Tel: 01473 836777
Fax: 01473 836778
Textphone: 01473 836779
Email enquiries@optua.org.uk
Tel: 01473 836777
Fax: 01473 836778
Textphone: 01473 836779
Email enquiries@optua.org.uk
Optua welcomes review of Blue Badge system
Optua has welcomed the news that the Government is to launch a crackdown on the abuse of blue badges and the misuse of parking spaces for blue badge holders.
Linda Hoggarth, chairman of Optua and herself a blue badge holder, said: "Obviously we don't have the full details of what is being proposed, but Optua is very supportive of action to cut down the abuse of the blue badge system in order to help genuine blue badge holders. Disabled people in Suffolk are constantly telling us that people who are not disabled are parking in bays reserved for people who are. They often also tell us of instances where blue badges are being used illegally, for example when someone parks using another persons' blue badge."
"Anything that strengthens the eligibility criteria for getting a blue badge and the enforcement of the law when the blue badge system is being abused would be a positive move. Parking spaces for blue badge holders are provided to help disabled people who really need them and people who park in them illegally or use someone else's blue badge are making life more difficult for disabled people. There is not enough enforcement in respect of the legal use of blue badges and parking spaces for blue badge holders, so we hope that the proposals will reduce illegal use of blue badges and will act as a deterrent to those attempting to abuse the use of blue badges."
"We also welcome the news that the eligibility criteria for blue badges are being extended to include people with temporary disabilities, disabled ex-service men and young children with disabilities."
Around 40 disabled people, family carers and people from organisations representing their interests came along to our second Members Forum in Kesgrave in December.
This was the second event Optua has held for people to hear an update on the county council's plans to introduce Self Directed Support and Personal Budgets in Suffolk. It also featured an opportunity to ask questions of Graham Gatehouse, Director of Adult and Community Services at Suffolk County Council and Anna McCreadie, the council's Service Access and Partnership Director.
Graham and Anna listened to all the concerns and said these would be taken into account as the plans for Self Directed Support develop. Graham said that it was very useful to be able to come to talk with members and that we should arrange these meetings on a fairly regular basis.
For more information about personal budgets you can also go to www.suffolk.gov.uk/CareAndHealth/Money/PersonalBudgets.htm.
New disability sport coaching bursary scheme launched
A new Disability Sport Coaching Bursary scheme is now being run by a partnership of Suffolk County Council, Optua and Suffolk Sport.
For more information click here.
Optua Homecare gets excellent rating!
Optua Homecare is celebrating after receiving a rating of 'excellent' following a recent inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The report gave Optua Homecare a 'three star excellent service', the highest rating given.
Optua Homecare is only in its second full year of operation after being set up to provide a care service for disabled and older people in their own homes. The inspection by CSCI asked some of Optua Homecare's clients for their personal opinion on the service and their comments included:
Optua Homecare now has over 50 clients. The service is based in Woodbridge and provides a service to Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and the surrounding rural and coastal areas, including Aldeburgh, Leiston and Saxmundham. The service is constantly on the look out for new homecarers so if you are interested please visit our vacancies page for more details or call 01394 388588. The full inspection report and more information about CSCI can be found via this link.
Achievements summarised at Optua's Annual General meeting
Optua's Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 16 July at Needham Market Community Centre.
Between 50 and 60 of our members came along to hear presentations about our work and achievements in 2007/08 including personal testimonies from clients of our Care and Homecare service and Optua UK's Community Brain Injury Services. Our success stories over the past year have included:
Optua's Annual Review of 2007/08 is available from its main office on 01473 836777.
National interest in Suffolk Disability Sport Academy
Optua's Suffolk Disability Sport Academy has had national recognition recently.
The Academy has been highlighted in a national report recently launched by Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell. The Department for Culture Media and Sport's Legacy Action Plan: 'Before, during and after: making the most of the London 2012 Games', highlights Optua's disability sport academy as a community project positively promoting sport in the run up to London 2012.
Colin Poole, Chief Executive of Optua, said: "It is great to be highlighted in this national report. London 2012 will inspire many people to take up sport and want to go on and achieve something. Disabled people are no exception and we have already seen how popular the events we have organised have been. There has been an exciting buzz at our disability sport showcase days and many people have gone on to take part in regular sessions. It's an extremely positive project we're proud to have got off the ground."
You can view the report here.
One of Optua's Disability Sport Training Sessions was also chosen as part of a visit to Suffolk by Sir Keith Mills, Deputy Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 24 June where he also heard about the work of the Disability Sport Academy.
For more information about the Suffolk Disability Sport Academy click here.
14 teams of people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities took part in this year's Optua RHS Games at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook on Thursday 26 June.
This year's games included fun events such as welly-throwing, skittles and ball games.
Sudbury Resource Centre were crowned the winners after a final between their team and the 'Stowmarket Stars'. The winning team received a trophy and both they and the Stowmarket Stars received medals for their efforts.
This now annual event was enjoyed by everyone who took part in the day and we are very grateful to all the RHS volunteers for making it such a fantastic day.
Lucky 13 for young powerlifter
At our recent Disability Sport Showcase Day in Great Cornard, 16-year-old powerlifter Nathaniel Wilding became the 13th up and coming athlete, and the first one with a disability, to receive a grant from the Suffolk SportsAid Foundation.
Nathaniel received a cheque for £500 and has his sights firmly set on representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics. He is not only ranked number one in his age group in Great Britain but is also in the top 20 in Europe. This season he is scheduled to compete in the British Championships, the French Open and the Junior World Development Championships in America.
The Suffolk SportsAid Foundation was launched last December with the specific aim of raising money to help Suffolk's up and coming sportsmen and women to achieve on the national, international and world stage. It is a joint initiative between SportsAid, the national charity for sport, Suffolk Sport and Rising to the Challenge Suffolk, the campaign to maximise the benefits for Suffolk from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nathaniel is a member of the successful Suffolk Spartans Powerlifting Club which is based in East Bergholt and which Optua helped to set up. The Suffolk Spartans already have several talented young members who have a bright future in the sport.
For more information on the Suffolk Sportsaid Foundation, visit www.suffolksportsaid.com.
For more information on the Suffolk Spartans, visit www.suffolkspartans.co.uk.
Have your say on disability issues in Forest Heath
The Forest Heath Disability Forum was set up in 2007 by Forest Heath District Council with support from Optua. The aim was to set up a group to represent the interests of all disabled people living in the district and which can feed back to the council and other organisations on any issues which are raised. It will also provide an opportunity for the council to consult with disabled people on any issues which directly affect them.
Anyone who might want to become involved is still welcome to contact us. Anyone with a disability or those representing disability organisations are welcome to take part. You can view the terms of reference and minutes of previous meetings here. The next meeting will be held on 17 February 2009 at Red Lodge Millennium Centre at 10.30am.
Anyone interested in hearing more about the forum should contact Emma Ferris on 01638 719301 or Optua on 01473 836746. Forest Heath District Council may be able to assist with travel arrangements to enable people to get to the meeting. Optua are working in partnership with Forest Heath District Council to help deliver their Disability Equality Duty to residents and to improve the way they consult with and inform disabled people, their carers and groups representing them.
