Leading Disability Equality in Scotland

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Leading Disability Equality in Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts

31 March 2015

Directors’ Report

Registered Number SC243392 Charity Number SCO31893 Introduction from Jackie Maceira Convenor of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum

On behalf of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) I am pleased to present our Annual Accounts with an overview of the activities undertaken in the year to March 2015.

This year has been one of conclusion and achievement with regard to the activities taken up last year. We have seen a great increase in engagement, collaboration and participation with our stakeholders and a great many opportunities which have arisen as a result.

As always, we are grateful to the Equality Unit of the Scottish Government and the Adult Care and Support Division for their continued funding to support the work that we do. Without this support we would have been unable to achieve all that we have this year.

As the needs and gaps created by changes in our society continue to affect disabled people it is increasingly important that groups and bodies of influence come together with a shared vision to develop a holistic approach to equality and access. SDEF is working towards this vision, and is delighted to have grown our network of partners with a view to taking further opportunities forward next year with that collaborative spirit.

Lastly, our reason for being is to achieve positive change for those it serves to support, and as always we are indebted to our members for the huge part they play in our work and our achievements, whether as individual members, Access Panels or organisational members. I wish to thank you all sincerely for your dedication and continued support in working towards making Scotland a more equitable and accessible place to live for disabled people in Scotland.

Jackie Maceira SDEF Convener

The Directors present their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015.

Directors

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 2 The following Directors served during the year:

Jackie Maceira Maurin MacDonald Agnes Stewart (resigned 16/04/14) Hector Macdonald Stephen Cruickshank Alister Scott Pat McGuigan Denis Shovlin Fred Cumming

No Director had a direct interest in the company during the period.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by the Articles of Association. The company is a charity limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

Methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new Directors

New Directors are elected by a ballot of voting members. Vacancies may be filled by resolution of the Directors.

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of Directors.

Directors are recruited in line with the terms laid out in the Articles of Association. Up to five Directors may be elected at an Annual General Meeting by voting member organisations and, save for office bearers, serve for two years at which time they will be subject to election at the Annual General Meeting. In addition three Directors are elected by Access Panel member organisations at an Annual General Meeting and, save for office bearers, serve for two years at which time they will be subject to election at the Annual General Meeting. Office Bearers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve until the third Annual General Meeting following their appointment.

Induction documents are issued to all new Directors, containing existing Business Plans; the Memorandum and Articles of Association; roles and responsibilities; Code of Practice for Board Members, organisational information and contact details. Directors learn about their role and responsibilities and are briefed on strategic issues affecting SDEF and the policies of the organisation. The SDEF website has a broad range of material to support

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 3 Directors in their roles. There are also opportunities to engage in away-day meetings with staff, to clarify roles, responsibilities and approaches.

Organisational Structure

SDEF is governed by its Board of Directors, which sets the policies and is responsible for the strategic overview of the charity. These policies are implemented by the Board. Members may also take part in the policy-making activity of the charity by passing resolutions at the Annual General Meeting: these resolutions need to be ratified by the Board before implementation. The Board meets generally six times per annum.

Responsibility for operational matters is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer within a clearly understood framework. The Board is involved in determining corporate strategy, including setting key strategic objectives and targets; making major decisions involving use of financial and other resources; and setting a framework for human resources policy.

Relationship between the charity and affiliates and related parties

The charity is also the Umbrella Body for Access Panels in Scotland which advise public bodies, local councils and other agencies on matters relating to access and equality for people affected by disability. Access Panels may engage in wider community planning and advise on access in its fullest sense, including: health; transport; housing; employment; education; leisure & recreation, open space and the countryside, underpinned by the principles of Independent Living and according to the articles stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Risk management

A risk management system exists within SDEF which sets out the major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the Directors. Directors periodically review the risks and systems. Procedures have been established to identify, monitor and manage the risks.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Summary of the objects as set out in governing document

(i) to promote the benefit of disabled people in Scotland by encouraging communication between disabled people and national and local organisations concerned with the inclusion of disabled people in society; Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 4 (ii) to advance the education of the public about disability equality and accessible environments, and to effect positive change in attitude and awareness of disability.

