Perth & Kinross Access Group

At Perth and Kinross Access Group we promote a barrier free environment for people with Physical Disabilities,Learning Disabilities, Sensory Impairment or Mental ill Health.

We address Access Problems in the built and natural environment,as well as access to information and opportunity.

Click here to read PKAG's April Newsletter

Bells Sports Cente run a No limits Class on a Thursday from 10.30-11.30.  The class includes various sports such as boccia, new age curling, badminton and basketball. 

More information can be found here

Live Active Leisure have updated their Stride For Life Programme which you can find here

You can also find information on their website

http://www.liveactive.co.uk/active-outdoors/stride-for-life/walks-in-your-area

We need your help! If you have ever had an issue with Disabled toilets in Perth and Kinross that say they are a disabled toilet but which are not adequate for the purpose then please let us know. We are especially interested in toilets within bars and cafes. If you could list the name of the place, when you were last there (if possible) plus what, if any, were the consequences we would be very grateful. Other info that would be useful is was it just too tight a turning space or did the business have it choc a bloc with boxes etc?

Costa have placed a disclaimer outside about their toilet so you know before you go in if you will be able to use it.  This has been welcomed by members of the group.

Thank you very much for your help.

PKAG

The Scottish Campaign for a Fair Society are holding a  fundraising evening in Glasgow on 29^th June.  you can find more information here

The Scottish Government have introduced the Self-Directed Support Bill.  This Bill aims to improve the uptake and provision of Self-Directed Support, to enable disabled people to exercise greater choice and control over their individual community care package.  You can see an overview from SDEF by clicking here.

You can also complete two surveys that SDEF have compiled to tell them what you think of Self Directed Support.

Survey 1    and Survey 2      

Perth and Kinross Access Group have recently held Disability Awareness and Equality Training with Taxi Drivers in the area.

The following Taxi Drivers completed the training.

Spinal Injuries Scotland are hosting a live monthly internet webcast.

Click here for more information

Click here to access the Wheelchair Survey which looks into the experience Scottish people have in trying to get the right chair for them.

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have compiled a Best Practice Guidelines for Sensory Impairment, Deaf, Hearing Impaired & Deafblind.

Click here to read the document.

The Department of Transport have published the finding of the consultation on the proposed changes to the laws governing powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.

You can find all the information by clicking here

Joe FitzPatrick MSP is working on a Responsible Parking Bill which he says the following about:

"The Bill aims to allow all pedestrians to travel along the pavement and cross roads free from obstructions caused by vehicles which in extreme cases can leave people trapped inside their homes.

The bill proposes to introduce a Scotland wide ban on parking at dropped kerbs, on the pavement and double parking. There will be exceptions on the face of the bill such as for streets with extra wide pavements, and Local Authorities will be able to make exemptions based on local circumstances.

Introducing prohibition of parking at dropped kerbs and on pavements will be of benefit to all of the Scottish public, it will be especially beneficial to the most vulnerable in society the elderly and the disabled those who are wheel chair users and the increasing numbers of those who use powered mobility vehicles, it will also benefit all those with buggies and push chairs. It can also save Local Authorities money, Edinburgh Council spent over £40 Million in the last 5 years on pavement repairs and compensation claims related to accidents caused by damaged pavements, many of which are the result of vehicles parking on pavements."

You can find more information about the consultation here

You can submit an online responce by clicking here

This consultation runs until the 30th June.

The government is running a consultation on Personal Independence Payments and assessment thresholds.  They are looking for the views of disabled people to help them put the second draft of the assessment criteria together.  You can find out more information about this consultation and where to send your views to here.

Leonard Cheshire are also looking for views from disabled people on this issue so that they can write to the government.  To find out their views on the issue and tell them what you think please click here.

You can also find out more about Personal Independence Payments by going to the Department for Work and Pensions website which you can find here.

Leonard Cheshire Disability wants to know what are the current problems facing disabled people in the UK and what the Government can do to fix these. They will use what you say to tell the Government what they should include in their disability strategy.

Click here to see the questions they are asking.