Tag Archives: autism
Autism-Friendly Panto Performance Confirmed
Theatregoers with special needs and their families are getting the chance to attend a special performance of the pantomime.
Producers of this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal festive spectacular Cinderella have given the green light to a relaxed performance at 5.30pm on Wednesday January 15 next year.
While the show itself will be the same as the rest of the performances, there will be a number of special facilities specifically for theatre-goers with autism, their families and friends, and anyone else who prefers to attend a more relaxed show.
These include:
- A more relaxed atmosphere meaning patrons can move around, and enter and leave as they wish through the show.
- A break-out room where patrons can take a break from the show.
- The auditorium lights will remain on a low-level throughout the performance
- A specially-extended interval of 30 minutes
Fighting in High court for Care
Disabled pensioner set for High Court battle with council over One Barnet scheme
Campaigner Maria Nash outside Barnet House in Whetstone. Picture: Polly Hancock.
by Tim Lamden Monday, March 18, 2013
7:00 AM
A disabled pensioner is preparing for a High Court battle with Barnet Council this week in a bid to topple its controversial £320million outsourcing plans.
Lawyers instructed by New Barnet resident Maria Nash, 68, will go head-to-head with the council’s legal team in the Royal Courts of Justice tomorrow for a three-day hearing challenging the legality of the One Barnet outsourcing scheme.
Ms Nash, who has received government aid to fund the legal bid, called for the judicial review, citing a lack of consultation about the plans to outsource a swathe of council services to two private companies.
She also insists the council has failed to meet equality obligations in relation to the plans, which attracted a petition with 8,000 signatures in January calling for a referendum on One Barnet.
In a cabinet meeting last month it was revealed that should the High Court rule in favour of Ms Nash, it would cost the council £15million annually to deal with the collapse of One Barnet and would force a re-think on plans to freeze council tax over the next two years.
“This is a warning to everybody else that there is a better way of doing things,” said Ms Nash. “If a council consults with residents they can give more insight on how better to spend money and how better to cater for the needs of the citizens – much better than a private company which only caters for profit.”
Ms Nash is confined to a wheelchair due to severe arthritis and requires a full-time carer to help her with daily life. She also suffers from osteoporosis and diabetes.
The mother-of-one, whose husband died in 2001 after contracting a hospital bug and who lost her 13-year-old daughter to meningitis in 1992, has an autistic son she also helps to care for.
Personal Independence Payment could change blue badge eligibility
Blue badge ‘life line’ could be taken away
February 11, 2013
A mum of two autistic children has condemned plans by the Government which will make it tougher for her to gain a disabled blue badge.
Under new Government welfare reforms the parking concession permits will be linked to a new personal independence payment (PIP) which will replace disability living allowance (DLA) in April.
This has a much narrower criteria for eligibility which will make it increasing difficult for people with autism and their carers to get a blue badge, even those assessed as having mobility needs.
Jo-Anna Dem, 45, of Carsdale Close, Coley Park, fears losing the badge which she claims has been a lifeline in caring for her autistic sons Adama, aged 10, and eight-year-old Gabriel.
