We would like to say a special thank you to Driving Centre Manager David Wooder’s wonderful wife Hayley. Hayley has raised £34.84 for HAD using easy fundraising, more than half of the £62.39 that has been raised using the site in the last 6 months.

Easy Fundraising works in a similar way to many other loyalty shopping sites, but instead of earning points when you shop, you raise a donation for your chosen cause instead. You can shop with over 2,000 well known stores, including Amazon, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S, Argos and ebay, and each will donate up to 15% of what you spend!

Most of the popular retailers will donate between 2 and 5%, which may not seem a lot, but over time and with enough supporters, it really makes a difference to us.

The service doesn’t cost you, or us, a single penny, and signing up to support HAD only takes a minute. Simply visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/hadnet and click “sign me up”. You’ll also have the option to download a handy toolbar that informs you if a website you visit supports easy fundraising.

Neil Paul, Marketing Executive at HAD and easyfundraising user says “it’s such a brilliant service that has real potential to raise much needed funds for us. With more and more of us shopping online to save time and money, easyfundraising does exactly what it says on the tin. Once you’re signed up, it only takes one click on the easyfundraising toolbar each time you shop to claim your donation for us”.

“We have hundreds of supporters at HAD, and fundraising has always played an important role, ensuring we raise enough money to continue to provide our services to older and disabled people. With the removal of our government funding, we’ve really got our work cut out, but we are doing everything we can. Easy fundraising makes to possible for you to show us your support without spending an extra penny, which is great!”

With more fundraisers like Hayley supporting us, there is no doubt that we’ll be about for many years to come.

Disabilinet is a unique community which delivers a new way to share and directly engage with people living with, or affected by disability by posting blogs, pictures, videos, events, groups and so much more. Why use more mainstream sites when you can instantly communicate with friends safely who truly understand your interests? Developed to also launch the charitable Disabilinet Foundation, join this vibrant community today and begin making a real difference to the world of disability.

www.disabilinet.com – just the beginning

It’s that time of year again. Shoppers have turned feral, the roads are chaos, and even if you do make it to the high street, you’ll never find a parking space.

I have the solution! Stay at home and do it all online from the comfort of your own bed, whilst helping a great cause like HAD.

There's this great website www.easyfundraising.org.uk which everyone needs to be aware of. We all shop online, whether it be amazon, eBay, Play.com, ASDA, Tesco, or even travel agents like Thomas Cook. Easy Fundraising works like your Nectar card or Clubcard, but instead of points, you actually earn money for your chosen charity! 

 What's more, it doesn't cost you a penny! Whoever you shop with through www.easyfundraising.org.uk will donate up to 15% of your total spend to your supported charity. Plus, with gift aid, HMRC will increase your donation by 25%, so be sure to tick the box that says gift aid if you choose to sign up.

Remember, none of this costs you a single penny. Supporting Hertfordshire Action on Disability would be great, and really make a difference to us, but we understand that there may be another charity close to your heart. Whoever you choose, you will be helping tremendously to make a difference, without even realising. 

If you would like to support HAD, simply follow this link http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/hadnet and click ‘Sign me up’. It will take you where you need to go to start supporting us:

Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Neil Paul

Hertfordshire Action on Disability

Whilst we would like to think that negativity and stereotype towards disabled people has been somewhat stamped out by the summers’ games, it sadly remains an everyday occurrence.

Despite this, disability hate crime remains vastly under-reported - some figures suggest as much as 99% of crimes are not flagged by victims. This may be down to a number of reasons, including the fear of consequences, not fully understanding the definition of a hate crime, and the lack of knowledge as to how to report a hate crime.

By definition, a Disability hate crime is:

“Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability.”

This would include anyone who is targeted as a result of their physical disability, sensory impairment, learning disability or mental health.

Many people with disabilities are under the misconception that negativity and hostility towards them is to be expected, and often ignore it. This couldn't be further from the truth. Whilst offences such as verbal abuse and hostility may seem minor and insignificant, they are crimes none the less, and they can lead to much more serious incidents.

