Monday 25th    January     2010         12.30pm cancelled

Monday 22nd February    2010          12.30pm

Monday 22nd March         2010          12.30pm cancelled

January        10th January 2011   12.00pm  at Lifehouse, Brunswick Business park     

    
note ALL meetings will start at 12.00pm, to fit in with the very busy diary that the Lifehouse has

 Monday    February          21/02/11       
  Monday   March               07/03/11
  Monday   April                  18/04/11
  Monday   May                   16/05/11
  Monday  June                   27/06/11
  Monday  July                    11/07/11
  Monday  August              08/08/11
  Monday  September       05/09/11
  Monday October             17/10/11
  Monday November         14/11/11
  Monday December         12/12/11

All  at the lifehouse 12.00 till 2.00pm

Even if you cannot physically make a meeting, please get in contact. We would like to hear your ideas how we can be a stronger voice for wheelchair users across this City.Let us celebrate your achievements, support you in your challenges, enable you to make a difference in your street, your community. lwug@hotmail.co.uk

News

July 2010  Wheelchair Users need to get more involved in what goes on in Liverpool

 Deb Lynch an LWUG Committee member records her recent experiences

Part 1 City Council Select Committee Meeting .

 I and a number of others were invited to attend a Select Committee Meeting at Liverpool City Council re Social Reform, affecting mainly Day Centres and Residential Care.

At first I was rather nervous, but as people filtered in there were lots of familiar faces - "Partners Graduates"  ( Partners in Policymaking ) and fellow campaigners too. I knew I was among friends and in a safe place! (this is important to me and many others who wished to speak at the meeting).

I had no idea how these meetings proceeded, what was going to happen or where we should even sit, as I entered the room. I was greeted by a kind man who offered me a cup of tea, he introduced himself and said “don't worry”, as I said It was quite daunting for me. He replied – “don't worry I'm on your side, I don't want Day Centres to close either!”  He assumed as I was a wheelchair user, I didn't want the Day Centres closing - how wrong he was!

Then the meeting got underway, starting with the formalities (which they kept to a minimum), introductions of the councillors and others who were sitting at the table in the middle of the room, the general public were sitting around the room.

After a short powerpoint presentation explaining how Day Centers are no longer meeting the need and that the Council were unable to keep both Day Centers and Self Directed support going - financially (my words not theirs), People from the public were invited to speak. There was a lady circulating the room, collecting names and then you were invited to the table, by the chair or a microphone was brought to you - as the room was quite packed.

I was second up and received quite well, although I was nervous there were a lot of supportive smiling faces that made me feel more at ease. I said pretty much all I'd intended to say except- my closing line was to be "There has to be a better way of supporting disabled people than Day Centres, through self directed support and supported employment etc" - as my whole point was based around Day Centers and Residential care creating dependency and not allowing individuals to grow to their full potential. This, in turn doesn't allow people to take part in mainstream society - adding that people with disabilities for the main part, wanted the ordinary things in life, that people around the table take for granted, etc. (guess you know what I'm talking about).

I did however say that there would be a small number of people that would need to use Day Centers and inferred that individual needs should be met.

As members of the public were asked to speak, in a group of 3 (at a time, one after another), then the councillors addressed their comments. One particular councillor addressed some kind comments about what I said or how I'd said it. I tried to find him at the end of the meeting, to thank him for his kind words.

Also as I spoke, Janet, the lady chairing the meeting, smiled at me gently, which helped a great deal. Unfortunately, I haven’t got a great short term memory, there were a number of contributors that spoke after me. I don't have a clear detailed recollection of what was said, but there were a number of different people with differing views - However I was mindful that some peoples’ views and some groups weren't represented, at the meeting.

The proposal was that a number of Day Centres would be closed - not all, and that there would be a consultation process over the next 12 weeks (that may be extended) to take in everyone’s views and meet with interested groups etc.

I had an opportunity at the end of the meeting to speak to a reporter from the Echo - I was getting a little tired by then, (hoping he wouldn’t misquote me too badly). Unfortunately that was the case – when I read the report in the next nights Echo! (a lesson learnt!).

