October 2002Liverpool Branch Newsletter
TRANSPORT PROBLEMS - AN UP DATE
Following the article in the last issue of our newsletter, I can now provide you with some further details.
A meeting was called in August at Scope Nursery by Sue Pardo, a parent
whose child attends that nursery.
It seemed that many parents (of children with SEN who were about
to start school) had been told that no transport would be provided as their
children were in receipt of the mobility component of DLA and, therefore,
it was expected that this money be used to pay for their transport rather
than being provided by the LEA. They had, indeed, received letters stating
that transport would not be provided because of this.
The meeting decided to call on Colin Hilton, Executive Director for Education, to attend a further meeting to explain, in detail, the LEA’s position.
This meeting took place at Mencap on 28th August, and there were three members of your committee, plus Eric Nicholas (DSA North West Co-ordinator), there to add weight to the proceedings.
Colin Hilton apologised for the letters and explained that it was
a mistake! He said there were plans to review the transport criteria but
these were still at the suggestion stage. It seems someone in the transport
section got it wrong and implemented it
immediately! In computer terms this may be described as a CCU error.
(Colossal Cock-Up)!
The LEA plan for the review to take place by the October half-term,
and anyone already in receipt of transport would retain that right, at
least until the end of the next school year (July 2003). Those starting
or changing schools would continue to receive it until the October half-term
when, again, it would be reviewed. At this stage, Colin Hilton could not
say what the future arrangements would be until after the meetings
of his department and the City Council, but suggested that, as far as he
could see, there would be little or no change for those children needing
transport and that mobility allowance or family circumstances would not
be used as the criteria. It would be based solely on the needs of the child.
We now have to wait for further developments. Rest assured that,
if your committee do not think the new criteria are fair, we will take
the matter further.
Colin Hill - Chair.
HELP
Everything is booked for this years Christmas party but we need a
disco at a reasonable cost. Do we have a parent who could help out or do
you know of anyone, relative, friend etc. who has a disco?
Details of this years party may be found on the following below.
If you think you can help, please contact our secretary, Mal, on 0151 494
2992 to discuss it further.
GULLIVER’S
WORLD FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
We have again purchased tickets for the fireworks display at Gulliver’s World, Warrington on Saturday 2nd November. The park opens from 1.00p.m. until 8.00 p.m. with the fireworks display at approximately 7.15 p.m.
The normal admission price would be £7.50 for all ages (children under 90 cms. tall get in free and don’t need a ticket). We are offering 4 tickets per family at the low price of £2.50 each, with any additional tickets at the reduced price of £5.50 each.
Please note, we will not be providing transport.
Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis. To order
tickets, please write to:-
The Secretary,
DSA Liverpool Branch,
PO Box 1, Mossley Hill D.O.,
Liverpool L18 4SD,
stating how many tickets you require. Please enclose a cheque for
the appropriate amount made out to ‘DSA Liverpool Branch’ and a stamped,
self addressed envelope. Requests for tickets should be received no later
than Saturday 19th October.
Tickets will be sent to you as soon as possible. Please note that
, due to the time it takes to obtain tickets from Gulliver’s World, we
cannot accept any application for tickets received after the cut off date.
If you wish to confirm your booking, please
telephone Mal Hill on 0151 494 2992.
*****************CHRISTMAS
PARTY 2002*********************** 
Children with Down’s syndrome, their brothers and sisters, mums, dads, grans and granddads are cordially invited to our Christmas party on
Saturday 7th December 2.00p.m. to 5.00p.m.
at
St Anthony of Padua Church Hall
Queens Drive, Liverpool 18
We are delighted to announce the return of Waldo the Clown for this
years party and we are also hoping for a visit from
Father Christmas.
To help us with the catering, it would be great if you could contact our secretary either by phone, email or snail mail to let her know how many adults and children you will be bringing (before 30th November if possible). See above for all contact details.
DLA
If you are in the process of filling in DLA forms at the moment, you may find the following web sites useful -
www.nacc.org.uk/childguide.pdf
Help with claiming Welfare Benefits is also available from the DSA National Office (020 8682 4001). Christina Katic and Helen Wild are available from Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
The following three items are taken from the newsletter of DSA South West Thames Branch
GOING TO COLLEGE VIDEO
Growing up with Down’s Syndrome ...
