Bracknell

People with disabilities in Bracknell Forest are being asked to give their opinions on the Council’s first disability equality scheme (DES).

It covers how the Bracknell Council will work with and provide services for disabled people, alongside promoting equality by working in partnership with the community.

Ideas suggested for inclusion in the DES’s action plan include:

* Ensuring disabled people have direct representation on the various partnership boards in Bracknell Forest
* Increasing awareness of disabled people and their needs
* Providing a more joined up service for disabled people
* Providing more opportunities for sharing good practice
* Improving communication between the Council and disabled residents.

The consultation asks disabled people and their carers if they have used any Council services or facilities over the last year, if there have been any problems accessing them and how they could be improved.

Bracknell Council is compiling its DES under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, and needs to have it in place by December.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure and Corporate Services, said: We are very keen to hear from all disabled people and their carers in Bracknell Forest to make sure we are fully catering for their needs.

This strategy reinforces the Council's ongoing commitment to ensuring disabled people have access to all our buildings and services.”

To read and comment on the DES, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/yc-bracknell-forest-disability-equality-scheme, or call Pauline Alderton on 01344 355603. The Council will welcome comments until the end of January.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council