Explanation of the charity's aims

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) works for social inclusion in Scotland through the removal of barriers and the promotion of equal access for people affected by disability. It is a membership organisation representing individuals with any type of impairment, disability organisations, groups and individuals who share our values. SDEF aims to ensure the voice of people affected by disability is heard and acted upon.

Main Objectives for the Year

SDEF has been involved in a large number of projects, all of which focus on the organisation’s guiding principles to:

1. Promote and raise awareness of equality and access Scotland-wide.

2. Improve participation and communication between disabled people and public bodies, with a view to improving access to services.

3. Promote action to make Scotland, Scottish institutions and services more accessible to disabled people.

4. Promote engagement of disabled people in policy areas, ensuring that their voices are heard and heeded.

5. Build good relationships with key players in the disability field and identify opportunities for partnership working.

Below are the two main areas of work delivered through funding from the Equality Unit (SDEF Core Work) and from Adult Care and Support (Access Panel Project)

1. SDEF Core Work

Policy Engagement

On a Parliamentary level, SDEF has been involved in a number of meetings with Ministers and Policy Officials over the Smith Commission, Community

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 5 Empowerment, Health and Social Care, Transport, Hate Crime, Employment and Independent Living, amongst others. We have also engaged in several Scottish Government led events on their work under the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Further, SDEF engages with other organisations and bodies on policy related matters and is part of the Independent Living Programme Board (ILPB) which aims to influence positive change on a strategic level. SDEF is also involved in the Scottish Independent Living Coalition (SILC) and the Executive Advisory Group (EAG) for the Independent Living in Scotland Project (ILiS). More recently, we have joined the board of ILF Scotland, Criminal Justice Disability Advisory Group and Transport Scotland Working Group and the Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Inclusive Communication Hub Consortium. All of these groups and Boards seek to ensure that the rights and wishes of disabled people to live in an inclusive society are reflected in their practices and strategies.

Consultations

SDEF has consulted with members on a range of issues including ScotRail 2014, Accessibility at Work, Independent Living, Assisted Suicide, Rights to Education Support and Complaints, Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, The Scottish Independence Bill, The Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill, National Care Standards, Consultation on the Home Report, Mental Health Strategy – Psychology Therapies, The EU Passengers’ Rights and Obligations Regulation (PRO) Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility (DPRM), British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill, Draft Scottish Planning Policy amongst others.

Communication

SDEF has further improved accessibility of its materials through the provision of easy read formats for consultations and other work, and through the availability of other accessible formats, such as spoken word and an improved symbols library.

Over the course of the year, SDEF developed and disseminated the following materials to its members and wider readership.

Open Door Publications e-newsletters e-newsletter ‘Policy Specials’ Induction packs containing information on UNCRPD, Independent Living and Disability Equality. Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 6 Spoken Word documents available online Guides and toolkits across a number of related areas including communication, evaluation and reporting, membership and funding.

SDEF is delighted to report a significant increase in membership and in member participation on consultations, events and training. We have also increased the number of collaborative activities, several of which will form the basis of our work next year.

Disability Roadshows

SDEF held roadshows across several areas including Community Empowerment, Hate Crime, UNCRPD, Transport and other areas of interest. The roadshows were held across Scotland and were well attended. We will continue these throughout the course of next year, visiting harder to reach areas to improve opportunities to participate.

Open Door Days

As part of our local outreach initiative, SDEF held a monthly ‘drop-in service’ open to all, to provide a space for queries or issues around disability. Staff made themselves available, providing guidance or signposting visitors to relevant organisations.

2. Access Panel Project

SDEF has continued to work in partnership with the Access Panel Network, thanks to Adult Care and Support Services who have funded this work until 2016. Further, the Equality Unit generously awarded SDEF £80,000 for distribution to Access Panels. This was distributed via an Access Panel Grant award and has provided vital financial support to panels to continue their good work.

