16 October 2006
Statutory members of the Eastbourne Strategic Partnership (ESP) recently held a joint involvement event in preparation for Disability Equality Schemes that will be in place by December this year. Disability Equality Schemes will promote equality of opportunity for disabled people and will contain an action plan that has been developed with the involvement of local disabled people.
The ESP was able to ensure that Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex and Weald PCT along with Sussex Police and Eastbourne Homes Ltd coordinated their consultation and involvement of disabled people, thus cutting down the number of times people were asked the same question. Over 40 disabled people and representatives from organisations attended the event. The event was received positively with comments such as 'what a good event, I am glad I came' and 'thank you for inviting me, I really enjoyed it, when is the next one?'
Public bodies will have to have Disability Equality Schemes in place by December 2006 and all those who attended the event in Eastbourne will be sent a draft to comment on.