Going to College is the title of the video made by the SW Thames
Branch last year. We are reminded that copies are still available at only
£5 (thanks to the Lottery funding which contributed towards its cost).
Young people with learning difficulties, their teachers and families will
find this 14 minute video answers many of the questions they may have about
life after school. You may like to encourage your local secondary school,
special school or college to order copies. Cheques should be made payable
to:
DSA South West Thames Branch
and sent to:
The Down’s Syndrome Association
155 Mitcham Road,
London SW17 9PG
MAKATON ROADCRAFT
The Makaton Vocabulary Development Project, working with a Road Safety
Officer with considerable experience with people with learning difficulties,
has created an attractive book to assist with teaching safe road behaviour.
The ability to cross a road
is essential for independence but presents an additional challenge
if the pupil has limited communication skills.
The book guides the teacher on the signs recommended to endorse the
illustrations, all of which are clear and based on what the pupil will
have already learnt. This book is recommended for teachers (especially
parents) of pupils of all ages. The spiral bound book costs £25
Tel: 01276 675564
Web Site: www.makaton.org
SPINE WEAKNESS
Some children and adults with Down’s syndrome have a weakness at the top of the spine known as Atlanto-Axial Instability or Insubluxation. This is rare and may not be checked reliably by X-ray.
However, if your child complains when his/her hair is brushed or combed, or there is any other sign of pain or discomfort at the top of the spine, be sure to get expert advice.
See ‘Cervical Spine Instability’ on the web site: www.intellectualdisability.info
Thank you South West Thames
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
(This following article is reprinted from DSA Journal, Issue 100, Summer 2002.)
A further step has been taken towards achieving inclusive education
for disabled children and young people.
From September 1st 2002, education is no longer excluded from the
law against discrimination and it will be possible to take action if a
child or young person is discriminated against in school or college because
of their disability.
This change in the law is being well publicised in teaching circles and we hope that this will, in itself, lead to a more inclusive climate for children with Down’s syndrome.
Where a parent believes the practice or procedure of their child’s
school is discriminatory, it is generally best, in the first instance,
to work with those responsible and give them an opportunity to make changes.
Where this does not prove possible, the DSA hopes to be able to provide
advice and support to parents in conjunction with the Independent panel
for Special
Education Advice (IPSEA). Cases concerned with practice and
procedure in schools will be heard by the renamed Special Education Needs
and Disability Discrimination in Schools Tribunal (SENDIST). The DSA already
provides advice and, on
occasions, representation at Tribunal and will extend this to disability
discrimination cases.
Discrimination in colleges and admission and exclusion cases follow different procedures. For these cases we are likely to offer initial advice only and advise you where to go for further help.
Remember
The law only applies to discrimination occurring after September
1st 2002.
The law provides a strict definition of disability. (Most children
or young people with Down’s syndrome will be disabled within
this definition.)
Not every discriminatory act will be unlawful. The law only considers
treating a disabled person less favourably on account of their disability
to be unlawful when it is without justification.
If you consider your child has been discriminated against in school or college because of their disability and would like advice, please contact Sally Capper at National Office. If you write or use e-mail (scapper@downs-syndrome.org.uk) please leave a daytime telephone number
Sally Capper Education Advocacy Worker
You can contact Sally for legal advice on any aspect of education
relating to a child with Down’s syndrome. She is available to take phone
calls on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm (Tel:
020 8682 4001)
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE AND TOY LIBRARY
The PSS Family Resource Centre offers help and support to families
who have a child/children with extra needs.
Some of the facilities on offer include:
Two Pre-School sessions are held every week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10 o’clock and 12 o’clock.
There is a Toy Lending Service for all the children in the family.
A siblings group for children aged 8 and over.
A parent support group.
If you would like more information about the Family Resource Centre
and Toy Library please contact:
Linda Hogan
PSS Family Resource Centre and
Toy Library
Orthes Street
Liverpool L3 5XF
or telephone her on:
0151 709 5946
(Orthes Street is off Great Orford Street which in turn is off Mount Pleasant. It is behind what was the Irish Centre. The Resource Centre is attached to St Nicholas’s RC Primary School.)
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
We are always on the lookout for articles to include in our newsletter and would welcome more contributions from members. If you feel you have something to say which would be of interest or help to other families, we would love to hear from you.
You can contact the Newsletter Editor at the branch postal or e-mail addresses which may be found above. If you have a photograph to go with anything you write, so much the better.