected office or public appointments will have access to online training as part of new proposals.
The new online tool is part of a range of proposals being taken forward following a consultation on access to elected office for disabled people which was carried out last year. The Office for Disability Issues has been working with partners and stakeholders, including the Government Equalities Office, the Cabinet Office, disability organisations and political parties, on plans to increase the number of disabled people participating in public life.
The Government Equalities Office has also developed guidance for political parties on their legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. In particular, the reasonable adjustments that should be made to fully include disabled people.
March 2012
Fulfilling Potential discussion themes published
A number of major themes on how to improve the lives of disabled people have emerged from the Fulfilling Potential discussion.
The findings were revealed to more than 40 delegates from organisations that support disabled people at an initial feedback event last week.
The main themes from the responses include:
- More control over choices and involvement in how service are delivered
- Better support at critical points in life such as the transition to adulthood
- More flexible working and greater use of Access to Work
- Tackling negative attitudes about disabled people among the public, employers and the media.
Speaking at the event Maria Miller, the Minister for Disabled People, said:
“I want to make clear that from the very top of government we are absolutely committed to achieving a step change in supporting disabled people to fulfil their potential in every area of life.”
There were 542 responses, 297 from individuals, 184 from organisations and 61 combined responses following meetings and events.
The responses will be used to inform a new cross-government Disability Strategy which will be published in late summer. A summary of all the responses will also be published at the end of April.
February 2012
New guides to help stop disability hate crime
New disability hate crime guides have been launched to help raise awareness of disability-related harassment and hate crime and how to report it.
Speaking at the launch in London Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People, said that hate crime should not be tolerated and had no place in society. She added that the guides should help to encourage more people to report these types of crimes.
The guides have been drawn up as part of the joint Let’s Stop Disability Hate Crime project between the Office for Disability Issues and Disability Rights UK.
The project has produced three guides:
- A guide for disabled people on what is a disability hate crime, why it should be reported, and how to report it
- A guide for non-disabled people on what is a disability hate crime, why it should be reported and how to report it
- A guide that can be used by disabled people’s organisations who would like to set up third party reporting site
In drafting the guidance Disability Rights UK listened to a wide range of disabled people and their organisations. This information formed the backbone of the guidance which was also drafted with assistance from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Crown Prosecution Service.
The guidance documents are available on the Radar website.
January 2012
Help available for Fulfilling Potential discussion events
Help, advice and funding are now available for disabled people’s organisations to run their own events to help shape the new Disability Strategy.
A guide has been produced to help organisations run their own engagement activities around Fulfilling Potential, which was launched earlier this month.
The discussion document asks for ideas on developing a new cross-Government Disability Strategy. We want to hear direct from disabled people on the best ways to enabling them to reach their potential.
The Office for Disability Issues can support events by providing speakers or printed copies of the Easy Read document. We’re also offering limited financial support to meet travel costs, hire a venue or cover the cost of personal assistants or interpreters.
If you’re running an engagement activity for a different audience, for example local authorities, service providers, or families and carers we can help you tailor the activities in the guide.
In order to have access to this fund you should submit an application by 20 January to fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.uk. Full details of how to apply are in the Facilitation Guide.
We welcome feedback on this guide throughout the discussion period. This is to make sure that organisations have all the information needed to have a discussion about the future strategy.
News archive
Page last reviewed: 10 May 2012
Facebook
Twitter
Google
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Reddit