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Calling All Guide Dog Owners To Help Campaign For More Money Under The DLA

Author: The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association
Posted: Wednesday 25th October, 2006. 00:00:00

Guide Dogs are working with RNIB and Action for Blind People on a campaign calling for all blind and partially-sighted people to be eligible to claim more money under the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Currently, blind and partially-sighted people can claim financial support through the DLA. The DLA consists of a care component and a mobility component.

Blind and partially-sighted people are only eligible to claim the lower rate mobility allowance, not the higher-rate, even though sight-loss, together with often inaccessible transport systems and streets, means it is often very difficult to move around independently.

The campaign was launched on 8th August with the publication of a report highlighting the difficulties faced by blind and partially sighted people because they are only able to claim the lower-rate mobility payment. We have to convince MPs of the real difference an increase from £16.50 per week to £43.45 per week would make to the quality of your lives.

With your help and support we want to lobby MPs and civil servants to push for the eligibility criteria to be amended so you can claim the higher-rate mobility payment.

We need you to:
Write to your MP in October about the campaign, telling them about your experiences of claiming the lower-rate mobility payment.
Ask your MP to sign an Early Day Motion supporting the campaign.
Ask your MP to come along to the Lobby of Parliament on 4th December 2006.
Come along yourself to the Lobby of Parliament.

For more information and a campaign pack please contact the RNIB Campaign Hotline on 0207 3912123.

Guide dog training started in 1931 in the UK. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was founded in 1934 to provide welfare for blind and partially-sighted people, including the training and provision of guide dogs. Guide Dogs’ mission today is to provide guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

Guide Dogs relies entirely on voluntary donations and legacies from the public. Find out more about Guide Dogs

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