Latest news with #DisabilityResourceCentre
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Disabled people fear being "pushed out" of support service amidst £1,000 bills
People attending the Disability Resource Centre have just been told how much they will pay each week as part of a means-tested review People who face £1,000 in backdated fees for the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) say they are being 'pushed out the back door' amidst plans to close it. Vulnerable people who attend day services within the Paisley centre are being charged up to £90 per week to attend between fees and transport costs. Members – who have just been told how much they will pay each week as part of a means-tested review – say Renfrewshire Council has backdated the fees to April, resulting in bills in excess of £1,000. The fees have been issued weeks after Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership announced it wants to close the Love Street facility as part of plans to plug a £19 million budget black hole. The proposals form part of a redesign of adult services which, if approved, would see three central hubs created across the local authority area for people with learning and physical disabilities – meaning three current outlets will close. Theresa Jensen, who is the vice chair of the DRC service users committee and secretary of the Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum, said she believed the fees were another means of reducing demand for services. She told the Paisley Daily Express: 'They are implementing these charges at a time when they are trying to shut us down. It feels like they just want rid of us. 'There are people from the centre who are not sleeping, they are not eating, another has taken to his bed. They have been so worried about the closure and now it is these backdated fees. Some people are afraid to come in now because of the charges. 'They have been trying to push us out the front door and now they are pushing us out the back door.' Renfrewshire councillors approved proposals to introduce fees for a number of social care services for adults at a meeting in February. They agreed that anyone with an income in excess of £156 per week would be required to pay a contribution towards non-residential supports, specifically day centres. This was to be between £11.40 and a maximum of £70.50 per week based on a person's ability to pay. For the vast majority of people who attend the centre, the contribution would come from their the Scottish Disability Payment and benefits. The local authority vowed to ensure those who had an income of less than £156 a week would still be able to attend for free. However, Theresa, from Erskine, says members of the DRC were not notified of any fees or what they would be required to pay for until many months later. Explaining they vary widely, she said she would like to see the process for determining individual fees reviewed. 'The council say we were notified of the charges but if there was no notification, we didn't get it,' she said. 'We were asked as part of a feedback form if we would be happy to make a contribution to the centre but that was it; there was no mention if that was £5 a week or £90. We just didn't know, so to issue those fees to disabled people like that is, I believe, below the belt. 'I think the backdated fees should be dropped, no one signed anything, no one told us what the fees would be so why should we now be asked to pay £1,000 for something we didn't agree to?' Renfrewshire Counci l has, however, insisted it wrote to service users of the Disability Resource Centre and the other day care users notifying them of the introduction of fees in March. The local authority said it then conducted a financial assessment on each individual before determining the amount they should pay each week. That figure was based on what the Department of Work and Pensions believes a person can live on, plus an additional 25 per cent on the basis that disabled people pay more in day-to-day living costs. It also invited people to outline their additional "disability expenditure" in order to ensure it was factored into the financial assessment. A spokesperson said: "The charging letters issued following the financial assessment explain that payment plans are an option [to pay the back-dated fees] and provides contact details for the team to assist with this process." The council also advised that anyone in financial difficulty can contact its Advice Works department for support and further that fees can be amended should people outline additional "disability expenditure". People should call 0300 300 0211 for support.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Carers vow to fight service cuts with "everything they have" after protest in Paisley
Campaigners gathered on Friday as uncertainty surrounds the future of services relied upon by their loved ones. Carers have vowed to fight cost-cutting proposals with everything they have after picking up their placards and descending on Renfrewshire House. Dozens of campaigners gathered in protest on Friday as uncertainty surrounds the future of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) services relied upon by their loved ones. Demonstrators rallied and held their signs aloft in Paisley's Cotton Street – weeks after stark detail was published on measures which have been suggested to help close a multi-million-pound budget gap. Having already spoken of their exhaustion, they declared they will press on until a final decision is made at the integration joint board, which oversees the HSCP, in September. Linda Murray, a representative of the Renfrewshire Learning Disability Carers Group, said: "It's a case of making them aware that we're not going to lie down to it. We will fight with everything we have. "We know there needs to be cuts. We're all in the same boat ourselves, we're having to cut the cloth to suit today's climate, so we totally get that but there's still a feeling of it seems to be very disabled-heavy with the cuts. "Ten per cent to another service might be nothing but ten per cent to our guys is the world basically." Linda, whose daughter Gillian attends Milldale day service, continued: "We have to keep going. That's all we can do." If approved at the IJB, day services for people with learning and physical disabilities would operate across three hubs – Milldale in Linwood and the Anchor Centre and Spinners Gate in Paisley. Services would no longer use Paton's Resource Centre in Johnstone or the Mirin at Lagoon Leisure Centre and the Disability Resource Centre in Paisley. There could also be changes to respite provision at Weavers Linn, with people deemed in 'critical need' receiving up to 28 nights per year and in 'substantial need' receiving up to 21 nights. In older adult day services, the