Item 6(i)

NOTES of the MEMBERS' AND OFFICERS' DISABILITY

DISCRIMINATION ACT WORKING GROUP held in the Wellington Room

on Friday 23 April 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: W H Wheeler (Chairman); Mrs P Dickens; Mrs E M F Randall

Also in attendance:

Councillors: Mrs A E Bailey; B D Dash; B T Gurden; R J Kimber; Mrs P G Peskett; R H Price.

Apologies were received from:

Councillors: G W Davies-Dear; Mrs P M Devereux; E Gale; J W Stocks; T K Thornber; Dr J G L Wall; Sir J J Scott and Peter Hull, County Development Officer, Disability Sport, Recreation and Heritage.

Also in attendance:

Ian Lloynes, Co-ordinator and Christine Hunt, Project Manager from Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL)

Jane Goodwin, Equality and Diversity Adviser - Personnel and Training Department.

Marcos Frangos, Access Manager - Property, Business and Regulatory Services.

Ruth Dixon, County Manager Mental Health (Operational), Social Services.

Brian Morgan and Rolli Rowlands from Hampshire Unison.

1. NOTES

The notes of the meeting held on 23 October 2003 were confirmed as a correct record.

2. BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR DIASBLED PEOPLE

(a) Statistics - National and Local

The Equality and Diversity Officer presented the statistics that were included in a report which informed Members of the Group of the key issues regarding employment opportunities for disabled people and the current staff within the Hampshire Council. Further work was necessary corporately to take positive steps for example by introducing a graduate scheme and work experience for disabled people and to raise awareness through training.

The Equality and Diversity Officer advised that nationally there were approximately 8.7m disabled people in the UK and that 7 out of 10 economically active people would become disabled during their working life. Over 75% of disabled people relied on benefits and were 5 times as likely as non disabled people to be out of work. Nationally 50% of disabled people of working age were employed compared to 87% of non disabled people and 11% of people of working age (16-65) in Hampshire were disabled. She also advised that in 2002/03 2.75% of disabled people were employed within the County Council but following a recent workforce audit of 37,000 records this figure had now reduced to 0.65%.

Members noted the interesting statistical information.

(b) Results of Research in Hampshire

Ian Lloynes, Co-ordinator and Christine Hunt, Project Manager

from Southampton Centre for Independent Living attended the

meeting and were introduced to Members.

Ian talked about the work of the Association, the services offered

and the issues surrounding its client group whom were

disadvantaged by the considerable barriers to employment. The

Association was an organisation run and controlled by disabled

people and promoted disability equality across the South. The

aims of the Association were to provide a means by which

disabled people had more control over their own lives, participate

in all spheres of society and effect changes in how they

are viewed and treated. It also provided encouragement,

assistance, advice, support and facilities to those wishing to live

independently and helped to raise the expectations of disabled

people to ensure their voice is heard.

Members heard that the work of the Association was throughout

Hampshire. A Consumer Audit commissioned through Hampshire

Social Services to undertake research for the Welfare to Work

Agenda was carried out throughout the County. Focussed work

was also carried out in Basingstoke. The research included

disabled people in employment, seeking employment or not

actively looking for work and employers. The main findings and

recommendations were attached for information.

The Group agreed that it needed to look more closely at some of

the issues raised particularly in relation to the difficulties faced by

disabled people and also how disability was perceived.

The Access Manager acknowledged the benefit to Members of the

Community and Hampshire County Council of the partnership

with Access Groups for audits.


Ian and Christine were thanked for attending and providing such

helpful advice.

(c) Mental Health and Employment

Ruth Dixon, County Manager Mental Health (Operational) from

Social Services gave a presentation on the Mental Health

Employment Strategy as attached.

She advised that there was a high degree of stigma attached to

disabled people who had mental health conditions and that it was

well known that work was good for mental health by improving

status, reducing stigma, improving relationships and economic

prosperity. Employment was considered to be a major issue for

people with mental health problems who needed to regain their

confidence to work and overcome barriers by medical staff who

assumed that they would never work again.

One of the key actions was the promotion of the Recovery Model

to develop people's hopes and aspirations by promoting

independence to have ambitions and a job retention model was

currently being developed which would be a key element.

Working with partner agencies was also a key issue to enable

people to stay in work and her team was looking at such support.

(d) Discussion of Presentations

The Equality and Diversity Adviser reported that Hampshire

County Council needed to move this issue forward to improve

opportunities for disabled people. Members were concerned about

the figures presented in relation to the number of disabled people

employed. The Chairman advised that he was keen to be able to

report back to the Group on progress and the asked that the Acting

Head of Personnel and Training Services be invited to the next

meeting of the Group on 15 September to outline her

Department's plans for increasing the number of disabled people

on the workforce.

3. UPDATE ON MATRIX ACTIONS


The Access Manager presented an up to date version of the summary of points raised by Members' and Officers' at its meeting on 23 April 2004.

The Access Manager advised that he would report back to the next meeting on the internal loop system in the Chute Room and the total refurbishment of Ashburton Court and the need for loop or sound system.

The Equality and Diversity Adviser reported that the outcome of the departmental learning needs analysis on the equalities training for staff would be presented to the Corporate Management Team in May and Cabinet as soon as possible.

With regard to the font size of committee reports, the Equality and Diversity Adviser confirmed that the standard text size was 12.

The Access Manager displayed a three dimensional colour example of directional signage which would be in place May 2004.

In relation to the key signage in lift cars, the Access Manager advised that a DDA overhaul was due to three lifts in the Castle Complex (Ashburton Court and North lift in Elizabeth II Court) and new buttons, voice enhancers would be installed.

The Equality and Diversity Manager advised that training on disability was available and had been offered to all staff and Members. E learning was also being considered.

The Access Manager reported that he was working with Chief Executive's and Information Technology to overhaul the booking of meeting rooms procedure and looking at the furniture in each room to assist mover ability.

With regard to providing a Notice of What's On at the County Council main doors, Vicky Griffiths from the Corporate Communications Team would be invited to the next meeting to discuss requirements.

The Access Manager advised that together with the Chairman he was looking at access arrangements in seating within the Council Chamber.

With regard to the Access Road shows had now been completed and close links with Access Groups would be continued. Contacts with other Access Groups throughout the County would be maintained.

The Access Manager reported that the old mobile libraries were coming to an end and were due for replacement with 8 new accessible library mobiles.

4. AGREED OUTCOMES FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL AT ITS MEETING ON 25 MAY 2004

It was agreed that the following issues would be referred to the Buildings, Land And Procurement Panel at its meeting on 25 May 2004.

· Disability Equality Training for Staff and Members.


· Adherence to the Two Ticks Scheme.

· Given the current workforce information that Senior Managers use the workforce planning process to improve employment opportunities for disabled people.

· People with mental health problems face the most difficulty in securing and maintaining employment and therefore there is a need to work with partner agencies to enable people to remain in work.

· Support for continued development and training of Access Groups to continue to participate in the partnership for audit.

5. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Working Group would be held on

Wednesday 15 September 2004 at 10am in the Portal Room.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There were no other items of business.

Meeting finished at 1.15pm.

5MN13504