A survey of those with direct experience of the benefit system has shown that three out of five respondents rate the current UK welfare system as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The ‘About Your Benefits and You’ survey sought the views of social security experience panels members – individuals who are giving their views on the design of Scotland’s new welfare system. Continue reading Social Security Experience Panel survey results published
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and leading international charity Leonard Cheshire Disability announced today the five finalists for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2017. Each has won £10,000 and now has a chance to win a further £20,000.
More than 70 candidates – a record entry – applied for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs this year. The applications came from diverse business arenas, including fashion, retail, sport and leisure and tourism.
The five finalists are:
Jane Hatton of London, founder of Evenbreak (www.evenbreak.co.uk), an accessible specialist online job board where inclusive employers can attract more talented disabled talent and disabled jobseekers can find work with employers who will value their skills.
Hannah Chamberlain of London, co-founder of Mental Snapp (www.mentalsnapp.com), a video diary app to help anyone actively managing their mental health.
James Brown of Wiltshire, founder of Mobiloo (www.mobiloo.org.uk) , the world’s first attended mobile toilet and changing facility for disabled people who need a hoist and changing table to use the toilet or be changed.
Dominic Lund-Conlon of Essex, founder of Review My Wheelchair (www.reviewmywheelchair.co.uk), which provides unbiased and clear reviews for wheelchair users to support their decision when purchasing a wheelchair.
Katherine Fortnum of Leicestershire, founder of Katherine Fortnum Ceramics (www.katherinefortnumceramics.com) , a producer of hand built ceramic homewares and decorative sculptures.
The overall winner will win £30,000 and an additional 4 shortlisted applicants will each get £10,000.
The award is jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (www.stelios.com) and the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, (www.LeonardCheshire.org). Started 11 years ago, it recognises the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs in the UK.
Past winners have been drawn from the travel agency, building and IT sectors as well as businesses specialising in disability/mobility aids and services. The winner will be announced on Thursday 14 November 2017
Fear of hostility could be stopping large numbers of disabled people in Scotland going out in their communities, says Leonard Cheshire Disability as it reveals the results of a UK national survey of disabled adults aged over 18. Continue reading Fear of hostility prevents one in three disabled people going out
OneFamily customers across Edinburgh have less than one week left to nominate a local community project for a OneFamily Foundation Community Award – giving them the chance to win up to £25,000. Continue reading Nominate now for OneFamily community awards
Businesses across the country are being encouraged to recognise the many benefits of employing people with disabilities. Continue reading Businesses reminded: disabled people have a wealth of skills and talents
As many as 4,800 people with health conditions and disabilities will receive help to get into work without the threat of sanctions in the first year of new Scottish employment services launched yesterday. Continue reading Help into work: Launch of devolved employment services.
Disability Delivery Plan published
Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) is delighted to announce that our local MP Tommy Sheppard is helping us launch our brand new ‘Peer Support for Work’ Facebook Group to coincide with the ‘United Nations International Day of People with Disabilities’. Continue reading SUSE Peer Support for Work Facebook Group launch today
FM to reaffirm Scotland’s commitment to disability inclusion
The needs of disabled people will remain at the forefront of policy making in Scotland following the devolution of new powers from Westminster, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will say on Tuesday. Continue reading Breaking down barriers
Edinburgh’s Highland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre is to host Kidz to Adultz Scotland – one of the largest, free Scottish events dedicated to children and young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families and the professionals who work with them in Scotland.
Approximately 120,000 children and adults in Scotland are living with a learning disability, and over one million are living with a sensory impairment.
Over 80 exhibitors will assemble at Highland Hall on Thursday 15 September to offer advice, support and information on mobility, communication, equipment and technology, education, toys and learning aids, transport, beds and seating, service, funding, sports and leisure and much more.
Organised by registered charity Disabled Living and free to attend, the event will feature a host of educational and practical seminars accredited by The CPD Certification Service for parents, guardians, carers and professionals. Essential topics such as moving and handling, sleep issues, parental experiences, continence issues, legal advice and many others will be covered, with opportunities for parents and carers to ask questions during the day.
There will be representatives from local and national organisations including Caudwell Children, Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, Theraplay, Munro Rehab and Fast Aid Medical and Mobility Products and more.
Edinburgh Leisure will provide taster tennis sessions for all age groups including wheelchair tennis, additional support needs (ASN) tennis and cardio tennis.
Carmel Hourigan, senior manager at Disabled Living says: ‘Kidz to Adultz Scotland is a valuable opportunity for children and young adults, as well as their families, carers and professionals to find out more about the products and services available to them.
“We’ve got some fantastic organisations from Edinburgh and from around Scotland exhibiting and a great line up of speakers so all attendees will leave having learned something new. Professionals can also boost their CPD portfolios and gain credits by attending one or more of the FREE seminars taking place alongside the exhibition. Our ‘sports area’ will offer visitors a chance to try out a variety of tennis taster sessions throughout the day and all attendees will be entered into our free prize draw to win some fantastic prizes.”
Anna Myatt, Tennis development Officer from Edinburgh Leisure, says: “Summer 2016 has been named summer of sport with the Olympics, Paralympics and Wimbledon all taking place and following Andy Murray’s success at The Championships, we’re hoping to inspire more people to take up tennis and find out more about clubs and sessions in their local areas.”
All attendees will be entered into a free prize draw with prizes from Celtic Football Club and Rangers Football Club, The Edinburgh Dungeon, The Falkirk Wheel, The Royal Yacht Britannia and lots more.
Kidz to Adultz Scotland takes place in Highland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB, on Thursday 15 September from 9.30am to 4.30pm
For more information on the event and to book your free ticket, visit http://www.disabledliving.co.uk/Kidz/Scotland
