Letter Re: Disability Strategy Consultation
18th February 2021
To: Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP, and
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson MP
Dear Sirs,
We write to express our deep concerns about the survey being used to inform the consultation on the National Strategy for Disabled People.
Whilst we welcome a rethink on what the nation’s strategy for Disabled people should be, we believe, as it currently stands, the consultation is:
a. Not in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
b. Not fit for purpose, in as much as it is open for contributions tha...
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News
Can you help us?
Eastbourne Access group needs YOU! Can you spare 1 -2 hours per month to volunteer flexibly for the Access group from your home? We campaign to make Eastbourne more accessible for disabled people of all ages, their carers and families.
We produce the Eastbourne Access guide that has lots of information in it about local attractions, businesses and other services. We also run events and information stands. We meet currently on Zoom and are campaigning on transport, town centre, seafront cycling, entertainment amongst other other local issues. Come and join us.
Please email admin@eastbourneac...
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We need new toilets at Langney Shopping Centre
Letter in The Herald on 5 February 2021 from: Brian Day and Liz Trethewey Joint chairs Eastbourne Access Group
With reference to the article on the state of the disabled toilet at Langney Shopping Centre click here to read, the Eastbourne Access Group, together with local councillors, raised this with the shopping centre management two years ago and have been promised refurbishment ever since, although the Covid excuse is a new one .
However, refurbishment is not the answer. The public needs new toilets in general in the centre to replace the ones only accessible by going down steeply incl...
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Eastbourne disability group says people are facing ‘mask discrimination’
The subject of mask discrimination for disabled people was brought up in a recent letter sent to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
A spokesperson for Eastbourne Access Group said, “We know that some disabled people and their carers are concerned about being challenged to show an exemption and also some disabled people with hidden impairments are reluctant to wear the sunflower lanyards as they may choose not be labelled as ‘disabled’.
“Members of the public might be concerned about misuse of exemptions but it has proved impossible for many people with complex impairments such as those w...
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Warning over COVID vaccination scams
Message from Keep Sussex Safe NHS
Be on your guard against fraudulent text and email messages as new scams are being sent to patients.
People are receiving a text or email notification of their ‘vaccination appointment’ and are being asked to confirm it by clicking on a link.
This looks very similar to the genuine texts being sent to patients to arrange their appointments at the GP led vaccination services.
Please follow the advice below.
The COVID-19 vaccination is ONLY available from the NHS and it is FREE – you will never be asked to pay for it or give your bank details.
If you receive a...
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Update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme: national vaccination letters
A message from Keep Sussex Safer NHS:
We are aware that patients are starting to receive letters from the national vaccination booking system. The letter is labelled only from the NHS and invites you to book your vaccination appointment.
We recognise that these letters are causing confusion and we want to provide a simple summary of how people can receive their vaccination and the purpose of these letters.
In our area, people in the eligible groups are able to receive their vaccination at either a GP led or local vaccination service, a larger vaccination centre such as the Brighton Centre...
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Festival of Accessible Sport
We have some very big news! This summer, Defiant Sports and
Eastbourne Access Group will be hosting Eastbourne's first ever Festival of Accessible Sport! This will take place on a weekend in the summer (date tbc), and will celebrate all things accessible/inclusive sport related.
If you are an accessible sporting organisation/group, and are interested in getting involved, please get in touch at admin@eastbourneaccessgroup.org.uk.
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Silenced: The Hidden History of Disabled Britain on Tuesday, 19 January BBC2
Silenced: The Hidden History of Disabled Britain is on BBC2, Tuesday 19th January at 9pm.
In this shocking and moving film, writer, actor, and presenter Cerrie Burnell uncovers the hidden story of how disabled people fought back - and won their freedom.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2021/03/silenced-the-hidden-history-of-disabled-britain?fbclid=IwAR1-7MWaoxcaF97NZKl_pMrMXU4WH-9aeefgtn-kNFGUchMYy-t_VJsF7KA
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Monthly Access Group meetings
Our next monthly meeting to be held on Wednesday, 27 January 2021 at 10.30am-12.30 pm is via Zoom.
The meeting will start with GUEST SPEAKER: Kaveri Sharma, Equality and Inclusion Manager, Adult Social Care and Health, East Sussex County Council.
Guest Speaker for our Wednesday, 24th February meeting will be: Inspector Rachel Barrow, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Sussex Police.
For more information about joining the meetings or finding out more about the Access Group please email: admin@eastbourneaccessgroup.org.uk
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Latest Disability Today article in The Herald – Corona Christmas – a time to regroup
As weeks and months go by Coronavirus
is still very much a part of our lives. Whether it is because we have
experienced the virus directly or its impact on our lives has been because of
the lockdowns imposed by the government, our lifestyles have been changed. This
can vary from a mild inconvenience to extreme worry and concern. Inconvenience
because we may have to adapt some of our everyday life practices and extreme
worry for those classified as vulnerable and required to shield themselves from
possible exposure to the virus.
Many disabled people are categorised as vulnerable
due to th...
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