Pet owners, particularly those with mental health problems have been prosecuted. The effect of a trial and media coverage can be harrowing.

The Crown Prosecution Service tends not to prosecute disabled people using a code of practice that states that “Crown prosecutors must balance the desirability of diverting a defendant who is suffering from significant mental or physical ill health with the need to safeguard the general public”

The Policy Officer from MIND has said that it is worrying that a high number of people with mental health problems appear to be being prosecuted by the RSPCA.
A pet owner who is also a Mental Health Nurse who has experienced mental distress has said, “ I am saddened that the RSPCA cannot accept that pets can play an important role in keeping people with depression well, it sounds extreme to prosecute people with depression” He added that animals must be protected from neglect but that prosecution is not the answer.

An RSPCA spokesperson has said that the charity did not target disabled people for prosecution but admitted that it did not keep statistics on how many defendants had impairments.

For disabled people, one of the biggest changes is the proposal to abolish incapacity benefit (by 2013). Instead, for those people who are limited in their ability to work by physical impairments or conditions, there will be an 'employment support allowance'.

Part of the government's plans are to ensure people who receive incapacity benefit will undergo medical tests to see what work they can do. However, disabled people "with the greatest needs" will not be expected to find work. Neither will full-time carers.

The plans include possibly making people who receive benefits 'sign on' each day and attend compulsory courses if they are out of work.

The green paper also looks to voluntary and private sector organisations to play a bigger role in delivering services which support people to find employment.

A summary document of the government's plans is here: Summary (pdf file). More information is available from the Department for Work and Pensions: No one written off. 

The Independent Visitors Scheme has been working with volunteers to support disabled people to get involved in activities within their local communities such as college courses, social groups, or voluntary/paid work. Through becoming involved with such activities many disabled people, whatever their impairment have grown in confidence and made new friends. One client who, was socially isolated, had no confidence, with the support of a volunteer gradually his confidence returned. Over a 2 year period with the volunteers support he accessed adult education, training courses, voluntary work which has led on to paid work. The client is now much happier and confident in all areas of his life.

At IVS we’re very proud of our excellent volunteer retention rate, and greatly appreciate all the time and skills our trained volunteers give to the scheme. We would not be able to operate the scheme without our team of dedicated and committed volunteers and it is thanks to them that we have been able to support so many disabled people across the county.

Are you friendly and a good listener? Are you interested in meeting people? Are you honest and reliable? If you have between 4-8 hours a month to spare and would like to find out more about The Independent Visitors Scheme or our two day initial training course for new volunteers taking place on the 18^th & 23^rd September here in Chelmsford, please contact:

Angie Joy on 01245 392310 or email ajoy@ecdp.co.uk or Gail Lyndoe on 01268 569140 glyndoe@ecdp.co.uk

All travel expenses paid and lunch is provided on the training course.

Copyright BBC / Love Productions / Christopher Simms

Until recently 23 year old Kelly was working as a credit controller and living in Enfield. Following her success on the show, she has gone on to be photographed for Marie Claire Magazine by the infamous Rankin, and Take 2 Model Management has agreed to represent her.

The series proved controversial; raising questions such as 'should girls with hidden impairments be involved in the competition?' and 'is the fashion industry ready to include disabled people in magazines and on the catwalk?'

For an exclusive interview with Kelly, see the Autumn issue of ECDP’s quarterly newsletter EFFECT.

As an area representative, you will voice the views and concerns of disabled people in your local community and work with us to make changes that improve everyday lives.

ECDP will provide fantastic developmental opportunities through training and peer support, and the chance to develop knowledge in key areas such as housing, transport and employment.

Volunteers must be disabled people, who can give up to an average of eight hours a month to the role, expenses paid.

However, there is a new EU regulation which came into force on 26^th July this year, stating that all European airports must offer assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility. This European Community measure represents a significant social advance for disabled people and for this reason all the necessary financial, material and human resources have been put into place to make it possible for airports to render a quality service guaranteeing that all people can enjoy air transport anywhere in Europe, regardless of their disability.

Carol Slade, ECDP Executive Assistant

To help inform the bulletin, and make sure it reflects life 'on the ground', they are asking disabled people with experience of social care services to take part in a survey.

If you have some experiences or thoughts that could be useful, then please do complete the survey. More information, and a chance to complete the survey, are available on the CSCI website here: CSCI disability equality survey.

The new user-friendly code offers practical advice to micro-employers to help them draw up effective training plans for personal assistants, guidance on how to put the plan into action and how to monitor the progress of personal assistants as they work towards qualifications.

The booklet can be downloaded from the Skills for Care website here: Skills for Care training booklet.

If you would like to know what training ECDP provides for personal assistants, please see the relevant section of our website: Employer training from ECDP, which also has details on how to contact us about the training.