Just thought I'd share my interesting experience with you - as I don't think I've ever been to something so important, where I was able to share my views and have the opportunity to influence powerful people.

I came away full of hope, as now we have a Labour council in Liverpool that at least appears to be listening - watch this space!

I also had an opportunity to speak to a few people more privately, before leaving the meeting regarding my concerns. Over recent years, I’ve met a number of quite fierce social workers, who don't seem to have disabled people's best interests at heart (arriving at peoples’ homes with pre-conceived ideas etc). My concerns were noted, and I was invited to contact one of the councillors, to further the discussion. The councillor invited a gentleman over to speak to me. He has a joint role with the PCT and the council, with responsibility for Social Services. I'd met him before, he talked about how he proposed to look at Social Work Training, asking if I'd like to be involved - he took my e-mail address.

There had been several reassurances, by various councillors that people would be assessed, “their needs being meet” - I have grave concerns about this, given the sort of Social Workers I've met recently, in my role as peer support regarding Direct Payments.

Congratulations to all that attended the meeting and contributed to the debate.  It made an interesting meeting. I truly believe our voices were heard! Watch this space to see what happens next!

 part 2 Radio Merseyside -Roger Philips Show – Phone in!

Following the previous weeks “Select Committee” Meeting were the proposals for “Social Care” reform was discussed at great length, with the opportunity to address the “Select Committee – a number of people expressed their views both for and against the proposal. I attended this meeting and had the opportunity to address the Select Committee – if you’d like to speak to me further about it I’d be happy to do so.

I’d met Cllr Ross Gladden at the meeting, she is the Chair of Cabinet on Social Car, on the morning of Wed 16th July Cllr Gladden rang me and told me that there was to be a “Phone In” – Debate, on the Councils proposal for reform of their “Day Care Services” (Day Centre’s).

I had an hour to get myself ready and book my place in the queue for the phone in at Radio Merseyside. I listened to the opening and introduction of the programme and the various people in the studio with Roger Phillips, eventually I was rung back by a member of staff at Merseyside – who advised me i’d have an opportunity to take part in the debate following the news, so I had a few minutes to take a few deep breaths and think what I was going to say. As the news finished Roger Phillips said – “now Debra is on the line”, “Hello Roger”, I replied. I started by commenting on the interesting contributors so far and then talked of Day Centres creating a culture of dependency – on others to make the most basic of decisions, dependency upon Benefits that excludes a number of disabled people from main stream society. I also added that there was a growing number of people that believed there were better ways to support people – “Personalization” (Direct Payments, Individual Budgets etc), as well as “supported Employment that would allow people to explore and develop their skill as well as accessing their community – making friends etc. “Hence a better quality of life, with more control and choice!”.

I guessed from listening to other callers, I should stay on the line, Roger invited comments from the people in the studio – have to admit that my mind wondered at that point. Eventually Roger asked if I was still there and invited me to comment on what had been said, my final comments were following a comment about government targets distracting from the main objective, Super Hubs were to have a skills sharing element and that there were a number of organisations in the voluntary sector the Council fund to provide support, for those with a moderate need – all of which I agreed with. I finished by thanking Roger for the opportunity.

The Council are proposing 9 of the 12 Day Centres will close, the existing ones will be refurbished and there will be Super Hubs open in the 3 areas across the City.

 Both attending the Select Committee Meeting and taking part in the Roger Phillips phone were positive experiences for me, I’m full of hope there will be changes for the better for many disabled people in Liverpool – at long last.

Deb Lynch    July 2010

30th  October 2009 News Release

Dismay for Disabled Community over Committee Delay

A long awaited breakthrough for wheelchair users in Liverpool has been put on hold due to a last minute challenge by a taxi maker, London Taxis International (LTI).  

A long two year struggle to get Liverpool City Council to license a modern, more accessible hackney taxi,  culminated in a High Court victory, in July this year supported even by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, for campaigner Alma Lunt.  The Court found the Council guilty of a national landmark case of discrimination against local wheelchair users who cannot travel safely in the existing, London-style taxis, and ignoring their needs.

