BDEF is an organisation of Disabled people who live, work or study in the Bristol area of England.
What has your experience been at festivals as a person living with an impairment? Would you mind lending your experience to a questionnaire for a Cardiff University Student to help with their research?
Once completed, please email Saskia with the attachment.
Postcode Films have recently been commissioned by an independent research agency called Hopkins Van Mil, who are helping to conduct a year long review that will be used to inform a multi-disciplinary National Food Strategy, the first of its kind in 75 years. The review, which will make recommendations to the government. Postcode Films have been commissioned to record audio interviews with people who may be less likely to be able to have their say in this way, for a variety of reasons from mobility to work schedules. We want to include as many voices as possible, because the findings from this research will in time affect people of all kinds across England, and no one group should be disenfranchised for reasons of access. Kate from Postcode lottery is looking into coming to Bristol and hosting interviews (audio recorded and anonymous) to be used as data and in the workshops to inform discussions. The participants would be paid £40 for their time.
In particular at the moment they are hoping to reach people that might fit any of the following descriptions, in case this helps (they don’t have to fit all of these descriptions):
Are you interested in lending your experience to research? Contact Kate on kate@postcodefilms.com
If you are a person who is blind or partially-sighted, over 18, who lives in Bristol, then the Bristol Sight Loss Councils wants to hear from you.
The Sight Loss Council is a group of people who are blind or partially sighted, who have come together as volunteers to work with decision-takers, policy-makers and service providers in the city, to bring about positive change for people with sight loss. The priorities they focus on are education, employment, health and social care, sport and leisure, technology, and transport.
They want to hear from people who are blind or partially sighted, regarding what issues under each of the priorities you want us to work on in 2020. You can do this through filling in a short survey.
If you ring their dedicated phoneline, on 020 8996 1937, you can leave a message and someone will call you back to complete the survey over the telephone with you. You can also request a large-print, Braille or audio copy by ringing the dedicated number. For those with internet access, the survey can be accessed on a computer or mobile phone at: https://forms.gle/JN9cFRShG7urmw6f9
The survey is open from 1st February to 29th February.
The chair of BS3 Planning Group is stepping down on Friday and currently there is no replacement.
This is a group for people interested in the local built environment, from tiny houses to 21 storey blocks of flats and everything in between. New members are always welcome.
The group gets consulted by developers as part of the neighbourhood planning group network. They aim to meet monthly but often meet less frequently. As well as meetings, the chair aims to email round about local planning applications and update the Facebook page. Action Greater Bedminster is keen to support this group to continue and is happy to help how we can.
The chair role could be shared. You do not need a background in planning, just an interest and the ability to communicate.
If you might be interested in taking it on email Neil bs3planninggroup@gmail.com for further info.
If you want to live in a community that is accessible and inclusive for all, this could be your chance!
Warning: This has potentially triggering content
Let’s start the decade by getting the harassment of Disabled Women and non-binary folk made illegal in Britain as making something illegal is to bring in consequences for perpetrators.
It is a genuine fear and a reality lived by many members of the disability community, with statistics showing that Disabled people are more than twice as likely to experience sexual assault and harassment. A petition has been launched to campaign towards a law being passed which makes harassment crime. Please sign this petition and make the world a slightly safer place.
Every day a Disabled person will encounter someone who wants to ‘help’, even if it isn’t asked for – hese people aren’t necessarily doing wrong by wanting to help out. Even worse, there are instances where people will, retaliate with aggression after being told ‘no’. Then there are the people who might ‘help’ to get people’s trust before doing something worse, such as sexual assault or inappropriately propositions which can be physically and mentally damaging to a Disabled person’s wellbeing.
In recent years we have seen the rise of campaigns to raise awareness of sexual assault and harassment such as #MeToo and #Timesup which has dominated the media. Thanks to social media people are finally speaking out, whether it be to share their story or showing solidarity.
We in the disability community have a similar tag of #JustAskDontGrab to share their stories and experiences of being ‘helped’ when they didn’t want it and weren’t asked if they did’ to inform the wider public of how best to help someone and with the importance of asking a Disabled people if they want any help. Fashion magazine Grazia has highlighted the campaign which has increased in support.
Sign the petition here – https://www.change.org/p/make-street-harassment-illegal-in-…
The Alliance for Inclusive Education have released their manifesto. You can read the PDF version below.
For more Information visit their website
FREE Diabetes event for South Asian and Somali people at Easton Community Centre, BS5 6AW on 26th November between 12pm and 2pm with Diabetes UK.
Services for those affected by domestic and sexual abuse are being recommissioned in order that Public Health have new contracts in place by August 1st 2021.
In order to facilitate this Public Health are gathering views and information to inform the process. One way that you can contribute is to complete the survey through the link below:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/DSA_survey/
Closing date 12 noon 26th November 2019
With the cold weather and dark nights officially upon us, it is important for Disabled and Chronically ill people to be as comfortable and safe as possible. Bristol blogger Niamh Gabrielle has written her own personal guide into surviving winter while Disabled and Chronically ill. Click here to read her personal blog post.
Keep up to date with Niamh on the following Socials:
Blog – https://www.niamhgabrielle.co.uk/
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/niamhgabriellex/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/NiamhGabrielleX
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/niamhgabriellex/
Please note we as an organisation don’t endorse any of the products featured in this post.
Mental Health Act Review – Support Urgently needed!
Over the last few months a number of user-led groups have been campaigning for major changes in the Mental Health Act Review recommendations, to bring them in line with full human rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Will you help stop compulsory detention in hospital of people with mental health difficulties, autism and/or learning difficulties? Then please support this campaign by:
You can find a copy with hyperlinks here and one with full web links here. For guidance about how to contact MP candidates, see here.