Fulfilling Potential Forum on Disability 
Thursday 3rd July 2014
10.30 – 16.00

Summary of the second Forum

This note provides a summary of the discussions held at the second Fulfilling Potential Forum 

Welcome and introductions 

A full list of attendees is shown at Annex A. 

Introductions and Progress so far

1.	Pat Russell introduced herself as the new head of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). She thanked members who had travelled some distance to be at the Forum. She passed on apologies from Mike Penning and Norman Lamb who were unable to attend due to Parliamentary business. 

2.	Pat reflected on her first meeting with Mike and his view on the various strategies being delivered by the ODI and how he is much focused on delivering the commitments of the UN Convention and Fulfilling Potential. 

3.	Pat introduced John Coxon from the ODI who presented work to take forward the Accessible Britain Challenge 

Accessible Britain Challenge

4.	John Coxon re-capped for those who did not attend the April Forum, the intent of the Accessible Britain Challenge, which will be launched on 4 September.

•	To motivate public and private sector organisations to go beyond the minimum requirements of legislation.
•	To open doors to disabled people, engage, remove barriers and co-produce solutions.
•	To ensure that disabled people can actively engage and be fully involved in communities.

5.	ODI will be writing to decision makers and influencers in the community (typically Council leaders and CEOs) but many areas of society will ideally need to be involved including private sector employers; service providers; voluntary organisations; charities; and DPULOs. The aim is for co-produced solutions to overcome barriers faced by disabled people

6.	John explained that there would be a period of warming people up both individuals and organisations, national as well as local communities. Communication will be key.

7.	Forum members were asked to consider the following two questions: 

•	Who do you see as the key individuals/organisations to engage in the Challenge
•	What are the key considerations to encourage, support and participation from individuals and organisations in the Challenge?

8.	Forum members had the following comments:

•	Planning Policy on accessible buildings needs to be strengthened; currently the Policy does not address the real needs of disabled people?

9.	Following table discussions the following points were shared;

•	We need to engage with:
o	Commissioners, both local and clinical
o	Local enterprise partnerships, chambers of commerce
o	All political parties, especially leading up to the election
o	Transport operators given this really enables everything
o	Voluntary organisations such as the Women’s Institute

•	Promote a positive image of disabled people
•	We have Health Watch do we want a Disability Watch?

10.	John Coxon re-enforced the intent to fully involve the Forum and asked if there were further ideas outside of this to please e-mail these to the ODI. 

Action: Forum members to e-mail any further ideas 

Paralympic Legacy – Andrew Honeyman

11.	 Andrew shared with the Forum the details of a proposed national ‘Summit’ in the Autumn (as part of the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games) to promote physical activity for disabled people. The idea is to showcase good practice, share and recognise what the demand is and how activity and sport can be more accessible for disabled people. The national Summit could be a template for regional and local events. He ideally would see the Summit as linking with the Accessible Britain Challenge and the DAA.  
12.	 Forum members commented that:

•	Information should be accessible in Braille.

•	Gyms should be more accessible, often treadmills etc have screens for programming which are not accessible for people who are visually impaired. . 

Action: ODI to take the issue of accessible gym equipment to BIS 

•	The question of funding was raised as the Deaflympics had not been supported as opposed to £7 million being awarded to the British Americas Cup team. Andrew noted that was handled by a different part of DCMS.

Action: Andrew to report back on the criteria for funding sporting events

•	Andrew reiterated the emphasis from the Prime Minister that every department should be doing something towards promoting activity, getting people cycling, more children walking to school and uses gyms.

13.	Pat thanked Andrew and offered time for a broader session on Paralympic Legacy at a future Forum if this is what members would like. 

Legislative/regulatory barriers and anomalies faced by disabled People

14.	Stephen Thrower introduced the session to discuss barriers faced by disabled people; The Interdepartmental Ministerial Group has said that departments will look at legislative barriers or anomalies that disabled people face and whether they can be removed for example, the ban on deaf people being able to serve as jurors. Members were asked to share knowledge about any legislative regulatory barriers/anomalies that exist which affect disabled people and if they could consider the following three questions

•	What examples can you think of where disabled people are affected by a law or a regulation that does not affect non-disabled people?
•	Do you think the law or regulation should be removed or changed?
•	If you think the law or regulation should be changed, what is your idea for that?

15.	Forum members commented

•	The General Medical Council needs to be influenced, not to discriminate against disabled people.

•	Portability of Social Care to enable disabled people to move area/house>

•	Transport legislation – more accessible transport required (taxi drivers need to accept electric wheelchairs).

•	General barriers incorrectly citing data protection or health and safety.

•	Disabled people are not able to share a cabin on a cruise ship.

•	Information should be accessible – some people are not able to access websites or online applications.

•	There is a need for a ‘Once Service’ once you tell one department about a change of circumstances, this should be shared.

•	People with mental health issues are often discriminated against. 

”First Point of Contact” 

16.	The Interdepartmental Ministerial Group has suggested that a set of standard questions for use by those who meet or assist disabled people - such as the policy, Job Centre Plus, NHS staff - could be developed so that an individual’s needs are quickly identified and met. Their concern is a lack of awareness and ability to ask the right questions means that disabled people aren’t getting the help they need.

17.	Forum Members were asked the following questions:

•	From your experience, do you think that disabled people get the support and information they need, in the way that they need it, from people like the police or health care professionals when they first meet? 

•	Do you think that professionals know what to ask in order to be able to provide the right information or support to a disabled person? 

•	If you think there are problems, what are your ideas for improving the situation? Do you think that developing ideas for standard questions might help? If not, what would?

