Breaking down disability barriers (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Breaking down disability barriers

8:56pm Wednesday 9th January 2008

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A NEW scheme to improve the lives of hundreds of disabled people across Burnley has been launched.

The Breaking Down Barriers project, co-ordinated by Calico Housing, aims to ensure everyone is able to access services and support equally regardless of any disability or impairment.

Calico Housing's Disability Forum, a group made up of disabled customers, staff and board members from the landlord, have helped to draw up the strategy.

They unveiled their action plan this month and are surv-eying thousands of residents to find out what stops them living life to the full.

The findings of the survey will help Calico to develop its homes and services to help disabled people. Val Garrett, director of customer services, said: "This is a long term plan which we will be using at Calico to help us develop our home and services, to ensure we do everything possible to remove barriers that disabled people face."

She added: "We are confid-ent this work will provide a sound foundation for us to build upon.

"But it is only a start and there is still much to do in the first three years, and beyond if we are really going to make a difference to disabled peoples lives."

The Disability Forum will also be involved in reviewing the scheme each year and monitoring progress against the action plan.

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