On 6 March 2014, the Minister of State for Disabled People announced that the ILF would close on 30 June 2015, to ensure that all social care support is delivered through the mainstream system, rather than two separate systems. This means that, from 1 July 2015, the funding and responsibility of ILF care and support [...]

We are in the process of collating ideas, stories and updates for our Summer Newsletter. If you would like to add anything that you think could be of interest to our members, please drop us an email to admin@papool.co.uk. If you have not yet registered to receive our seasonal newsletters, you can do so here: [...]

This month we’re taking a look at products which could be useful to you either inside or outside of the home. Our thoughts were prompted by the revolutionary soft-wheel wheelchair, reported in The Guardian recently, apparently giving users a smoother ride with built-in shock-absorbers that let you “float as if suspended in mid-air”!  You can [...]

Some months ago now, we were following the story and legal battle surrounding the ILF – the Government backed Independent Living Fund. Now we see that users have launched a fresh legal bid to halt its closure.  Previously thinking that they – the five original campaigners - had won the battle to avoid closure of [...]

We’ve put together these useful tips to help you get the most from your membership with PA Pool: Profile - Make sure your profile is 100% complete to optimise your opportunity to find work or to find a PA/Carer who can meet your needs. Remember to include the shift details you require or your profile [...]

Have your eyes been glued to the TV for the Winter Olympics? We can hardly wait for the Paralympic Winter Games to start, which are due to take place from the 7 to 16 March. There are four sports on the Paralympic Winter Games programme: Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling. [...]

Wednesday 12th March 2014 - FREE TO ATTEND! Working with Skills for Care, Ruils is delighted to announce that we are hosting a National Conference aimed at Personal Assistants. The conference will take place on Wednesday 12th March at the Friend’s Meeting House in Euston, London. As a Personal Assistant you will be able to [...]

Did any of you catch the TV news last night? We were delighted to see young Natasha Lambert being awarded for her outstanding solo sailing accomplishments. Despite being labelled 'disabled' and born with athertoid cerebral palsy, Natasha was just 16 when she completed her solo journey across the English Channel in a 21ft-long (6.4m) boat. [...]

[caption id="attachment_115" align="alignright" width="340"] Katy receiving her AoC Gold Award in 2012[/caption] As a previous recipient of an AoC Gold Award, Katy and PA Pool are delighted to support the AoC Charitable Trust with a new fundraising initiative they are piloting this year, in aid of student funds. The purpose of holding a silent auction [...]

Members of PA Pool will know that, as a not-for-profit organisation, we very much reply on external funding, such as advertising, to help us to develop the website and continue to provide a viable and valuable service. One our members – John Burke – suggested the great idea of selling Christmas Cards as another means [...]

Disability Rights UK are urging the Government to rethink its support programmes aimed at helping disabled people find paid work, following a recent survey where it found “63% of those surveyed said the government support they received did not help them get a job”. Moreover the research found that “more than 500 disabled people in [...]

The hashtag ‘Heard Whilst Disabled’ is currently trending on Twitter, as reported by the BBC News this week. Apparently the hashtag is being used by disabled twitterers giving us a brief insight into just some of the thoughtless comments made to them directly or overheard.  Read the full story here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-24064300.  You may or may not [...]

At the end of July 2013, the Anniversary Games celebrated a year since London 2012!  Who can forget the heart-swelling pride we all felt during those momentous two weeks! If you missed out on visiting the Olympic Park last year, now’s the time to make a date in your diary to visit the renamed Queen [...]

Regular visitors to our website will know that every month we try and update this news section with something interesting and informative.  We consider matters raised by our members and search Google for articles.  This month we have tried to find something inspirational after all the doom and gloom about benefits and PIP. As a [...]

If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you can exchange your weekly payment to lease a new car through the Motability Scheme. What’s more, insurance, servicing, RAC breakdown assistance and replacement tyres [...]

We have been keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the judicial review between six ILF users and the Department for Work and Pensions, as we’re sure you have. A decision on the case was delayed until late April and we have included the judgement on the attached, should you wish to read [...]