Training

Sustainability Training Project

The Sustainability Project completed in March 2015, having delivered support and training to a total of 33 panels across the year in the following areas:

Training Membership Networking Funding Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 7 IT Skills Internal Governance Promotion & Awareness Reporting & Evaluation

The aim of this training project was to

1. Protect and enhance the work of Access Panels 2. Address and influence key access issues 3. Influence the development of policy and legislation 4. Develop key external relationships and support Access Panels 5. Support panels to identify opportunities for growth and sustainability

Collaboration and Participation

Our focus this year has been on improved engagement between individuals, groups and bodies to better inform local and national government of the needs of disabled people in Scotland. Both SDEF and the Access Panel project have worked together to include our members across a range of events and activities aimed at improving services for disabled people.

Transport Scotland

SDEF held six events across Scotland in collaboration with Transport Scotland to gather the opinions of disabled people with regard to their experience of transport issues. These events were well attended and resulted in a total of 50 issues being brought forward, which will be discussed at the Transport Summit to be held in the next funding year.

Police Scotland

SDEF worked in partnership with Police Scotland to deliver these events which aimed to promote new additions to their inclusive communication tools, as well as gleaning opinions from disabled people on the effectiveness of their services through real-time scenarios. The events were attended in total by over 300 people and were a great success.

Health Facilities Scotland

Health Facilities Scotland worked in collaboration with SDEF to deliver a Workshop event aimed at evaluating current healthcare facilities and identifying solutions to issues raised

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 8 on the day. The event was well attended with many SDEF members contributing to the day.

Paneltown

Paneltown is now in its second year – a template website for Access Panels which aims to strengthen the Access Panel Network by providing a universal template for panels across Scotland. This website will become a ‘hub’ for all Access Panel related news and activities, as well as providing an information point for disabled people wishing to join their local panel or to find out more about what they do.

Other Work

Equality Internship Programme

In conjunction with SCVO, BEMIS and CEMVO, SDEF delivered the Equality Internship Programme which secured employment opportunities for disabled people across Scotland. The programme, with its learning is being continued in 2015/16 and seeks to provide further employment opportunities with a broader remit.

Employability Journey Project

This project has been undertaken in collaboration with AccessAble, Borders Access Panel. The first phase resulted in the development of a booklet called ‘Breaking Barriers’, which aims to raise awareness to employers of the barriers to work which many disabled people find, solutions to these issues and to inform employers of the benefits of employing a disabled person. The project also provided support to disabled people by sharing stories and experiences of others and how they overcame some of the barriers they experienced. This work is continuing, feeding in from next year’s Equality Internship Programme and from other relevant projects which will inform a final publication.

Collaborative Work

SDEF worked with a wide range of agencies on shared concerns. These included: Independent Living Fund Scotland; Criminal Justice Disability Project Team, Scottish Prison Service, Police Scotland, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Black and Ethnic Minorities in Scotland (BEMIS), Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO), Euan’s Guide, PAMIS, Living Streets, ILiS; Inclusion Scotland; Self-Directed Support Scotland (SDSS); Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCIL); Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL); Health Facilities Scotland; Scottish Building Standards Division; Transport Scotland; Roads for All; Forth Replacement Crossing; Fife Council; Highland Council; North Lanarkshire

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 9 Council; Planning Directorate; Health Directorate, Equality Unit; Sports Scotland; Most NHS Boards; NHS National Service Scotland and many more.

Events

To improve focus on local issues, SDEF held two Access Panel Conferences, North and Central, held in Inverness and Stirling respectively. Members were invited to participate in discussions and speakers were from across key areas including Transport, Justice and Communication.

3. Strategies for achieving stated objectives

As noted, these activities constitute our two principal areas of work, with each serviced by a specific Business Plan. These set out the various objectives which have been approved by the Board of Trustees and by the appropriate departments of the Scottish Government.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Review of charitable activities with a view to performance and objectives set.

The two sectors which are funded by the appropriate Units of the Scottish Government are subject to the funding conditions issued along with the annual grants. The approved Business Plans are therefore subject to a reporting structure to funders which has been complied with. Fuller detail is available in our Annual Report.

Investment performance against objectives

The Charity is not involved in investment, although it has the power to make investments if the Directors see fit.

