Initiative to Increase Rights of the Disabled

By Ian Noble

DISABLED people in Richmondshire and Hambleton are at the forefront of an initiative aimed at ensuring they enjoy the same rights as everyone else in the community.

The initiative, supported by North Yorkshire County Council’s adult and community services, is one of only 12 in England and Wales to win grant funding for its development.

At the heart of the initiative is a user-led group called Independus, formed by the amalgamation of Disability Action in Richmondshire and a Centre for Independent Living catering for Richmondshire and Hambleton.

The Government has recommended that all local authorities should establish Centres for Independent Living by 2010.

Centres for Independent Living are organisations run and controlled by disabled people, which aim to ensure equal choice, control, right, and full economic, social and cultural lives for all.

Members of Independus meet formally once a month and socially once a week alternately at The Station, in Richmond, and at Wetherspoons.

Among the issues identified for discussion and action by the group are appropriate housing for disabled people, transport in rural areas, opportunities for employment, campaigning for better health venues, suitable access to buildings, and self-managing of budgets.

Independus has set up links with other similar organisations across the region, including Choices and Rights, in Hull.

A joint bid by Choices and Rights and Independus was one of two from North Yorkshire to be selected for national funding.

It has secured [pounds]100,000 for the year, of which one third goes to a parent group in Hull, with [pounds]66,000 spent in North Yorkshire.

County councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for adult and community services, said:

“We are extremely proud to be helping this group develop into a Centre for Independent Living that empowers, motivates and inspires disabled people to see themselves of worth and value.”

Independus is now seeking disabled people from across Hambleton and Richmondshire to become involved in the initiative.

Anyone interested can contact Robert Langford on 01748-850242.

(c) 2008 Northern Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.