  With the new ‘True Vision’ website, www.report-it.org.uk, reporting a hate crime is easier than ever. Here you can report an incident as a victim, or on behalf of a victim, even anonymously if you prefer. A simple form allows you to record all of the necessary details and send it to hate crime officers at the relevant Police force.

Reporting them when they happen may prevent these incidents happening to someone else. You will also help the Police understand the extent of hate crime in your local area, so they can better respond to it with the necessary resources.

Together, we can make a difference to the lives of disabled people, and bring offenders to justice. From here on, if you witness what you perceive to be a disability hate crime… www.report-it.org.uk

We are now half way through our fantastic summer of sport, and just two weeks away from the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Did you know that amongst the red, white and blue glad stars taking part, there are some local athletes? If not, let us at Hertfordshire Action on Disability introduce you.

Georgina Bullen, from Royston, is part of the Team GB Goalball squad, and a former gold medalist at the 2009 European Championships in Munich, Germany. At just 18 years old, self proclaimed 'indie girl' Georgina is the youngest member of the GB Goalball squad. But don't let her age fool you, with three boisterous brothers, she's made of tuff stuff! Speaking about what goalball has taught her, Georgina says that if you don't hurt the day after training, you are not training hard enough!

Joining Georgina from Hertfordshire is Paul Browne of Hertford, representing Team GB in the Archery category. At 51 years old, Paul is an experienced bowman, with gold and silver medals at the 2010 Para-Archery Championships in Vichy, France, amongst his many achievements. Paul describes himself as determined, humorous and committed, and if he did not choose to pursue a career in archery, he would have been a pilot!

All of us at Hertfordshire Action on Disability wish both of you, and indeed all of Team GB, the very best of luck!

To find out more about our Team GB Paralypians, visit http://www.paralympics.org.uk/gb/athletes. To find out how Hertfordshire Action on Disability can help you get about during the games, visit us on http://www.hadnet.org.uk/services/transport/24hour-accessible.aspx or contact our Accessible Transport team on 01707 375159.

Best Wishes,

Neil Paul

With the stunning opening ceremony and 37 medals already swinging proudly from the necks of our Team GB Olympians, London 2012 has certainly lived up to the hype and anticipation generated since we were announced as the host nation way back in 2005. Yes, it really was that long ago! Here at Hertfordshire Action on Disability we can scarcely believe how time has flown either. 

Whilst tickets for the remaining Olympic Games events are few and far apart, the second wave of tickets for the equally exhilarating Paralympic Games has just been released. Kicking off on the 29th August through to the 9th September, the Paralympics are a fantastic opportunity to experience the Olympic atmosphere, whilst showing your support to the wealth of home grown talent who are taking part.

LOCOG, the organisers behind the games, have promised this to be "the most accessible games ever". The Olympic park, along with other host venues, and all major rail, bus and river transport links are fully equipped to cater for the needs of less mobile commuters. To discover more on accessible public transport, and even tailor your journey to your individual accessibility requirements, take a look here. Alternatively, contact Hertfordshire Action on Disability's transport service on 01707 375159, and we will be happy to provide transport for you!

If the hustle and bustle of the Olympic park does not appeal to you, why not experience the atmosphere from afar. There are some fantastic attractions and events around the city throughout August and into September. Below is a hoto I took of the 'Olympic Ring Spectacular' at the magnificent St Pancreas International Station. There are plenty more of these too, decorating some of the Capital's most famous landmarks. For a full list of where to find them, along with other events taking place during the 'games, why not visit this link London 2012 - What's On.

Don't forget, if there is anything that you need to make your journey more comfortable, or if we can provide transport to take you to the games, other events, or just day to day journeys, contact our Transport Team. Our six strong fleet of wheelchair friendly, accessible vehicles are fully kitted out with all the latest safety equipment for your comfort and peace of mind. What's more, the service is available 24hrs a day!