Recognising the force of the Court ruling, and the discrediting of  previous expressed opinions without  acceptable evidence, that sliding doors or removal of the outdated turning circle requirements would  somehow compromise safety, Head of Licensing, Jill Newell has now recommended that the Council should  welcome the Peugeot E7 taxi in Liverpool.  The Council’s Licensing Committee was due to take a final decision last week – only to be blocked by a last-minute  protest from LTI, which makes and sells all the taxis currently allowed in Liverpool.

After campaigning and pleading for the widely used Peugeot E7 cab design, which trials found to be the best multipurpose cab available for wheelchair access, members of Liverpool Wheelchair User Group (LWUG) and other groups around Liverpool were ready to celebrate when the Taxi Licensing Committee met on Thursday 22nd October.

But excitement turned to shock across the City, when news spread of the last minute intervention. Disability campaigners are dismayed that the Committee immediately put the licensing of the E7 on hold with little explanation and are disgusted that the blatant commercial interests of a company have been put before the transport and safety needs of local wheelchair users.

Jean Price who attended the High Court in July  described the mood as: “shocked, and blocked for the moment, but still determined”.

 Alma Lunt treasurer of LWUG  said:  “We had to go all the way to the High Court in July to get our needs listened to, but now LTI – out of pure commercial interest - is trying to rob us of the rights confirmed by the Court ruling.”

John Bruce  LWUG Secretary  said  ” All we want is choice, choice for greater accessibility. LTI might not like the idea of having competitors for selling their own taxis in Liverpool but cabbies will still have opportunity to carry on buying and using the TX traditional London cabs, when the E7 is finally licensed, if they wish”

“We were deeply shocked and angry at this last minute threatening letter from LTI”, added John. “LTI advisers, from this taxi supplier have not only had every opportunity for the last 2 years, but were even seen ‘sitting on the shoulder’ of the City Council  Legal Team during the High Court case. It is clear that LTI are simply hoping to cling on to their market in Liverpool, by preventing the sale of another make of cab – despite the fact that the E7 is already successfully and safely in use across 95% of other towns and cities of the UK.”

Frank Andison, Secretary of ACSIL, the Liverpool amputee support group, lives close to the Knowsley border. “I have to get my niece to book a Peugeot E7 from there so I can travel safely, until Liverpool has its own E7s available.” 

Despite their disappointment, campaigners hope their goal of better safe and accessible travel will shortly be realised.  The Council was due to hear final comments from LTI on Wednesday, 28^th October.  Not only is LTI’s latest action a desperate attempt to keep the status quo, but leaves the City Council in breach both of the Disability Discrimination Act and the European Treaty until it implements changes to deal with the issues raised at the High Court.

Liverpool City Leaders have committed to finalise their decision as a matter of urgency.

London based TV presenter Lara Masters gives  E7 taxi  a gold star for access 

'Personally, I am less worried that my cab can do a perfect pirouette than that it’s an accessible vehicle that can get me from A to B. Time for an uprising'- Lara Masters 

link to Lara Masters thoughts

June 2009 Rebuilding of Liverpool Royal Hospital

At a cost of £470 million this may be needed but....

1. LWUG  is writing to Derek Campbell CEO Liverpool PCT concerned there is no provision for an access consultant to work closely with the architects to ensure it is inclusive. Just promising to meet Part M of Building Regs is not enough.
2. The PCT  have  failed to demonstrate that  Community Support Services,such as Social Workers, Direct payment schemes,  therapists, nurses, equipment stores, wheelchair service have enough budget, staffing and working well together. This should be done before the Royal is 'signed off'. 

June 2009  Accessible Taxi developments

Liverpool City Council will have to  face the shame of Discrimination Charges in High Court

28^th July 2009  is set to be ‘D’-Day for Liverpool City Council after the date was announced for a full hearing into charges that the Council has failed to meet its duties under the Disability Discrimination Act. 

