Correction to Wolverhampton Homes article

In the newsletter last time, Megan J wrote that “Wolverhampton Homes has made the decision to make you pay for unused bedrooms in your property, from April 2013”. This decision was made by the government it has nothing to do with Wolverhampton Homes, but will affect tenants of all social housing schemes.
We apologise for this error.

Cassandra's Review of the Year

A number of news stories and sound bites about disabled people have caught my interest this year – taken together they point to the ways in which disabled people are being hurt by this Government, while the very rich are being helped.
Cameron started his Prime Ministership by stating “We are all in this together”
But the more financially vulnerable in society – poor people and disabled people on benefits – seem to be much harder hit by the Government policies

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My defaults around town

The problems I have come across since I have been using a wheelchair are the public transport and the drop curbs just outside town and around town. The bus drivers sometimes don’t pull close to the curbs and they want put the ramp down for me to get onto the buses.
The drivers sometimes pull off before I am in the disabled spot where the wheelchairs are meant to go so I roll down the ale and hurt my arms on the metal poles. When I go out know sometimes I will not use the buses I will phone for a taxi and go to town.

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The Right to be offensive?

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Christmas Humour

Ho ~ Ho  ~ Ho ~ Ho ~ Ho ~ Ho ~

Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside the bed to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.  "I pray for a new bicycle, I pray for a new Nintendo, I Pray for a new DVD player". His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said,  "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Grandma is!"

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Disability in the House

What have our representatives in the Houses of Parliament been saying or writing about with regard to disabled people recently?

Speeches on HIV, benefits, parking and work.

George Osbourne (Treasurer, Conservative) in the budget, said “We will also uprate with prices the disability elements of tax credits, and increase the child element of the child tax credit by £135 in line with inflation too. But we will not uprate the other elements of the working tax credit this coming year;”

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The Equality Act

The Equality Act and Disabled People

Do you know what your rights are under the Equality act?
Test your knowledge with these 3 questions (answers on page 8)
If you want to know more, why not come to one of our free workshops on Disabled People and the Equality Act in January – contact the office to book a place.

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Narish Patel

It is with much sadness that we tell you of the unexpected death of one of our first members - Narish Patel.
Narish has been part of One Voice for many years, and has been a service user, a volunteer and a member of management group at different times.

People may remember him most because he always had something to say about the buses and how they could be more accessible.
At the office we will remember him most for his quiet humour, his loud shirts, and his willingness to lend a hand – many times I have called him up for help with the newsletter, or asked him to help us prepare a room for the AGM – and he always turned up when we needed him, ready with a smile.
We have included a picture of Narish at the One Voice carnival – because its how we remember him - as someone who liked to join in and be counted.

Sudoku

Send your solution to the office by 16th January with your name and address for a chance to win a cd