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Organise
This is a space where you can find out about activities that are being organised by groups of disabled people that are relevant to PA employers as well as to disabled people more generally. It is also where you can find out more about the activities being run by Being the Boss. Click here to find out more.
Digital Voice speaking out: disability politics and policy
Digital voice is a new online magazine working from the philosophy of the social model. It was set up for disabled people to voice their opinions, to direct the route of digital voice and to contribute to writings on the important issues disabled people are facing in the 21st century welfare reforms.
The power of change is needed now more than ever. In the current crisis the meaning of disability is being attacked-we are no longer considered the deserving poor, we are no longer considered to experience social, attitudinal and physical barriers, but all of these things remain in place despite the UK government’s desire to pretend they don’t.
Digital Voice looks at welfare reform and disability issues in the UK and Europe critically and covers subjects such as the closure of ILF, negative media coverage of disabled people, the work capability assessment, and why we need to answer back and act to save the rights that disabled people fought for.
Both Digital voice and its sister site thaedis are on twitter too. Let the coalition know the power of disabled people by sharing and contributing.
Web: http://digitalvoice.eu/ http://thaedis.net/
Join us on Twitter @digitalvoice1 and @thaedis
Together we are stronger!
Anne Pridmore writes: As the Chair of Being the Boss, I wanted to share a personal reflection on why I feel that until we get appropriate support on all things related to employing Personal Assistants, carers and support workers, I am not in favour of either our employees joining unions or receiving training from non-disabled people.
This article has come about as a result of the recent horror story shown on BBC's Panorama. For those of you who did not see this programme, it depicted some of the worst abuse I have ever seen in a private care home, namely Winterbourne View.
A senior care worker had reported the abuse at this home on three occasions; however, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had failed to stop it or even to investigate. First and foremost, CQC should be looked into by an Independent regulator (if there is such a thing)! Whilst it would be impossible to close all the homes owned by the company which operates Winterbourne View because of the impracticalities of finding suitable alternative accommodation for the residents, all their homes should be looked into immediately by CQC once their own practices are “fit for purpose”.
Winterbourne View are taking £4.5 million per year from this home, and their overall takings are in the region of £92 million overall. Each resident is being charged a staggering £3,000 per week - paid for by the State. This is more than double what many disabled people receive for 24-hour care in our own homes - soon to be cut further by Local Authority cuts and the closure of ILF. Younger disabled people are now being denied the opportunity even to set foot on the ladder to independence.
It has been suggested by some forums that getting Personal Assistants unionised, trained and on better wages would eradicate abuse, both in our own homes and within residential care. However, I believe it could make things even worse. People who have little control over their own lives "get off" on abusing others physically, mentally, financially and psychologically. In my opinion no amount of training, joining Unions or increased pay levels will ever stop these people: proper regulation is what is required.
Meanwhile I am sure that many people reading this will be familiar with the training currently being rolled out by non-disabled people by Local Authorities and large, well-funded organisations that are not User Led Organisations (ULOs). These latter organisations are funded by the Dept of Health to train and develop the future workforce. Organisations typically offer training which carries a "Diploma in Care"; this bears no resemblance to any Social Model ethic.
Only last month a colleague forwarded me some papers about a pilot for a course (set up by this type of organisation) for PAs. There are some 300 PAs in Milton Keynes: however, they only managed to attract 4-7 people to their three-day course, demonstrating the lack of enthusiasm for this type of course. The agenda was on Health and Safety, Moving and Handling, Safeguarding and Infection Control - nothing about supporting independent living. The most interesting feedback from a PA was: “I will now ask for a liquid soap to use in the upstairs bathroom after helping during a bath session.” What is worrying is that Milton Keynes Council is looking to introduce a Personal Assistants' register, and will use this report to inform what support networks would be most effective going forward.
Please do not misunderstand me: I would not object to PAs joining unions if “we” could also join one. However, this is not possible for the vast majority of disabled people, who are unemployed. This is why we need to utilise our website and organisation, not just to develop a campaigning strategy but also to gain a National Voice so that we do not continually find others speaking on our behalf.
I am sure I am not alone when I say that forget PA support networks: who supports US when things go wrong? Although I am signed up to FISH insurance, the basic problem is that they do not understand the difference between employment in an office or a factory and employing a PA in your own home, where you are the receiver of the service (in some cases very personal care) whilst at the same time effectively being their line manager.
I do not like using personal examples on an open forum like this, but I have suffered from psychological abuse from PAs on three occasions - one of which led me to a Tribunal which having no support I lost. A PA of mine recently joined a Union and her representative accompanies her to all meetings with me, whilst I have to face the two of them on my own. FISH seem to shrug off all responsibility except phone or email advice. The answer is not, as the unions want, to withdraw our right to BE employers and return this responsibility to the local authorities.
Can I leave you with this objective: if each disabled employer who is a member of the Association of Disabled Employers recruited two new members, our membership would be much stronger and nearer to becoming a National Voice.
Using Law to Fight Cuts – a campaigning guide
A practical guide for campaigners – disabled people, families, carers and local groups -
This paper is intended to help campaigners – including disabled people and those supporting them – understand how the law can be used to help fight cuts to valued services for disabled and other vulnerable people in their area. The paper is intended to be read by those who do not have a legal background. However, any individual or local group who is considering legal action in relation to actual or proposed cuts to services should not rely only on this paper but should seek specialist advice, including legal advice.
This paper has been written by Steve Broach and Kate Whittaker. Steve is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, and Kate is a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Sheffield. Both of them specialise in cases involving disabled adults and children and others who need care and support from public bodies.
This resource (Word document) can be downloaded at http://disabilitylib.org.uk/images/stories/Using_Law_to_Fight_Cuts.doc
The European Network on Independent Living is campaigning for the implementation of Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People. This would give disabled people the right to personal assistance. Click here to find out more about the campaign and to sign their petition.
