Promoting Disability Equality in Merthyr Tydfil Under the Disability Equality Duty, disability is defined as: ‘A person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'. The aims of Merthyr Tydfil’s Equality Schemes are to facilitate the removal of barriers for disabled people. This includes all people who may not automatically define themselves as disabled but who never the less face discrimination their everyday life because of their impairment. Every public body/organisation in the country has a duty to produce a Disability Equality Scheme. Copies of the Merthyr Schemes can be viewed using the links here. Each scheme will explain in detail how they will endeavour to ensure that all disabled people have equality of opportunity and equality of outcome within and from their services. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council consulted extensively with disabled people in the development of its Disability Equality Scheme. The biggest issues facing the disabled population of Merthyr Tydfil were clearly identified as follows: Transport Access – Health and consumer premises Attitude Respite Care (for children who have a learning Disability). Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is working towards addressing these issues within their services and areas of responsibility. Prevalence of Disability in Merthyr Tydfil In August 2006, 7,050 people in Merthyr Tydfil were claiming Disability Living Allowance, [12.7% of the population] compared to a Wales average of 7.69%. Housing The housing division have adapted 167 properties throughout the Borough since 2002 to make them more accessible. Adaptation works vary from level access showers, ramps; stairlifts to conversions of rooms, for example store room to shower room. There are also 45 Accessible houses (bungalows) as part of the Council’s stock. The Council also works in partnership with the local housing association to improve the provision of accessible housing in Merthyr Tydfil. Concessionary Fares Initiative Thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The AMVYCP launched The Concessionary Fares Initiative in November 2006. The Initiative has over 200 members and is growing rapidly. The service provides a free door to door service for people with disabilities living in the Merthyr Tydfil Borough to access various local services such as medical and dental appointments, shopping, social events etc. The Initiative operates with one full time driver and several volunteers who have put in a great deal of time and effort.
Promoting Disability Equality in Merthyr Tydfil
Under the Disability Equality Duty, disability is defined as:
‘A person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'.
The aims of Merthyr Tydfil’s Equality Schemes are to facilitate the removal of barriers for disabled people. This includes all people who may not automatically define themselves as disabled but who never the less face discrimination their everyday life because of their impairment.
Every public body/organisation in the country has a duty to produce a Disability Equality Scheme. Copies of the Merthyr Schemes can be viewed using the links here. Each scheme will explain in detail how they will endeavour to ensure that all disabled people have equality of opportunity and equality of outcome within and from their services.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council consulted extensively with disabled people in the development of its Disability Equality Scheme. The biggest issues facing the disabled population of Merthyr Tydfil were clearly identified as follows:
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is working towards addressing these issues within their services and areas of responsibility.
Prevalence of Disability in Merthyr Tydfil
In August 2006, 7,050 people in Merthyr Tydfil were claiming Disability Living Allowance, [12.7% of the population] compared to a Wales average of 7.69%.
Housing
The housing division have adapted 167 properties throughout the Borough since 2002 to make them more accessible. Adaptation works vary from level access showers, ramps; stairlifts to conversions of rooms, for example store room to shower room.
There are also 45 Accessible houses (bungalows) as part of the Council’s stock. The Council also works in partnership with the local housing association to improve the provision of accessible housing in Merthyr Tydfil.
Concessionary Fares Initiative Thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The AMVYCP launched The Concessionary Fares Initiative in November 2006. The Initiative has over 200 members and is growing rapidly. The service provides a free door to door service for people with disabilities living in the Merthyr Tydfil Borough to access various local services such as medical and dental appointments, shopping, social events etc. The Initiative operates with one full time driver and several volunteers who have put in a great deal of time and effort.
Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board
Cwm Taf NHS Trust
MTCBC Disability Services
Disability Wales
Data Unit Wales
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