The DWP has released their latest statistics about benefit claims. 

A mixed bag, but there are some standout figures which are difficult to explain, most notably the fact that fewer than one third of new PIP claims are successful. 

This is a continuing trend, which has seen monthly declines in the percentage of successful claims, from 42% when the award was first introduced.

More on the numbers here

 

11 million of us live with deafness or hearing loss, which can make travelling a bit of a challenge. Railway station announcements are notorious for being hard to decipher at the best of times!

But rail services have been working on a range of solutions to improve the situation.

More information here

 

I was tempted to include this simply for the uplifting effect of the glorious picture on a cold grey January morning!

But more importantly, the Disabled Sailors Association is looking for 1000 wheelchair users who would be interested in sailing such a magnificent craft, with full wheelchair access to all controls.

More details here

 

The final webinar in CASCAIDr's valuable series on the Care Act is coming up on 30 January.

Appropriately, it is focused on how to complain. I know from my inbox that many people have issues - frequently serious - with their local authority when it comes to care needs assessments and provision of services.

Rather than simply feeling helpless and overwhelmed, you can arm yourself with crucial information about complaints, legal remedies and compensation, for the very modest sum of £15.

Find out more here

  

New figures taken from the Health Survey for England show still-increasing rates of obesity. Currently, a quarter of the population is classified as obese.

We hear a lot about the impact this has on health, but very little concerning the problems it can cause with personal hygiene.

A standard toilet is designed for a user within a standard size and shape range. Outside these parameters, problems can arise. Closomat is addressing them with their bariatric shower toilet.

Read more here

 

Foundations, the umbrella body for Home Improvement Agencies, has launched this year's National Healthy Housing Awards. 

With several new categories included, they would like to see entries from a wider range of roles, and project nominations from across the sector, demonstrating the vital difference that is being made.

Read more here

 

Don't forget that you can apply to join the Independent Living Facebook group, if you would like to spend more time discussing these themes with other interested people. 

There are various ways you can get in touch with us: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

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Until next week, thank you for reading and best wishes,

Frances