18.	Whilst recognising the intent, Forum members did not consider this to be a viable approach and commented that:

•	There are already good examples out there of first contact, children have an early support programme, and basically it is a log of conditions so this could be mirrored.

•	Disability awareness training needs to be given to everyone.

•	Disabled People come in all shapes and sizes, having one set of questions wouldn’t suit all.

•	Would be more of a ‘tick box’ exercise.

UN Convention 

19.	Stephen Thrower provided some background on the UN Convention for those members who were not familiar and asked the Forum Members to consider the following questions

•	Do you think there are areas where the government is not doing what the Convention requires, or not doing it well enough? Why do you think that?
•	Do you think there are areas where the government is doing what the Convention expects well? Why do you think that? 
•	If the government is not doing what you think it should under the Convention, what is your suggestion for change?

20.	Forum members commented:

•	The Mental Health Act is in breach of the UN Convention.

•	The closure of the ILF means that local authorities will be determining funding, which raises questions about resources.

•	Aticles 17,21 and 24 are being strongly challenged by disabled people’s organisations.

•	We need more co-production similar to this Forum.

•	Care Bill does not reflect the UN Convention, and the right to independent living.

•	Lack of choice and control for young people with learning disabilities, there is not enough support available to enable them to live independently (not with their parents).

•	Need to ensure local authorities are more aware of the UN Convention and apply it.

•	ALLFIE has a shadow paper to show the failings of government in supporting the UN Convention. When asked, ALLFIE said that they would not share this with the Government.

Accessible Formats in DWP - Jon O’Donnell

21.	Jon O’Donnell presented an update on work on-going within DWP to provide accessible formats. His team have been doing a lot of work with RNIB and external stakeholders to make sure information is provided in the right format to people who are blind and visually impaired. Information will be available in Braille, by e-mail. It will be made clear to the public and the DWP staff what alternative formats will be available and accepted, including e-mail if this is the reasonable adjustment. This will cover all benefits from 2015.

22.	Once this review has been completed we will be looking at widening it to include Easy Read.

23.	Forum members asked if they could have a summary from Jon about the reform to enable them to share it with their contacts.

Action: Jon to provide this which will be included in the Forum note
•	Can VRS be included in the review for deaf people?
•	Can DWP use a password between them and the customer to confirm identity? This was agreed
•	Once the review is complete can this be shared across government?

24.	Jon provided the opportunity for the members to provide any further input into the review by e-mailing the ODI.

DPLUO Showcase – Mick Dillon, DPULO Eastern Region

25.	Mick provided an overview DPULOs, some being charities while some are CICs (limited companies) they support many disabled people and their families through their networks. Money is very tight and they are having difficulties now competing for contracts as the market is now very competitive. DPULOs are in a unique position being close to disabled people and what is happening at the grass roots of society. Mick feels that they are able to support the Fulfilling Potential Forum by being in this unique position. 

26.	Pat thanked everyone for attending and reassured Members that the discussions would be shared with both of the Ministers. 

Annex A

Forum Members 

Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE)          	Joe Whittaker for Tara Flood
British Deaf Association (BDA)                             	David Buxton
British Institute for Learning Disability (BILD)    	Keith Smith for Ann Chivers
Disability Action Northern Ireland                         	Kevin Doherty
Disability Rights UK (DRUK)                                 	Liz Sayce
Disability Wales                                                       	Rhian Davies
Equalities National Council (ENC)                      	Julie Jaye Charles
Action on Hearing Loss                                         	Paul Breckell
Inclusion Scotland                                                  	Sally Witcher
Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD)                      	Jane Harris
Mencap                                                                      	Alan Milner for Cathy Hinman
Mind                                                                           	Tom Pollard for Paul Farmer
National Federation of the Blind                           	Jill Allen-King
People First Self Advocacy                                    	Apologies
RNIB                                                                          	Hugh Huddy for Steve Winyard
Scope                                                                         	Carena Rogers for Anna Bird
Spinal Injuries Association                                    	Apologies
UK Disabled Peoples Council (UKDPC)            		Julie Newman
Age UK                                                                      	Apologies
British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA)  Brian Chenier for 
            							Heather Nicholson
Royal British Legion                                            	Harriet Deane for Nick Donavan
Carers UK                                                                 	Katherine Wilson 
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS)   	Rashmi Becker for Barry Horne
Marie Curie Cancer Care                                       	Caroline Weston for Dr Jane Collins
Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities Network (PMLDN) Apologies
Regard                                                                       	Apologies
Rethink                                                                      	Apologies
Sense                                                                        	Richard Kramer
Voluntary Organisations Disabilities Group (VODG)     Non attendance
Whizz-Kidz                                                                	Jonathan Everett for Rhiannon Hughes
National Autistic Society                                        	Simon Shaw
DPULO London Rep. from Inclusion London                Tracey Lazard
DPULO NE Rep.  from Darlington Disability                  Apologies
DPULO NW Rep   from Breakthrough UK                      Lorraine Gradwell
DPULO SW Rep from Access Dorset                            Kieran Bright
DPULO SE Rep                                                      	Theresa Hodge
DPULO East  from Disability Resource Centre              Mick Dillon
DPULO Yorks and Humber, from Leeds CIL                 Andrew McDermott
DPULO WM                                                           	Pete Millington
DPULO EM from Disability Direct                                  Amo Raju

Job Shadow
Eamon Andrews (Shaping our Lives DULO)
Judith Margolis (Cambridgeshire Alliance)
Jaspal Dhani