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Network Journal 2008 Issue 3 May/June |
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ADM 2008: Disability
Delegates united behind the executive council statement on Disability at Work – Tackling Discrimination, Organising in the Workplace which formed part of the debate on disability.
Brenda Bell (NW Boots Industrial) wants the Government to simplify the application process to claim disability living allowance. The form is long and complicated making it a long drawn out process," she said. "Around 60 per cent of claims fail."
Lesley Jarvis (Croydon Metropolitan) drew attention to the Family Fund available to parents of disabled children. "At present financial help is withdrawn after the child reaches 16 but their disability doesn't disappear," she said. "The fund supplies everything from domestic appliances to holidays and we shouldn't impose age limits on its use."
Kevin Masterton (East of Scotland General) spoke up for the blind and partially-sighted when he called for more rehabilitation staff to be trained to help workers cope with the pressures of failing eye sight. "Many blind people are left isolated because of the absence of rehabilitation staff," he said. "Newly registered partially-sighted people are not assessed or given any help because of the shortage of rehab workers."
Other speakers who joined the debate were; Robert Brown, Steve Ratcliffe, Denis Williams, Mary Gibson, and Terence Hamp.
General secretary John Hannett said: "The days of disability being considered a 'minority' issue are long gone, thanks to the expertise of our reps."
www.usdaw.org.uk/equality
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