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As a representative of disabled people, Wendy Dibdin MBE is only too aware of the challenges they face and the need to ensure that due consideration is given and their needs taken into account in all aspects of service delivery.
So Wendy, how did you first become involved in the Network?
As someone with an impairment for over thirty years now, I have always been very active in Greenwich, voicing the concerns and issues disabled people face. I am a founder member of Greenwich Association of Disabled People (GAD) and as such I have been very active in campaigning and providing an all round service and environment for disabled people of Greenwich.
Becoming involved with the network therefore seemed an obvious progression for my work. As I already had extremely good links with groups and organisations relating to disabled people in Greenwich, I felt I would be well suited as the Representative of Disabled People within the Network. Through these links I am well placed to ensure the voice of the disabled community is heard on the Greenwich Partnership Board.
What are your main interests in your work?
My main area of work revolves around representing disabled people and ensuring their needs are catered for and considered as Greenwich develops as a borough. This means the environment is safe, fully accessible and disabled people can live in a community where they are respected and treated in the same way as other members of the community. Furthermore, I would like to see disabled children in mainstream education so that they have the same opportunities as other children to blossom and integrate in full active lives.
What groups or official bodies are you involved in?
I am involved in the following:
- Greenwich Partnership advisor on Disability
- Advisor on Disability to the Bishop of Southwark
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Trust PPI
- Diverse Health in Greenwich
- School Governor in Greenwich
- Greenwich College Corporation member
- Diversity Steering Group at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Representing disabled people on the current development of O2 (the conversion of the Dome)
- Sing in a local choir
You obviously work with a large range of people — what have been some of your highlights so far?
I was one of four people nationally to trial run the Direct Payments scheme for Care Packages. I became involved in training professionals and promoting the scheme from the start. Since I started this work, Greenwich has become one of the best boroughs nationally for take up of the scheme.
Another highlight are the frequent invitations I receive and often accept to train or speak around the country. Since Greenwich is a leader in providing services for disabled people groups are often interested to hear about life styles and opportunities for Disabled People within the borough.
I was also proud to represent the borough and disabled people on the barge with the Queen on Millennium night. I was presented to the Queen as one of the individuals responsible for advising on access for disabled people visiting and experiencing the Dome.
In 2002 I received an MBE for services to Disabled People in the London Borough of Greenwich in recognition of the work I do in GAD and other organisations. This work continues to this day.
With so much good work already done, what are you looking forward to in the future?
On the whole, the work I do is aimed toward creating a truly inclusive Greenwich where disabled people are seen as equals and can participate on level terms with everyone else, enabling them to live a fulfilled and happy life. My work in the future therefore will be aimed toward turning this vision into a reality.
Since Greenwich is a leader in providing services for disabled people I hope that the practices and policies we have developed can become an international example of best practice.
Finally, what role do you feel the Greenwich Community Network can play in Greenwich?
I feel the Network can encourage people, both non-disabled and disabled, to become more aware and accepting of the needs of all the community. It can help the community become tolerant of change and help people understand why there is a need for change.