What better excuse do you need to get out and about during our "summer like no other"! 

Best wishes,

Neil Paul

And in these difficult economic times it is an important way for the 

organisation to communicate with existing and potential customers and 

supporters.

Just like any business partnership it needs to grow and evolve. When 

we have something to say we like to alert the media and when they want 

our view on a particular issue they will often ask us to comment. It's a two-way thing.

So when local radio station JACK fm called me recently to do an 

interview I was happy to oblige.

I had to comment on a survey which suggested that many families with 

disabled children were struggling to survive financially, even before 

the full impact of planned benefit cuts was felt. Some families were 

even going without food and heating.

I said that the Counting the Costs 2012 survey was commendable but 

perhaps a similar survey should be made that covers the cumulative 

impact of cuts in benefit, social services and specialist employment agencies.

There are precious few jobs for disabled people at the moment and 

advice and information lines are being cut. The message from the 

government is basically ‘don't get old and don't get sick', in other 

words the same old Tory mantra.

I also remarked that HAD, despite being hit by total local government 

funding cuts, is determined to carry on helping disabled people, young 

and old. Indeed we have launched a benefits advice service and our 

information and advice line is well-established and highly thought of.

And our OTs are carrying out more and more assessments, both at 

private and care homes, giving advice on the best and most suitable 

mobility products available as well as safety issues.

The survey, carried out by Contact a Family, also touched on the 

stigma associated with claiming benefits for disabled children. HAD is 

experienced in this field - our partnership with Hertfordshire 

Police's Disability Hate Crime initiative was launched almost two 

years ago. It offers victims the opportunity to come and talk to us in 

confidence at our Woodside Centre HQ instead of directly to the police.

At the top of this piece I mentioned the importance of the local media.

Unfortunately the national press and in particular certain tabloids, 

adopt an unnecessarily negative approach to many disability issues. 

The term ‘benefit scroungers' is often used despite the fact that only 

about 1 per cent cheat the system.

It's also a shame that topics like the so-called pasty tax take centre 

stage when meatier issues such as disability rights rarely get a mention.

The time might be right for a change. I hope so.

PAUL BISHOP

HAD PR ADVISOR

The Local Government Association recently warned that rising adult care costs leave councils facing £16.5bn black hole! This is based on government estimates that Whitehall funding for councils will fall from 2015-20. That's another 6 years of cuts and on top of the cuts we have already had! The voluntary sector press is full of stories of voluntary organisations going to the wall because local authorities have already had to make massive cuts and it was always the voluntary sector which picked up the pieces when local services could not cope. This financial year the number of visitors in HAD's equipment centre was 9,500 double that of last year. Clearly if local authorities do not have funding and other voluntary organisations are closing the need for HAD will continue to grow and we will need to provide even more services!

If we can help you please contact us

If you can help us please contact us

01707324581 

The Department for Work and Pensions has just sent an e-mail to its staff to be careful when telling customers that they have lost their Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in case the customer commits suicide. This seems to miss the essence of the problem, it is probably not how the news is delivered but the fact that disabled people hear that they have lost a source of income on which they have relied for years that makes them feel like committing suicide. 

Add to that the fact that the social care budget has been reduced by £2billion, service provision from councils is being reduced drastically and funding cuts to the voluntary sector are now clearly beginning to bite and the net result is what a recent report from Oxfam calls 'A Perfect Storm' pouring down on UK's most vulnerable.

More and more people are expected to pay for their own care and equipment with less and less support in terms of advice or finance. The Insolvency Service recently reported that it had closed 78 rogue firms selling equipment to older and disabled people. These firms had scammed £28million from nearly 2000 victims.

HAD can provide support and information for older and disabled people on many of the above issues including benefit advice and appeals and impartial advice on buying equipment from our occupational therapists and trusted assessors.

Please contact us if you think we can help.