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Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations (DPULOs) have benefited from £509,124 of extra Government money, the Minister for Disabled People has announced recently.

These Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations run by and for disabled people, often provide support and services alongside those provided by the public sector. Drawing on their own first hand experience of disability, they have clear ideas about what works and what doesn’t.  

More than half a million pounds has now been paid out by the fund since the Strengthening DPULO Programme was launched in July 2011.

As well as offering financial support, the Strengthening DPULOs Programme provides DPULOs with support and advice on how to strengthen and make their organisations more sustainable through its ambassadors. 

61 applications for funding have been received from DPULOs across England, 41 of which have been successful.

Examples of how the Strengthening DPULO programme is making a difference to the lives of disabled people in the local community include:

• DASH, a DPULO in Hillingdon that supports disabled people in the local community through a ‘one stop shop’ service. The service will mean disabled people who are being assessed for equipment by an occupational therapist can have their prescription redeemed a few doors down the corridor in the organisation’s office.
• Mutual Support, a DPULO in Sheffield, is using its funding to develop a range of services that disabled people can purchase using their personal budgets, such as travel support and advice when buying personal care equipment. This will give local disabled people with specific impairments such as mental health conditions, or learning difficulties the option to influence the type of support and personal care they want to receive.
• Communication for Blind People is another DPULO that is developing a smartphone app to provide remote help to blind travellers who are lost, or in difficulty, as well as providing a GPS and speech function to inform the traveller of their location. The app will explain where to get off public transport and when they arrive at their destination. This will support blind people nationwide to travel safely outside their home.

Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, said:

“I am delighted the Strengthening DPULO programme is successfully promoting the growth and improving sustainability of Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations, as well as making practical real improvements to the lives of disabled people and their communities.

“We have already awarded more than half a million pounds, but a large amount of the £3 million funding remains, so I would encourage more DPULOs to now apply. In particular bids would be welcomed from the Midlands, and East of England.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Strengthening DPULOs Programme was launched on 20 July 2011. More information about the programme – including the Ambassadors and the Facilitation Fund – can be found at: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme and http://www.facebook.com/dpulos as well as on Twitter using the hashtag #dpulo
• The Facilitation Fund was co-produced with DPULOs and is a discretionary, flexible fund tailored specifically to DPULOs.
• To find out more about your local Ambassador and to get in touch with them, please visit http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/odi-projects/user-led-organisations/ambassadors.php 

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