www.alltogethernow.org.uk
June/July 2006
All Together Now!
23
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Teacher joy at court’s decision
BENEFITS Your guide to what help is available
A TEACHER who faced discrimination at work from Nottinghamshire County Council because of her sight loss has won £196,000 in compensation. In July 2004, the Court of Appeal ruled that Gaynor Meikle, a secondary school teacher with over 30 years’ experience, was constructively dismissed and should have received full pay, not sick pay, when her sight deteriorated. The compensation follows that landmark legal ruling. Mrs Meikle’s case was supported by the Disability Rights Commission. She said: “I hope that both the legal judgement and the extent of damages I’ve received will mean that disabled people do not have to face this kind of blatant discrimination in future. “However, I am very sad at the way Nottingham County Council has responded to the judgement by not apologising and not making clear this won’t happen to other employees.” Chris Benson, senior legal officer, at the Disability Rights Commission said: “All her employer needed to do was enlarge the font size of her teaching materials so that Mrs Meikle could read them. “Not doing so has meant losing a valuable member of staff and a lengthy and costly legal process.”
New Benefits applicable until April 2007 DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE £62.25 Higher rate: Middle rate: £41.65 Lower rate: £16.50 Mobility Component Higher rate: £43.45 Lower rate: £16.50 ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE Higher rate: £62.25 £41.65 Lower rate:
INCAPACITY BENEFIT Long term: *Earning Threshold up to
£78.50 £81.00
INDUSTRIAL DISABLEMENT BENEFITS Disablement Pension 100%: £127.10 Statutory Sick Pay: £70.05 Earning Threshold: £84.00 Carer’s Allowance: £46.95
Beat that! Chris’s dream police job C
£84.25
SEVERE DISABLEMENT ALLOWANCE Basic rate: £47.45 Child Benefit-only/eldest child: £17.45 Other children: £11.70
Chris Dingsdale (left) patrols with Community Support Officer Adrian Beaumont
HRIS Dingsdale has always wanted to be a policeman. And now he has been given the chance to patrol the streets. Chris, who has learning disabilities, has been taken on as a police community volunteer in St Helens. “I love every bit of it, because I’ve always wanted to join the police,” says Chris, 20, who helps with the town’s community speedwatch project. “Community Speedwatch addresses speeding motorists, particularly in residential areas,” Chris said. “One driver I spotted was doing 50mph in a 30mph limit, but most people slow down when they see the police officers and CSOs – it’s great to make a difference.” Chris’s mum, Yvonne, is delighted. She said: “He came back buzzing after the first day. “I’m so proud of him, not only because he
RETIREMENT PENSION
‘I love every bit of it. It’s great to make a difference’ had the courage to do it, but because his success means that others will get the chance too.” One of Chris’s pals, 19-year-old Liam Rouski, who also has learning disabilities, has been accompanying Chris and Greenbank community support officer Adrian Beaumont. “It feels like we’re doing something really worthwhile,” Liam said.
“Not only are we getting experience, we’re also helping the community, which feels good.” Chris and Liam have been helped by the Shaw Trust, which provides both work and training opportunities for disabled people. And Yvonne, an administration officer at St Helens Technical College, said she’s thrilled with Chris’s progress. “I was very worried about him at one time because he seemed to be going off the rails a bit, but it was sheer boredom of sitting around the house with nothing to do,” she said. “Shaw Trust has been brilliant for him and the work with Adrian has been wonderful. He’s really enjoying it and he’s got something to talk about at the end of the week.”
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MATERNITY ALLOWANCE Standard rate:
£108.85
STATUTORY MATERNITY PAY Standard rate: £108.85 STATUTORY PATERNITY PAY Standard rate: £108.85 INCOME SUPPORT PERSONAL ALLOWANCE Single under 18 - usual rate: £34.60 18-24: £45.50 25 and over: £57.45 Couple Both under 18 - responsible for a child: £68.65 One or both 18 or over: £90.10 PREMIUMS Family:
£16.25
ENHANCED DISABILITY PREMIUM Single child rate: £11.95 Disabled child £18.13 Couple: £17.25 DISABILITY PREMIUM Single: £24.20 Couple: £34.95 Severe Disability Single person qualifies: £46.75 Couple both qualify: £93.50 Disabled child: £45.08 PENSIONER Couple: £83.95 Carer: £26.35 Bereavement: £26.80 PENSION CREDIT Standard minimum guarantee Single: £114.05 Couple: £174.05