closure of Ralston Day Centre has been proposed and people would instead be offered a place at facilities in Johnstone and Renfrew. Autism Connections and Flexicare, which support people with autism and learning disabilities, could be shut down while the HSCP could make a saving by ending the assertive outreach model, which helps people with learning disabilities with high care needs. Other ideas include removing three staff posts from the health visiting team through retirement or not filling vacancies and the scaling back of the Childsmile programme. Jennifer Lindsay, who has family members who attend the Disability Resource Centre and Milldale, said it felt like "everyone was coming together" at the protest. She added: "I have two autistic sons so not only am I fighting for the family members I have just now in these centres, I'm fighting for the future of both my kids because if these proposals happen, dare I say it, is there going to be anything for kids in the future? "If these centres go from six to three just now, by the time my kids leave school and reach adult services, there could be next to nothing. "When something else could be closing or there's disappointing news from another avenue that's going to affect vulnerable kids, adults, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, it can feel as if it's across the board. "If there's a time when it feels like, what is the point in this because they're just going to keep coming back for something else, you have to dig deep and keep going and that's exactly what we've all had to do. "We've had to rally round and say, we're not fighting for one centre any more, we're fighting for everything." A budget gap of £18.5 million was recently predicted for the HSCP for 2026/27 – a figure that could increase further in the years to follow. An HSCP spokesperson said: "IJBs across Scotland are currently facing significant financial challenges. Renfrewshire IJB considered around £19m of possible savings options across HSCP service areas last December. "This reflected the IJB's decision that savings of 10 per cent across all influenceable service budgets should be identified, wherever possible. "Several proposals were approved at the time which will be delivered through internal redesign and will deliver savings and protect frontline services where possible. This included proposals for how we deliver care at home, community nursing, primary care support and community mental health. "We are engaging with our staff around these proposals and the revised models for these areas are in development. Responsibility for implementation and monitoring of these proposals has been delegated to the HSCP's sustainable futures programme board. "Further proposals were to be developed with feedback gathered through public engagement. These were developed through discussion with service users, carers, impacted staff and partners. As part of our engagement approach, we offered people a variety of ways to share their views on the proposals. "The feedback gathered will be used to help IJB voting members understand the impact each proposal would have when they meet to review the updated proposals at their meeting in September. No decisions will be made on any of these proposals until then."
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Renfrewshire provost opens up on late mum's brave MND battle
Councillor Lorraine Cameron explained how her mother Eileen Connell bravely battled the disease. Her mum moved in with her a month after the diagnosis as it became clear she was struggling to cope and Lorraine detailed the process. She said: "My beautiful mum, Eileen, was diagnosed in 2009 with MND. It took a long time for her to be diagnosed. "Looking back, I reckon she had it for at least a couple of years before diagnosis. "About four weeks after her diagnosis, I realised she was not coping. "I asked her if she wanted to come and live with me – outlining that she would be with me to the end. "She didn't need to be asked twice, and our relationship made it a very easy move. "She also got on extremely well with my husband, who honed his cooking skills by creating special dishes for her that she could eat easily as her MND progressed, and before she had to have a feeding tube fitted. "She was a great mum – very liberal for her generation and wildly funny. "She was young-minded, fashionable, beautiful and very well-liked. "I know most people say nice things about folk when they are no longer here, but she really was popular and kind and people in our community felt her death deeply." READ MORE: Petition launched to save Disability Resource Centre in Paisley Lorraine also reflected on impact her mum had on the community. She continued: "Her funeral mass was in St Peter's Church in Glenburn, and it was standing room only in that big chapel. "That told us that we had probably underestimated her impact on the world. "We knew she affected people's lives with her big heart, compassionate personality and empathy for those who needed help, but we just weren't prepared for the outpouring of love for her. "My mum and I were so close. There was barely a day that went by without us speaking. "She was always a friend of my friends, came on nights out with us and even spent a few holidays with 'the girls'. "Her age was never an issue. My friends took to her like she was one of them and she joined in the fun – being able to adapt and act like she was 20 years younger. "I sometimes envied her staying power. "However, she could switch to 'mum' mode whenever needed, and without hesitation." Lorraine also revealed how the two became even closer after she moved in. She said: "I got to spend her final two years with her, chatting into the small hours, taking advantage of the times she was in a 'good' place, and just loving her and trying to take her fear away by occupying her mind with other things. "She loved us dearly, and we loved her more. She also had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and had more than enough love and fun for all of them. In honour of her mum, Lorraine organised a 'Hoedown' themed fundraiser in support of the charity after being inspired during a visit to a local farm shop in a place called Barnhill Farm. It raised £34,000 for MND Scotland and the politician explained why she picked the charity. She added: "When my mum was being cared for during her illness, I realised it took a huge team to give her the attention she needed. "She often worried about any of her children getting MND and wanted us to do what we could to raise money, and awareness, for the condition. "My mum took part in several fundraising events before she passed, and also, made a video for MND Scotland to be shown at the 2010 Cornflower Ball. "She had incredible courage – but did it all in the hope that it would help someone else."
