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Access to Locked Public Disabled Toilets

What is RADAR?

The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) is a national organisation of and for disabled people.

What is a RADAR Key?

The RADAR Key allows independent access for people with disabilities to around 7,000 fully accessible toilets in the UK.

Who can get a RADAR Key?

Anyone with a disability or their carer can obtain a key by providing proof of eligibility (e.g. European Blue Parking Badge, Disability Living Allowance with mobility component, Attendance Allowance).

How long can I keep the key for?

The key is yours as long as you require it.

How much will it cost?

How do I get a RADAR Key?

Visit either your local supplier

Fife Independent Disability Network

SC 026112

West Bridge Mill, Bridge Street

Kirkcaldy

Tel: 01592 203993 Fax: 01592 203786

Text: 01592 646885 E-mail: enquiries@fidn.co.uk

www.fidn.co.uk

Or contact RADAR direct at

www.radar.org.uk

How do I get a RADAR Key?

Visit either your local supplier

Fife Independent Disability Network

SC 026112

West Bridge Mill, Bridge Street

Kirkcaldy

Tel: 01592 203993 Fax: 01592 203786

Text: 01592 646885 E-mail: enquiries@fidn.co.uk

www.fidn.co.uk

Or contact RADAR direct at

www.radar.org.uk

PROPOSED NEW SCHEMEOF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADAPTIONS.

The Scottish Government is currently running a consultation (Until July 1 2008) on proposals for a new scheme of financial assistance, including grants for adaptions.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 gives new powers and duties to local authorities which opens the way to a new approach to helping home owners to adapt property to suit disabled occupants.

This is the biggest change in national policy on this issue in 30 years. The draft regulations set out proposals for a mandatory grant for adaptions and minimum percentages to be applied to mandatory grant.

Have a look at the draft regulations and guidance from this link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2008/04/07144231/0

Do you have any comments on the proposals? If you would like your feedback to be included in a response to the Government, please let us know by contacting the office.

If you are a homeowner or are planning to become a homeowner you may find the Ownership Options in Scotland website helpful and interesting:

www.ownershipoptions.org.uk

Here are some other interesting links for you to explore:

www.accessible-property.org.uk

www.mobilityfriendlyhomes.co.uk

www.accessiblefeatures.org.uk

WE HAVE MOVED!!!!

The Round House,

Priory Campus,

Victoria Road,

Kirkcaldy,

KY1 2QT.

TEL:01592 223905.

E-Mail and Web Address unchanged

www.dphsfife.org.uk

E-mail: enquiries@dphsfife.org.uk

The decision to move was not taken lightly but part of ongoing development. When the service launched, one of the items on the wish list was a community based office linked to other charity groups and with shared facilities. At last we have found a place which meets these criteria. The Roundhouse has several voluntary groups working there which will mean good links for our workers. We also have meeting rooms and interview rooms which will work well for us. It has taken a few weeks to get the new IT services up and running but we now have full command of our phones and computers! Many thanks to

2nd Time Around who we contacted via Ore Valley Housing Association. They are a community based group who were very helpful with our removal Many Thanks to all concerned.

2ndTime Around is a project that is currently run by volunteers it has been in existance since 1996. It provides furniture to people on low incomes at very low and sometimes no cost to the receiver of furniture or household goods.

2nd Time Around also provide a removal service for those people who are moving from one property to another and are on low income. The projet are always lookig for volunteers and furrniture/household goods. If you can help in ny way, Please call them on 01592 721177.

Ian Rankin (Author). Officially launched SNIP in Thornton village hall on Wednesday 5^th March 2008 to which Yvonne and Wendy attended on behalf of DPHS (F). SNIP (Special Needs Information Point) is a voluntary organization based at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. It is managed by a committee of parents of children/young people, with additional support needs, and professionals. Most of the staff at SNIP are parents of disabled children. They now have workers and premises in Kirkcaldy and can be contacted on 01592 542183.

Pictured Left are Ian Rankin (Author) and Yvonne Brannan (Board Member DPHS (F)

Fay pictured above in her new home

Fay (Pictured Right) and her husband had no security of tenure in their previous tenancy and circumstances left them in a position of having to find alternative suitable housing.

Fay-I contacted the DPHS (F) after finding their details on the internet. I spoke to Wendy (caseworker) and she guided me through the steps that I had to take to ensure all my chances of being offered suitable housing were maximized.

Wendy- After getting all the appropriate details from Fay and ensuring all applications were in, I referred her for a void that I knew would meet her needs. I am so glad that they were offered the property.

Fay- When Wendy asked if I would like to be referred for a property, I did not hesitate. I was interviewed and offered the house; I could not believe my luck. Thank You.

Fay was re-housed by Margaret Blackwood Housing Association.

Read the full stories here!

TWO NEWLY QUALIFIED HOUSING

INFORMATION and ADVICE WORKERS FOR DPHS(Fife)

DPHS(F) Now have two qualified housing information and advice workers!

Both members of staff, Jackie and Wendy have been working hard to complete the HomePoint Level 2 training in housing information and advice. This is part of the work required for DPHS(F) to work towards National Standards in Housing Information and Advice via HomePoint Communities Scotland. Both Jackie and Wendy were presented with their Completion Certificates at the AGM by Kirstie Brady from Shelter Scotland. Jackie Morrison, Development Officer, commented:

“This is good news for DPHS(F). For both workers to be trained to this level is crucial due to the variety of enquiries which are dealt with on a weekly basis. It is very important that our customers can be assured of good quality information and advice when they contact us. Many thanks to Shelter who delivered the training and to HomePoint, Communities Scotland for their support of our project.”

Wendy Riveiro, Caseworker, added:

“Completing the Homepoint Level 2 training has given me the confidence that I am providing the correct information and advice to each customer. As each case is unique this training is invaluable.”

Client Review Period

For the months of January/February staff at DPHS(Fife) will be carrying out Client Reviews. This means you may receive a phone call or letter to check if your circumstances have changed. Please bear with us during this period as it is important that we ensure all details are accurate so that we can offer the best possible service.

New Clients

The Client Review Period will mean that new customers can expect follow up after February. Registration forms will still be put on our register as normal but any follow up from the Caseworker will not be possible until the end of February. Being on the Register still means that matching is possible so clients will still be informed of any suitably matching property.

The Scottish Governments Paper Green Paper on the Future of Housing in Scotland: Firm Foundations

What does it all mean?

DPHS(Fife) were recently involved in consultation with the Governments Green Paper for the future of housing in Scotland called Firm Foundations.

It was decided at the most recent meeting of Scottish Accessible Housing Network that each DPHS in Scotland would submit its own response for several reasons – housing is accessed differently in different local authority areas of Scotland and therefore the mix of work of DPHSs differs in each area.

DPHS(Fife) were involved in workshops with Fife Council and have also submitted this response to the Housing Service. DPHS(Fife) used information from our customer databases, workers experiences with customers, partnership working with housing and other organisations, and viewpoint of Board members to inform our response. Many of the questions and issues raised will continue to be revisited during the course of our work.

You may wish to read the full Government paper by following this link:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/30153156/0

DPHS(Fife) have given permission for the Scottish Government to contact us again about this consultation. So here is your chance! If you have any comments on the contents of the Green Paper or the DPHS (Fife) responses please do get in touch to let us know.

The DPHS(F) response to the questions raised can be found here:

click here to download FirmFoundationsfile