Direct payment regulation changes Posted on in News

The Department of Health have recently launched a consultation on changes to the regulations for direct payments, for healthcare. Even if you don't receive a Direct Payment for your healthcare needs currently, you may want or be able to have one in the future, and therefore you may have a view on these proposals. Direct [...]

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Share some Puppy Love this Valentine’s Day! Posted on in News

National charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, will be launching a special free ‘app’ in time for Valentine’s Day, to raise vital awareness of the organisation’s life-changing work. The Charity hopes those looking for a Valentine’s gift with a difference will download the affectionate ‘app’ and encourage others to do the same ahead of 14 [...]

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2013 – Year of Austerity? Posted on in News

The Disability Law Service, which provides advice to disabled people facing cuts this April, is expecting a surge in demand for its services in 2013. Unfortunately, 2013 looks like being a historic year for disabled people, but for all the wrong reasons! Read the full article by Patrick Butler and Abby Young-Powell in The Guardian, [...]

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The Global Stage Posted on in News

On Human Rights Day 10 December 2012, Stephen Bowen, Director of the British Institute of Human Rights, amongst 72 civil society groups, including Disability Rights UK, sent an ‘open letter’ to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. The letter expresses the concerns over the lack of political leadership of the Human Rights Act in [...]

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Local authority support for people who employ personal assistants report launched Posted on in News

You may or may not be aware that the following research was launched recently at the NCAS Conference 2012. The report and supporting material, including good practice case studies, can all be found via the Skills For Care website:www.skillsforcare.org.uk/how_can_we_help_you/personalassistantsframework.aspx. You can read the full press release below: Skills for Care, the Association of Directors of [...]

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PA Pool is supporting Colleges Week 2012 Posted on in News

PA Pool is supporting Colleges Week 2012 , which this year is all about employability and work-readiness. As part of this year’s campaign, the Colleges Week team is issuing a call for employers and employees to sign-up to volunteer for the free ‘Inspiring the Future’ service. Inspiring the Future was launched in July 2012 by [...]

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Positive Response from LOCOG in respect of the Paralympic Ticketing Policy for Wheelchair Users Posted on in News

In August 2012, following the success of the London Olympic Games, Beth Davis-Hofbauer from Fareham in Hampshire, created an online petition in response to ticketing issues for wheelchair users; "I am a wheelchair user, with a four-year-old autistic son and a nineteen-month-old baby. Naturally we wanted to sit together and, particularly as it's the Paralympics, [...]

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The Independent Living Fund – Its future is in your hands Posted on in News

The future of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) is in serious doubt after the Government announced its desire to wind up the fund from 2015 and transfer its financial resources to Local Authorities. The news, which came as the Government launched a three month consultation on the Fund, has generated much debate among ILF users [...]

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PA Pool Members Carry The Olympic Torch Posted on in News

The Olympic Torch Relay is fast approaching its final journey but two of our PA Pool members were lucky enough to be given the opportunity, via nomination, to carry the flame through their communities. You can find out more via the London 2012 website here. On Wednesday 18 July, Bazza West carried the Olympic flame [...]

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Please sign the Petition! Posted on in News

To stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families, sign this online petition and circulate to your colleagues, friends and family: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968. Closing Date 1 November 2012.

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Founder of PA Pool Katy Etherington wins Gold! Posted on in News

Katy Etherington, Freelance Graphic Designer and founder of PA Pool was celebrating today after being awarded a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Gold Award by Lord Willis of Knaresborough at the House of Commons. The awards ceremony is held each year to recognise further education alumni as well as acknowledge the vital role that colleges [...]

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Katy’s Award Winning Smile in Disability Now Magazine Posted on in News

You’ll know from our latest newsletter that Katy has recently been awarded an AoC Gold Award following nomination by the National Star College.  The AoC Gold Awards are given every year in recognition to former students of Further Education Colleges who, since leaving College, have gone on to excel in their chosen career. The Awards [...]

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#DLA is Trending Posted on in News

If you’re a Twitter user, you’ll have noticed recently that #DLA has been ‘trending’ in response to the Government’s proposed reforms. Just search for #DLA and follow the conversations. You can also vote in The Telegraph’s Poll herehttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9263453/500000-to-lose-disability-benefit.html or why not let us know what you think via our Facebook group page?  Just search for [...]

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A New Award for Katy! Posted on in News

Following nomination by the National Star College earlier this year, we are delighted to announce that Katy has won an AoC Gold Award. Other winners this year include Trevor Bayliss, the famous inventor, the CEO of Sainsbury’s and Sir Kevin Smith, now retired but previously Chief Exec of GKN. The Awards Ceremony will take place [...]

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The Undateables' final episode was really funny - and that's OK, right? Posted on in News

This was the online headline from Metro 17 April 2012.  Rachel Tarley went on to write “Tonight's third and final episode of The Undateables followed 27-year-old Sam, who had Down's Syndrome, 24-year-old Haydn, who suffers from a facial disfigurement and 20-year-old Kali, who has Williams Syndrome. There were fewer moments of mirth than in previous [...]

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