An example of good service.

I have been getting my wheelchairs repaired and serviced by a company called Rosscare for many years now and I can honestly say that they have kept me going.

If I need one of my chairs looking at they go out of their way to fit me in for a visit. They are always professional and courteous. I would be lost without their prompt and effective service.

You can get to talk to someone you know and have a good rapport with, which makes a huge difference. My contact, Carolyn, is brilliant when I phone for anything.

You may already use their service through the NHS, but if you go private, they are contactable at:

Ellesmere Port Shop Retail Shop

140 Chester Road Whitby Ellesmere Port CH65 6SA

Call Free now on 0800834829

Email:- ellesmere.port@rosscare.co.uk

You should look at this Website.

A Good friend of mine, Chloe, recommended a really interesting Website that I think everyone should have a look at if you get the chance.

It focuses on Equality and Human rights and there is a very good section about the Disability Harassment  Inquiry.

The inquiry reveals that hundreds of thousands of disabled people regularly experience violence and bullying. It also examines 10 very serious cases in which disabled people have died or been seriously injured.

What I would really like you readers to do is send me any instances of Hate Crime, Violence or Bullying that you know of and start a discussion. Just send them through the comments and I’ll make sure they go up.

 

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

Time to Crackdown on Blue Badge Fraud!

Disabled groups are welcoming a government crackdown on the widespread abuse of the “blue badge” parking scheme in England. Now it’s time we did it in Wales!

There are an estimated 2.5 million badges in circulation, allowing drivers to park on yellow lines as well as avoid parking and congestion charges.

It is so annoying to see perfectly healthy people using blue badges to park where they want.

A crackdown would be welcome here by a lot of people.

Reporting Hate Crime.

Have you ever been the victim of a Hate Crime? Have you ever witnessed a Hate Crime and not known how to report it?

Well, remember you are not alone.

A hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim’s:

• disability
• race
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• transgender

Many such crimes may go unreported, not just by the victim, but also the person or persons who witness it.

You can use the police non-emergency phone number 101 to report it or go to a website like www.saferwales.com where there is a link.

Remember, if you witness abuse targeted because of hate, you are a victim too!

Don’t ignore it, report it!

Climbing for Disabled Youngsters

Carers Outreach Service

Carers Outreach service is a charitable organization that provides practical and emotional support for carers aged 18+ in Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey.

Carers are people who look after a spouse or partner, child, relative or friend who is ill, disabled, or elderly and frail.

Carers Outreach Service provides a wide range of services including individual support through home visits, emergency planning, social events, support groups, health and well-being sessions, outings, and a quarterly newsletter. They can also assist carers to access grants and benevolent funds.

The calendar for May includes a social lunch at Pantri Bach in Pensarn, a carers circle where you can join them for a bite of lunch at The Craigside Inn Llandudno, and Carers Theraputic Sessions where gentle massage is offered by the British Red cross.

For more information see the link on the right of this page or contact:
Phone: 01492 533714
Email: help@carersoutreach.org.uk

EVA in Colwyn Bay.

This morning I joined Inspector Essi Ahari, two of his officers from Colwyn bay Station, Diversity Officer Chloe Davies, and Councilor Chris Hughes for an Environmental Visual Audit of the centre of Colwyn Bay.

The idea of an EVA is to look at the access issues surrounding a particular area from the point of view those of us who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities. Inspector Ahari, and officers Andy and Sian, were good enough to volunteer to come along with me and spend some time in a wheelchair to see for themselves what wheelchair users have to face on a daily basis.

We started from Colwyn Bay police Station and made our way down towards Station Road. The first problem we encountered was at the junction of Abergele Road and Woodland Road east. The kerbs here are very uneven and problematic for those who have mobility issues.

We then went down Station Road, which has been vastly improved in recent months, and turned in to the Bay View Shopping Centre. These pedestrian areas are much better and user friendly than if traffic is moving all round you. Here is Inspector Ahari finding out first hand what it’s like to maneuver a wheelchair in the street.

Back on Abergele Road, we came across another pet hate of mine. Rain Gullys! If these gullys sink at all, they become major obstacles for wheelchair users and can cause a chair to tip forward if you are not careful.

I would like to thank Inspector Essi and his Officers, Councilor Hughes and the Members of the Press who came along to do some interviews, for giving up their valuable time to bring these issues to the public eye.

My Latest Piece in the Local Paper.

 

In case you don’t get the Pioneer, here is an article I had in this week.

Electronic Bus Passes to Go Live!

As from  Sunday 6th December, Concessionary bus passes will go live so passengers using them will have to swipe them to get on the bus.

The new cards, which give users free bus travel, contain an electronic chip that machines on-board the buses can read. This ensures bus companies are paid correctly for the passengers they’ve carried.