The case, to be heard at the High Court in London, centres on claims that the Council persists in blocking many wheelchair users from travelling safely in city taxis.

Alma Lunt is taking the action on behalf of many other disabled people across Liverpool.  A coalition of local disability groups is campaigning to allow a new type of modern hackney cab that can safely accommodate many passengers with different needs and especially people needing space for larger wheelchairs.

Success
Manufactured by wheelchair accessible vehicle specialists Allied Vehicles, the Peugeot E7 design has proved successful across 95% of the UK. Nottingham is only the latest city to approve the Peugeot E7 cab , which is also welcomed in every Merseyside borough, except Liverpool.  The hackney-style cab is equipped with a shallow under-floor ramp, easy access step, high-visibility grab-handles and – crucially - a larger, level passenger area floor than is available in the traditional ‘London-style’ cab.

Facing disability discrimination charges in the High Court represents a major embarrassment for the City Council.  Local disability groups, however, are deeply disappointed that it has proved necessary to pursue this test case in order to get the Council to listen to their views.

John Bruce, Secretary of Liverpool Wheelchair User Group, commented:  “Despite its legal requirements to consult and consider the needs of local communities, the sad fact is that our own Council   makes promises and  Council leaders sign big public  documents about reducing barriers, but has bizarrely refused to listen to local disabled people on what is a crucial, safety-related issue which affects  the lives of a great many local wheelchair users, and which won’t even cost the Council a penny. We all need some answers to the question why!

“Licensing the new-style cab simply gives a choice of vehicle to drivers”, continued John.  “We have many great cabbies in Liverpool and we want to look after them better, with the choice of a vehicle with more space inside.  The wheelchair ramp in tests has a shallower gradient, meaning less strain on the driver as well as less bumping and manoeuvring for a disabled person who needs to remain in their own chair when travelling.”

Wheelchair user Jean Price, of MCIL added: “We continue to explain our case, and won’t and can’t go away, as we have no alternative apart from staying marooned at home or travelling unsafely. 

“At present many people with larger wheelchairs have to be left sideways, scarily unsecured when travelling in the smaller traditional London cabs.  Whilst we would welcome a proposed new Mercedes cab on the streets of Liverpool, which we understand may come before the Licensing Committee soon, it unfortunately has little more wheelchair manoeuvring space to offer than the traditional London Cab.”

April 2009- Warmer weather is coming . Tell us about the places you go or want to go. How do you rate the accessibility? Let us know.

 Nottingham sees sense  and licenses E7

London, Manchester, Liverpool, Peterborough and Norwich. Last remaining Council licensing committees  to still  ignore  the research and the evidence of  shortcomings of smaller traditional  taxis and   still block  modern taxis such as the E7 as a  valuable vehicle that safely accomodates larger wheelchairs -

22nd October  2009 10am Millenium House, Liverpool. The Licensing Committee meets to consider a recommendation from the Licensing Team who now   recommend the Peugeot E7 as a suitable Hackney Cab. 

8th September 2009 Liverpool City Council accept the High Court  verdict and will not appeal against any of the Justice Blakes judgements.

The way ahead now is a fresh impact assessment and re consideration of the E7, as a safe reliable multi purpose cab design  for the wider public, already in use across 95% of the UK, and a substantial contribution to the streets of liverpool especially for many with larger wheelchairs, unable to travel safely in current fleet made up of traditional London Cabs. 

31st July 2009 Landmark Judgement won in High Court

Questions must surely be asked when Liverpool City Leaders, key Councillors, Officers and Solicitors are told to get their house in order and presented with the total legal Bill of an estmated £200,000  upwards.

Jean Price and Alma Lunt only travelled down to the High Court in London after getting nowhere with requesting time and again proper consultation, and practical evaluation of vehicles.

Questions must be asked about why our Council  supposedly Committed to  removing barriers and challenging discrimination ends up with a shameful court action and costs

Judge Justice Blake in the London High Court found in our favour on every point of our case!!!!!!!