Factors within and outside charity control

The Charity’s activities are governed by the criteria laid down by the principal funder – the Scottish Government.

FINANCIAL REVIEW Our accountancy services are provided by Atkinson & Co Limited and take the form of an Independent Examination.

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 10 The results for the year are shown in the attached financial statements. The total of accumulated funds at 31st March 2015 were £94,411 (2014 - £121,293) including unrestricted funds of £80,649 (2014 - £92,176) and restricted funds of £13,762 (2014 - £29,117). The surplus on restricted reserves is mainly attributable to one quarters funding outstanding at 31st March 2015.

Reserves policy

Key parts of the restricted funds are to be used for a specific purpose as laid down by the donor. If funding was lost these services would be discontinued as unrestricted income would not fund the relevant expenditure. The remaining general fund, which constitutes the free reserves of the company, represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results and is there to cover future contingencies which may arise through changes in funding. This would allow the charity to continue operating for a maximum of six months.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

SDEF remains committed to its primary aim of promoting equality and improving access. The team has identified key opportunities across a wide range of services, groups and bodies which serve to significantly further our primary aim over the coming year and our focus will be on the following areas:

Promotion of Equality to improve Employment Opportunities

Through various projects, we will continue to raise awareness of the barriers faced by disabled people and highlight examples of good practice in access and inclusion.

Improve Collaboration to increase Transport Connectivity

We will work with Transport Scotland and other bodies and organisations with the aim of improving collaboration between disabled people and transport providers.

Wider Engagement in Access Assessment on a Local and National Level

We will work towards improving access through the provision of Access Audit Services in collaboration with the Access Panel Network

Increase Disabled People’s Engagement and Influence in Local and National Policy

Through improved consultation, collaboration and participation we will work to empower disabled people to influence decision-making on a local and national level.

Broader and Better Provision and Use of Accessible Information Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 11 We will work in Partnership to improve understanding of inclusive communication and use of accessible formats across public, third and private sectors.

Support panels to increase capacity and outreach in their locality

We will continue to deliver support, funding and training to the Access Panel Network with a view to working towards sustainability, whether through funding or services.

SDEF will continue in its primary aim to promote disability equality by ensuring that the voices of disabled people are heard and heeded, and that an inclusive society becomes a tangible goal, valued and desired by all.

The report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf.

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Director Name Date

SCOTTISH IncomeDISABILIT forand the year ended 2015 2014 Income £ £ Voluntary 160,132 160,132 Voluntaryincome - - 105 Investmentincome - 504 422 Scottish 145,000 145,000 ScottishGovernmen 52,232 41,943 SCVOGovernmen – 21,517 6,375 OtherEQUINT 300 1,531 income 379,685 355,508 Expenditur Refunde of - - Reversalunder of - 300 sponsorship Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 12 Allocated to 80,530 63,423 StaffAccess costs 162,662 147,228 Recruitment 1,439 2,163 Travel,& training 14,154 17,300 Rentsubsistence & 17,423 10,799 Insuranceservice 1,483 1,625 Telephone 2,215 2,013 Postage,& internet 11,697 16,945 Publicationsstationery & 1,416 1,790 Computer& 2,667 11,794 Advertisingexpenses 2,173 750 Sundry& website 1,241 686 Supportingexpenses 290 961 Consultancdisabled 67,792 26,691 NASTy 9,913 - Eventsexpenses 18,172 - Bank 14 32 Accountanccharges 3,506 3,090 Professionay fees 6,152 12,224 Rooml fees hire 1,628 8,890 & 406,567 328,704 Surplus/(Deficit) for year (26,882) 26,804

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2015 2015 2014 £ £ Current assets Debtors 17,290 28,271 Cash at 87,269 163,315 bank and in hand

104,559 191,586

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 13 Creditors: (10,148) (70,293) amounts falling due within one year

Net assets 94,411 121,293

Capital and reserves Restricted 13,762 29,117 funds General 80,649 92,176 fund

Accumulat 94,411 121,293 ed funds

Full financial statements which have been examined by Atkinson & Co. are available from the company on request.

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Director’s Report Page 14