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Read The Christmas Edition of Thanet Disability Forum Newsletter
Should you prefer a printed copy of our Newsletter please contact us.
Have you got anything you would like included in our Newsletter? We would especially like to receive articles on hearing and sight impairement so as to balance the disabilities covered. Items from other organizations would also be very welcome.
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Our 2008 Annual General Meeting
A lower than expected turnout attended
the 1st TDF AGM on 1st November at
Holy Trinity Church. Whilst the dismal
weather may have been to blame those
who attended went away feeling positive
about the event.
Phien O’Reactigan Chair of TDF
opened the proceedings by welcoming
members, councilors and other interested
parties before giving his annual
report. This highlighted successful
campaigns and issues originally
brought to our notice in the inaugural
meeting the year before. He acknowledged
how individual committee members
are representing the disabled on
other forums e.g. the police, the Turner
Centre build and KCC Adult Strategic
Partnership Group. The success of the
Newsletter has given a voice to members
and Phien thanked both editor and
his wife, Roy and Sylvie Nicholls on
their excellent publication.
Parking continues to cause controversy,
and disabled parking bays will
remain a crusade for the foreseeable
future.
Phien thanked the Trinity Resource
Centre for their support in allowing
meetings to be held at the Church, and
for the buffet provided today.
Speakers gave insight into aspects of
disability they either represent or contact
on a regular basis.
Mayor of Ramsgate
Kay Dark,
gave a brief resume
of working
as a leisure therapist
amongst victims
of Alzheimer's
and similar
conditions.
Brendon Ryan
of TDC covered
all aspects
of Council responsibility for housing in Thanet,
explaining the decisions relating to the
Disabled Facilities Grant and of its
funding.
Sandy Ezekiel -
Chairman of
Thanet District
Council came
unprepared as
a speaker, but
when put on
the spot
showed genuine
concern
over disability
issues highlighted
locally.
He informed us
there are facilities especially within Leisure
Force for disabled
persons in
sport. Sandy also felt
the lack of media
interest needs addressing
and he
would pursue this
aspect personally.
Michael Jarvis -
Councilor, who has
always maintained
an interest in TDF
since its inception spoke personally on
his involvement with communication
and website issues. He acknowledged
how we take for granted ability in every
day life, not considering the difficulties
disabled people regularly overcome.
Sylvie Nicholls - representing the
Newsletter spoke on the diversity of
articles printed within it. Whilst good
compliments had been received on the
content, she placed an emphasis on
the need for articles from members. To
be at the forefront of news and to maintain
a high level of understanding for all
disabilities requires input and information
from all sufferers. Sylvie has offered
to create articles from phone calls
by members on their issues, acknowledging
the difficulty some may find in
putting pen to paper.
The meeting drew to a close after a
question and answer session, when a
splendid buffet was enjoyed as everyone
socialized. Thanks should go to
Amanda Figg for coordinating the event
and for Kate Robson for giving up a
Saturday in supporting TDF as our advisor.
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Disabled Are Given Voice by Forum
The prime aim of Thanet Disability Forum since its inception is to promote the issue
of disability among Thanet residents, highlighting the difficulties they incur.
In their first year the forum challenged parking-bay issues and supported national campaigns for supermarket disabled-bay abuse. Despite the official word of some supermarkets, the problem still remains locally.
Also, in an attempt for equality, officers have already joined local travel and police forums, as well as represented the disabled on the Turner Centre build. Their insight is invaluable as they open the eyes of officials to daily occurrences in the hope progress brings forth equality. In an effort to forge links with the younger generation one officer has been invited to join students at Hartsdown Technology College, providing hands-on experience of need to those studying for the society health and development diploma. It was here that the deficit in information became apparent. Where do you go for details about clubs and specific facilities for the disabled? While equality should mean disabled people can join any group, the needs of many make this impossible.
At the Thanet Disability Forum AGM a suggestion was put forward to draw up a register of every local group which specialises in either support or fun activities for the disabled. Schools usually provide afterhours clubs, but once you leave education, what is there for you?
We are asking that any group providing activities or support for the disabled (regardless of age), contact Thanet Disability Forum to ensure knowledge of their facilities is relayed to those who need them.
Details are:
PO BOX 455,
Birchington CT7 9BT
01843 295326
Sylvie Nicholls
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