The Case had been brought against Liverpool City Council LCC, with Alma Lunt, treasurer of Liverpool Wheelchair User Group, and co chair of MCIL, as the named person.

The Judge  found

·         discrimination by Liverpool City Council had taken place under the Disability Equality Duty 2006, and had failed to take  reasonable and practicable steps to meet the need that had been clearly identified to them

·         In spite of Liverpool’s protestations and denials, that there was clear evidence that  there were wheelchair users who were unable to safely travel using the existing taxi fleet in Liverpool .

·         That  there was evidence that the Peugeot E7 taxi presented a positive benefit -of safe accessible travel, especially to many  people with larger wheelchairs

·         That Liverpool CC had  not presented an evidential basis for their objections to the E7.

So………….

The Judge cannot order Liverpool to  stop messing about  and license the E7…. But .....................

This should pave the way to re consideration on a proper  evidential basis of the licensing of any vehicle , but especially the  Peugeot E7 , already successfully  licensed round 95% of the UK as a safe reliable taxi with a great contribution to assessible travel, especially for larger wheelchair users.

Once  the E7, or any cab is licensed by the City Council,

Cab owners and operators are then free to purchase and put the E7 on our roads, to our benefit for safer travel for many.

 TheE7 is already making a difference in Knowsley where  they were licensed for the first time only August 2008.

 We also hope this is a wake up call for  commitment to better consultation and partnership around the City and across the UK.

·         More details to follow – the final written judgement does not come out till September 2009!

•  ( June 2009 ) National MENCAP supports Changing Places campaign across the UK with events and media articles. In Liverpool  we have a firm promise of a Changing Place in the new Liverpool Museum . Where would help you or people you know?
• How accessible are Liverpool based airlines?

 (Sept 2007) Bill Shorthall our previous LWUG treasurer was recently interviewed very early in the morning by Radio Merseyside at John Lennon Airport. Thanks for your early morning dedication Bill! 

• Peugeot E7 taxi available in our City?

July 2009

Lara Masters , writer and TV presenter, gives a gold star to the E7 for access.

acknowledgements to Disability Now  Magazine for  this extract

(link to Disability Now  for full article )

'I had mixed feelings when asked to review this new electric taxi, because in the last nine years I have developed an uncharacteristically venomous hatred of cabs. Since living in Willesden Green, north-west London, about five minutes from Notting Hill, I have never been able to get a taxi to collect me from home when using my Taxicard. Apparently, living in the suburbs is even more of a disability than using a wheelchair.

With professional stoicism, I refused to let my negative experiences cloud my judgement of the Allied Vehicles ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) E7, a conversion of the Peugeot Expert. This electric taxi doesn’t look like a traditional black cab; it’s larger, squarer and more spacious inside, like a people-carrier but with the usual seat formation and partition between driver and passengers.

The single ramp, which pulls out from underneath the vehicle, is large and wide but mercifully easy to manoeuvre, and feels sturdy, so there is no need for 20 minutes of “a little bit left, a little bit right” while you wobble up two precariously-placed narrow ramps, fearing for your life and watching the taxi meter hurtle towards your allowance limit.

Once inside, there is enough room for a large wheelchair to turn to face the back and an impressive array of straps secures you firmly into place. If you are into bondage, this will be a highlight.

The electric taxi produces no carbon dioxide emissions (black taxis are responsible for four per cent of the capital’s total emissions). Of course, much as I love to know my taxi is cost-efficient and will help ensure our world won’t be extinguished by a cloud of pollution, what I’m really interested in is that it’s perfectly accessible!

My excitement abated when I found that it doesn’t look as if wheelchair-using Londoners or Liverpudlians will be able to use these revolutionary taxis any time soon.

Even though the same model in its diesel form is successfully in use in cities such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham, councils in London and Liverpool have raised object­ions to the E7 being included in their fleet because its “turning circle” is too big.

Personally, I am less worried that my cab can do a perfect pirouette than that it’s an accessible vehicle that can get me from A to B. Time for an uprising.'

