Terms of Reference

Suffolk Disability and Health Action Group

The Suffolk Disability and Health Action Group is a Working Group of the Physical and Sensory Disabilities Partnership Group. The aim of the Group is to promote the good health of people with disabilities, raise awareness of their needs and initiate projects to enhance their lifestyle.

Terms of Reference

The Group will:

• Advise the Suffolk Strategic Partnership on issues affecting the health of people with disabilities through the Physical and Sensory Disabilities Partnership Group.

• Raise awareness and promote understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and identify priories for action.

• Acknowledge that people with disabilities may have specific requirements in terms of access, information, resources, equipment and assistance in order to live healthier lifestyle.

• Collaborate with organisations and associations to collate up to date, accurate and relevant information.

• Provide a forum for sharing examples of good practice and endorse approved projects and initiatives.

• Act as a catalyst to develop and disseminate resources and information to help people with disabilities and carers to make informed choices to improve their health.

• Seek funding and support for the development, production and distribution of appropriate materials.

• Provide an effective mechanism for lobbying organisations on behalf of people with disabilities and their carers.

• Liaise with partner organisations in order to promote the needs of people with disabilities and their carers to provide information and support as appropriate.

The membership of the Group will be drawn from people with physical and sensory disabilities, their carers, representatives of appropriate voluntary and statutory organisations.

A minimum of four meetings will be held per year.

Agreed by the Suffolk Disability and Health Action Group at their meeting on 26th September 2005. Agreed by the Physical and Sensory Disabilities Partnership Group at their meeting on 23rd November 2005.