ABC News
31-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Victorian train network failing to meet national accessibility standards
Accessing Melbourne's train network is a challenge for Andrew Bretherton. The 38-year-old was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome about 10 years ago, and relies on a wheelchair to get around. But using his closest train station — Windsor in Melbourne's inner-south-east — has become an inconvenience because of the steep ramps and limited accessibility features. The station also has no lifts, independent boarding or accessible pick up and drop off points. 'I've missed out on an event with friends because I couldn't get there," Mr Bretherton said. Even with the power settings on his wheelchair, designed to help with mobility, he pushes his weight forward to travel up the ramp from the underground platforms to the busy Chapel Street thoroughfare above. Mr Bretherton, who is an advocate with the Disability Resource Centre, believes it would be nearly impossible to exit the station manually without this setting. Windsor is on the Sandringham line, which sprawls across Melbourne's bayside suburbs and has no stations with lifts or elevators. The ABC collected accessibility data from the Metro Trains website, and found across the network of 220 stations, one in three did not meet Australian standards that for every 14 metres, the slope of a ramp should increase by one metre. Metro Trains suggests assistance may be required at some stations like Richmond and South Yarra, which connect several train lines, because of the inadequate station access. Two-thirds of stations are without lifts, and more than half do not have accessible toilets. 'This is a basic necessity but it doesn't surprise me because so little thought is given to our community,' Mr Bretherton said. He said subsequent state governments had failed to make accessibility improvements to the network, despite funding other transport infrastructure. 'They're putting a dollar value on our lives and what they're saying is our lives aren't worthy enough for that dollar value,' he said. Lilly Cascun walks an additional half an hour each way to Darebin train station, because her closest at Ivanhoe in Melbourne's east is not accessible for her needs. The 18-year-old was born totally blind and said the extended journey had become a burden. 'It means I'm getting home pretty late at night sometimes. Mum and dad don't like the idea of walking home in the dark,' she said. Ms Cascun relies on the little dots and bars raised above the edge of train platforms – tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) – to help guide her and move with ease. 'I find it really sad that there are so many stations that I can't feel safe at,' Ms Cascun said. Ivanhoe is among 36 stations across the network without TGSIs lining the edges of platforms in full or in part. After writing to Victorian MPs and refused funding, Ms Cascun started an online petition, which received thousands of signatures. Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the government had listened to the community's concerns. 'We'll deliver tactiles at Ivanhoe station, providing a safer and more accessible station for locals like Lilly,' Ms Williams said. Ms Cascun said she was grateful for the support but called on the government to speed up its commitment to meeting nationally-legislated accessibility targets. 'I must say it's taken quite a few months of fighting for it.' 'I think it's something that needs to be fixed not just here at Ivanhoe but all of those other stations. I'm hoping this is a shift that will help to work on that,' she said. Liberal MP Nick McGowan has met with Ms Cascun and also written to his parliamentary colleagues to ask for increased accessibility funding across the network. He welcomed the state government's commitment to fund TGSIs at Ivanhoe but said there is still a long way to go. 'Lilly's an inspiration but it shouldn't take a campaign from an 18-year-old for the government to realise that we actually should have facilities for everyone of low or no vision on our public transport system,' he said. In 2002, the federal government passed laws to ensure public transport operators and providers make their services accessible and remove discrimination against people with disabilities. A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport said trains were required to be 100 per cent compliant by the end of 2032. "While progress has been made across Australia, public transport operators and providers still haven't met their obligation to meet the requirements of the Transport Standards," the spokesperson said. In Melbourne, nearly half of stations do not have paths greater than 1.2 metres wide to accommodate wheelchair users. Ms Williams said the state government was making ground but conceded there was still more to do. "These are challenging requirements to meet but they are important standards. "We're all dealing with very similar challenges in terms of legacy networks that were often built a long time ago, and therefore we need to continually invest to make sure that we're bringing them up to standard," Ms Williams said. However, the opposition said the slow progress had left over one million disabled Victorians behind. 'We want the public to use the transport system, not just the able-bodied public but people with disabilities too,' Mr McGowan said. Metro Trains declined to comment At Ivanhoe train station, Lilly Cascun said the increased accessibility features will help her travel with ease and minimise her travel journey. 'I'm so grateful that our pleas have been heard and I'm really excited that this station's going to become so much more accessible.' 'It's a pretty amazing feeling to know that if you work hard enough you can really create change,' she said. With additional reporting by Madi Chwasta.