October 2008 Liverpool’s wheelchair users have been granted the right to challenge their Council’s discriminatory licensing policy in a judicial review test case.

High Court Judge Sir Michael Harrison ordered a full hearing of the case  in Early Spring 2009.

 We hope the Licensing Committee will look again at how much  merely allowing the licensing of this vehicle would mean to safety and ease of access for disabled people especially with larger wheelchairs.

Can Liverpool live with Choice?-Yes. Can the Taxi firms and garages of Liverpool live with Choice?-Yes. Just like most parts of the UK who sucessfully allow both the E7 and the London style cabs on the streets.

August 2008 Knowsley Council say yes to Choice in Taxis and licence the Peugeot E7.

Cab drivers refusing to help?

 We have some great drivers in this City, but both MCIL and LWUG have had disturbing reports recently that some people using larger wheelchairs have suddenly been refused travel by their regular taxi firm. If you know anything more about this obscene development, please let us know ASAP   

 lwug@hotmail.co.uk 

July 24th 2008 BBC News LWUG- 

We made our case on Northwest Tonight - still  available of the Internet.

follow link to BBC NEWS Video LWUG Asks Why No Choice in Liverpool Taxis?

May 2008. Changing Place in Liverpool City Centre now open!

A Changing Place complete with overhead trackhoist, adjustable height changing table, just bring your own sling! is available in the Liverpool One Centre.For more info tel 0151 232 3140. or see national website  http://www.changing-places.org

 Shopmobility moves to amazing new home in Liverpool One Centre.

(see our Accessible Liverpool Page for more details.)

LWUG and  Merseyside Coalition of Inclusive Living (MCIL)  jointly support a campaign for Licensing of Peugeot E7 taxi as a Hackney Carriage in Liverpool. 

The familiar LTI TX London style 'Black Cab' is  helpful for lots of people,  but many wheelchair users are forced to travel sideways, unsecured and unsafe. The E7 taxi would be a major contribution to an accessible City and many taxi drivers we have spoken to would welcome them.

December 4th 2007  event at Lifehouse very successful, lots of positive comments as people tried out the E7 taxicab for themselves

Diversity in Taxis- a chance of Access for All? Why are we denied it by our Council and Councillors?

Denied by Council meeting Friday 28th March 2008. Chairman Malcolm Kelly and fellow Councillors chose to ignore the evidence and testimony of widespread danger and discomfort of wheelchair users, travelling sideways and unsecured in the  London style cabs.

They accepted a 'picture painted at the meeting' of any  modern cab style cabs like the E7 as.. juggernauts careering across the pavements of Liverpool in the hands of maniacs, with passengers jumping out dangerously all over the place unused to... sliding doors! Because of this, we are denied access by the Committee to an accessible taxi design that is in use succesfully and safely in large cities across the UK.

We will to continue to campaign and lobby ..because we have no alternative for safe travel. What has happened to inclusive transport planning and the DDA?

( October 2007) LWUG and MCIL are working together behind a campaign to allow the E7 design of taxi to be licensed in Liverpool as a Hackney Carriage

On Wed 31st October  2007, after lengthy postponements, the Licensing Committee heard the case , including Alma Lunt modelling in the E7 Taxi outside Millenium House! Submissions and reports were made by  Alma Lunt and John Bruce. The decision has been  deferred until the New Year.

It is simply  the  choice and opportunity to have use of a taxi design on our streets of Liverpool  that will give many of us more space, ease of use, the opportunity to travel alongside several  friends, and the option of travelling facing forwards. Is this too much to ask?

click on the web link       Anne mcGuire Government Minister impressed by E7 taxi in Glasgow

Come and try the E7 Eurotaxi for yourself

Tuesday 4th December 2007

between 12-4pm in car park outside Lifehouse L3 4BL

At the same time,why not drop in on the Open Day at Liverpool Disabled Living Centre  inside the Lifehouse building, reception tel. 0151 296 7733

Watch this space for  E7 news. LWUG and other groups will not give up , and continue to press our case.If you have an opinion let us know.