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BREAKING NEWS - BREAKING NEWS
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NEW PARENT ADVISORY GROUPS BEING SET UP
Parenting NI is currently recruiting parents to new Parent Advisory Groups in the Northern, Southern and Western Health Trust areas as well as parents across all of Northern Ireland who have a child with a disability to join the new regional disability themed group. To read more click here.
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WARM HOMES SCHEME
If you own your own home or privately rent it and are in receipt of certain benefits you could receive help in a variety of ways to heat your home and keep it warm. To learn more click here
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INTERESTED IN BOCCIA? IN BELFAST?
I hadn't a clue what BOCCIA meant though I suspected it might be a city or town very far away which I hadn't known about. However Pamela Dickey and Janet Davidson from SHINE are determined that we know about BOCCIA. Apparently it is a game similar to to traditional bowls where the aim is to place the balls closer to the jack. The great thing is that it can be played from a seated position and can be both challenging and fun. Pamela has arranged a series of evenings in Belfast in March so it's an opportunity to meet new friends, have some fun learning a new game and you can bring a relative or friend with you. Full details of when and where and who to contact can be found by clicking here and here ____________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTED IN BOCCIA and NEW AGE CURLING?
IN COOKSTOWN?
Belfast might be getting BOCCIA but Cookstown area is getting BOCCIA and NEW AGE CURLING (whatever that is!) sessions followed by tea/coffee and the usual great craic which is a feature now of these Cookstown Adult Group get-togethers. Janet Davidson and Pamela Dickey from SHINE have set this up and arranged a coach from the Active Communities Programme. Full details of when and where and who to contact can be found by clicking here and here ____________________________________________________________________________
SWIMMING SESSIONS EVERY SATURDAY IN BELFAST
Time for a reminder about the popular swimming sessions held every Saturday at the Templemore Avenue Swim Centre, Templemore Avenue, Belfast from 3 - 4 pm. The sessions are exclusively for the use of those with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and also their families/carers. Anyone thinking of going along for the first is encouraged to do so. They are invited to contact the Secretary of the Belfast Branch of NIASBAH (click here for Veronica's contact details) Veronica will then arrange to meet people going along for the first time. At the moment Veronica is exploring the possibility of securing the assistance of a qualified swimming instructor-we'll keep you updated about how that progresses. ___________________________________________________________________________
NEW GOVERNMENT DLA FORM FOR CHILDREN
Government launching new Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claim form for children - See Contact a Family website:
http://ow.ly/8FueY__________________________________________________________________
MINISTER KENNEDY WANTS YOUR VIEWS ON ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
From 19 January until 12 April Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy is seeking your views on his new Accessible Transport Strategy (ATS) Plan. You can find details of what the Minister wants from you by clicking here.
Areas he is interested in are as follows:
In developing the ATS five main areas were identified as constituting significant barriers for older people and people with disabilities. These include:
a. the physical barriers that prevented people from accessing transport services;
b. the attitudinal or psychological barriers that prevent or discourage older people or people with disabilities from using transport services;
c. the provision of information needed by users or potential users of accessible transport services and the way it is provided;
d. the type of services required; and
e. the affordability of accessible transport services.
The Department for Regional Development will be holding a series of public consultation meetings in Belfast, Londonderry and Omagh. Details are as follows:
Date | Location | Venue | Time |
6 March 2012 | Londonderry | Millennium Forum | 14:00-15:30 |
7 March 2012 | Omagh | Omagh Community House | 14:00-15:30 |
12 March 2012 | Belfast | Grosvenor House | 14:00-15:30 |
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FOOTBALL FOR PERSONS AGED 7+ WITH A PHYSICAL AND/OR MENTAL DISABILITY
The Irish Football Association has again organised a series of football sessions across Northern Ireland for persons aged 7+ with a physical and/or mental disability. These activities were a great success last year and many people have been wiating anxiously to herar whether they are taking place again. To access full details of when and where and who to contact click here.
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UPDATE ON CHARITIES ACT (NI) 2008 FROM NICVA
In September 2008 the Charities Bill became the Charities Act (NI) 2008. NICVA has prepared a paper to explain the progress in the implementation of the Act's main provisions.
In September 2008, further to receipt of Royal Assent, the Charities Bill became the Charities Act (NI) 2008. NICVA has prepared a paper which provides you with a brief explanation of progress of the implementation of the main provisions of the Act.
The main points of the paper cover:
- The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
- The meaning of charitable purpose
- The public benefit test
- Registration of charities
- Charity accounts, reports and returns
- A charity tribunal
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations
- Charity trustees
- Public charitable collections
- Control of fundraising
To read the full document click here.
BENEFIT AND TAX CREDIT RATES - 2011
A full list of Benefit and Tax Credit rates, effective since April, 2011, can be accessed by clicking here _________________________________________________________________________
CEA CARD
The CEA Card is a national concessionary card developed by the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association for UK cinemas in order to allow people with disabilities to obtain one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. A number of cinemas in Northern Ireland are participating in this very useful scheme. To view full details click here.
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PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS
- the effect on YOU More info from ASBAH
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are set to replace the working age (16-64) Disability Living Allowance(DLA) from 2013-2014.
Existing working age recipients will also begin to be reassessed from 2013/14. This development could have serious implications for many ASBAH members and their families.
ASBAH has issued very useful information on this important issue and you can view this by clicking here.
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ASBAH NI LAUNCHES FOLIC ACID MANIFESTO - How many candidates will add their support to this vitally important campaign? The campaign aims to find and promote new ways to make certain that women take folic acid to prevent Neural Tube Defects.
ASBAH is urgently calling on the new NI Assembly to take decisive action to ensure that awareness is raised about the need for women to start taking folic acid before they become pregnant, and thus protect thousands of future NI citizens from the loss of life and permanent disability that results from neural tube defects.
ASBAH are asking all Assembly candidates to support us by signing up for this campaign now at
http://www.gofolic.co.uk/gofolicNI.aspx
ASBAH members can also help by signing up for the campaign andf getting relatives and friends to do likewise. To view the campaign leaflet and sign up click here.
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FULL LIST OF BENEFIT RATES FOR 2011
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FAMILY FUND CHANGES CRITERIA The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled or seriously ill children and young people aged 17 and under to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life.The Fund give grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child, young person and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, computers and holidays.
The Fund will now consider a grant application from any family caring for a disabled child or a young person aged 17 and under in Northern Ireland (and elsewhere in the UK) who can evidence that they are in receipt of Govt benefits benefits. For more details go to: www.familyfund.org.uk
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CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER REPORT 2009-Spina Bifida, etc births from 1995-2008
You can now view the number of births of children with spina bifida/hydrocephalus/anencephalus/downs syndrome for the year 2008 and right through from 1995 onwards. To view click
here. Source: Child Health System and NISRA.
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