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Oldham Disability Alliance and DIAL
Oldham have both been in existence since 1992 and operated as two separate
services within the Borough of Oldham. For several years the DIAL service
relied upon the support and guidance of both paid staff and Board members of
ODA.
In 2004 both boards met to look
at what and how the future of both services would be and look like. Several
development meetings/workshops then took place and staff were consulted and
involved in shaping the future of a potential single organisation.
After much discussion and soul
searching the Boards of Oldham Disability Alliance and DIAL Oldham made the
decision to join together as Disability Action Oldham (DAO) and the new
organisation came into operation on 1st July 2005.
At that moment in time DAO was a
Company Ltd by Guarantee and awaiting Charitable status. This happened in
August 2005.
The dual registration was essential
for DIAL to maintain it’s charitable status which reflected the ethos of the
organisation.
Oldham Disability Alliance had, since
1992, been responsible for the development and implementation of eleven
disability services in Oldham.
The advent of the Disability
Discrimination Act (1994) had seen the responsibility for service development
and other inclusion of disabled people placed squarely upon statutory, private
and commercial shoulders. Not that the voluntary sector could or should bow
out of service provision but that legislation would be developed to ensure
that service provision and needs of disabled people were fairly met by all.
The time was right to look at what
Services would provided in the future.
Current Service.
DAO are responsible for providing an
advice and information service to disabled people and carers in Oldham. This
is still recognised and known as DIAL Oldham.
This service is available 5 days a
week via telephone, home visits and office appointments.
During 2006/07 DIAL generated
£1,458,990 extra income from benefits for people living in Oldham. Added to
this is also the extra income that is received by OMBC for some 435 awards of
Attendance Allowance / DLA Care component.
The information and development
service has been responsible for writing a Toolkit for the engagement of
diverse people with Diverse Needs. This will form a part of OMBC’s Engagement
Strategy Document.
Under development is also a new
approach to the directories known as Making Contact and Navigator. These will
no longer be presented in their current format but a new and smaller pocket
book will enable service users to assess needs and access interventions to
help them.
A new interactive web site will be
created for professionals and individuals to access the full contents of the
previous directories with new additions. We are working towards this being
available in April 2008.
These developments will mean that more
up to date information will be available and the process to do this will be
better to manage.
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