Hope Valley Access Group

Hope Valley Access Group is one of many access groups operating throughout the country. We work alongside representatives from the Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living; High Peak CVS; Social Services; High Peak Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council; Peak National Park, and other agencies to promote the full and equal participation of disabled people.

Contact Details

Chair: Mrs Alison Salmen; Tel 01433 620 503, Email: ali.salmen@btinternet.com

Treasurer: Mr Steve Bond, Community Education Office, Hope Valley College. Tel: 01433 620662

Our Bi-monthly meetings are held at Caroline Court, Marsh Avenue, HOPE, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. The venue is fully accessible and transport is provided.

Projects

Accessibility of Accommodation in the Hope Valley - Click to see the Guide

Elderly and Disabled Use of Computers

Nature of Area

Geographically, the Hope Valley is a rural area - beautiful countryside and pretty villages, yet social exclusion exists, and thus it could be argued that this is an area with special needs. Research has been carried out into the problems of rural deprivation. It illustrated that the level of services and ability to access services was well below that for most areas in the UK.

Hope Valley Access Group has been in existence for twelve years. It is a vibrant group, led by disabled people. We are embarking on a series of campaigns to raise awareness surrounding the obstacles those with disabilities encounter when attempting to access services.

By campaigning for accessibility to our environment, it will improve facilities and opportunities for all members of the community. It will enable disabled people to become actively involved in society; and thus improve their quality of life and well-being.

Aims/Objectives

1. Hope Valley Access Group will work to enable disabled people gain equality of access to all services and facilities within the Hope Valley.

2. To improve facilities and opportunities for ALL members of society, to enable them to become fully involved in the life of the community.

3. To promote awareness of access problems.

4. To campaign locally and nationally for improved facilities; and access to services. Easier Access for disabled people means easier access for ALL.

5. Inclusive to all is our campaign, to make changes subtly and not tokenistically, but to recommend the best adaptations, and offer solutions, thereby, avoiding the ghettoizing disabled access so that it looks “Exclusive”.

By addressing the needs of disabled people it will also benefit non-disabled people, for example, older people and families with small children, and thus ensure a socially inclusive and sustainable community.

We Also Offer

1. Advice, information and guidance with regards to access issues, stressing in particular the accessibility of services. The DDA is addressing these issues and the legislation will assist in removing these barriers. The members of Hope Valley Access are aware of the new laws and the scope of the legislation - reasonableness. They will monitor the situation, and continue to campaign for a truly inclusive society.

2. Support for people experiencing difficulties with regards to access issues.