Disability charity Optua is working with Mid Suffolk District
Council to give disabled people in Mid Suffolk the chance to have
their say.
A new Mid Suffolk Disability Forum is being set up in 2010.
Optua and the council would like to hear from anyone with a
learning, physical or sensory disability or mental health issue who
is interested in getting involved.
The aim is to set up a group to represent the interests of all
disabled people living in the Mid Suffolk area and enable them to
talk about the issues they face. It will also provide an
opportunity for the council to consult with disabled people on any
issues which directly affect them.
Anyone with a disability or those representing disability
organisations are welcome to take part. The plan is to hold a first
meeting of the Mid Suffolk Disability Forum in Mid March when
anyone interested will be invited to come along.
Mid Suffolk District Council has asked Optua to help with the
setting up of the forum because of the charity’s links with
disabled people and its experience in setting up a similar forum in
the Forest Heath area. The Forest Heath Disability Forum is working
very well and has already had some very positive results in
addressing local issues and sharing ideas and information.
Linda Hoggarth, Chairman of Optua, said: “We are pleased to be
working with Mid Suffolk District Council to set up a new forum for
disabled people to discuss the issues that affect them. This
should be a very useful way for disabled people in Mid Suffolk to
come together and talk about the difficulties they face in their
communities and to consider solutions to those
difficulties.
“A Disability Forum is an excellent opportunity for there to be
a focus on disability issues and it should be possible to work with
Mid Suffolk District Council to achieve some very positive
results. We really would like as many people as possible to
come forward and get involved, whether they have a physical,
sensory or learning disability or a mental health problem, or
represent a voluntary organisation or group that works with
disabled people.”
Councillor Sara Michell, Chairman of Mid Suffolk District
Council and the lead member for Equality and Diversity said: "By
working with Optua, we can make sure that the disabled people of
Mid Suffolk have the opportunity to talk to us and tell us about
the difficulties they may face, so we can work together to find a
solution. At Mid Suffolk, we are fully committed to doing all that
we can to ensure that all of our residents have the opportunity to
engage with us. This Forum will be an excellent opportunity for
people to tell us what they would like to see changed."
Anyone interested in the Mid Suffolk Disability Forum can
contact Optua on 01473 836777 or email:
feedback@optua.org.uk .
Optua is keen to hear from people before Mid February so they can
be invited to the first meeting.
Mid Suffolk District Council may be able to assist with travel
arrangements to enable people to attend the forum
meetings.
-Ends-
Media Contact:
Optua - James Powell, PR Manager, Optua, Tel: 01473
836746/836777.
Mid Suffolk District Council - Vicky Smy, Senior Communications
Officer, Tel: 01449 724850