– This is the accompanying card for Tale, says Tone Solnørdal and pulls out a worn, laminated card. – That’s what we take with us when Tale goes to Pirbadet, to the cinema or to a concert. Then she gets two of her assistants with her, and can join in and do what she wants. This has been well used for many years, but will soon be retired. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news Tale is Solnørdal’s 14-year-old daughter. She has a severe degree of cerebral palsy, and therefore needs help for most things. With this companion card, she can take the help she needs with her without paying extra for it. But the card also presents some challenges. Because there is only one copy, and this must be shared between the family, the school, the accommodation and ten assistants in rotation. It goes without saying that it can be difficult to keep track of. There are many challenges they face on a daily basis, but soon forgetting the companion card is not one of them for Tone Solnørdal and his daughter Tale. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news – It will be a stressful moment, because there is a lot to think about when going out and doing things. It’s a bit like “oh my gosh, who was it again?”, says assistant Helga Ystad Derås. She is quite right to forget about the escort card, but she knows of several people in the profession who have experienced just that. – It is done quickly, and then it becomes expensive. Then it’s full price for two extra adults, says Solnørdal. – It goes beyond other things that you cannot afford. But life may soon become a little easier. Tale thinks it’s fun when the assistants fool around and joke with her. And so does assistant Helga. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news Always have your mobile with you From 1 January 2024, a solution with a digital companion card will be in place. Tenesta has been developed by KS Digitale joint services on behalf of the Directorate for Children, Youth and Families (Bufdir). – It is very motivating to work for digital solutions that can contribute to the citizens of Norway having a better everyday life, says daily manager of KS Digital community services, Sidsel Nordhagen. She shows an example of a digital escort card on her mobile phone. – It’s very nice to have it on your mobile, because you always have your mobile with you. Although it is up to each individual municipality whether they want to print digital companion cards, they must still be accepted throughout the country. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news The aim is for as many people as possible to connect, says Nordhagen, but at the same time it is up to the municipalities themselves to choose whether they want to use the solution. So far, a dozen municipalities have expressed their interest, including Molde, Bærum, Bergen, Bømlo and Trondheim. Debt approximately 50,000 In the latter, a unanimous city council has already decided to introduce the scheme as quickly as possible, following a proposal from Kjetil Utne in Høgre. – Trondheim has in many ways been a sink when it comes to services for people with functional impairments. Instead, we should lead the way and show how it can be done, says Utne. – I hope all other municipalities introduce this as quickly as possible – there is no reason not to do so. – We have waited long enough for this, says Kjetil Utne in Trondheim Høgre. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news Håvard Ravn Ottesen of the Disabled Parents’ Association (HBF) says that this service has been in demand for many years, and he expects that all municipalities in Norway will use it. – Around this country, there are approximately 50,000 people with escort cards. A digital companion card means that one can live life on an equal footing with others, without having to spend time looking for an old-fashioned, out-of-date card, says Ottesen. – It is high time that we become a bit modern for our group as well. – Now you can spend less time looking, and more time living, says Håvard Ravn Ottesen of the Disabled Parents’ Association (HBF). Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news Simple also for the municipalities The budget framework is NOK 5 million, which was already allowed by the government in 2019. Department director Anna Bjørshol in Bufdir explains that the basic work with testing and mapping needs has taken time, but after they gave assignment to KS earlier this year, things really accelerated. – We are very happy that this is now in place, says Bjørshol, and points out that it is not just the users who will benefit from the solution. – It will be easier for the municipalities to manage and have an overview of the companion card. – As a case manager in Bømlo has told, they spend an unnecessary amount of time on manual tasks. With this solution, they look forward to providing an even better service to their residents. Department director in Bufdir, Anna Bjørshol, hopes that this is a service many municipalities will adopt. Photo: Ida Yasin Andersen/news Considering burning the old Tone Solnørdal in Trondheim is happy to be able to use the digital card. – When we parents and the assistants can also get it on our phones, we have it available at any time, she says. – We don’t think about it being forgotten, we don’t think about whether we lose it. It’s one less thing to think about, and that’s a big improvement. – But what should they do with the physical companion card when they no longer need it? – No, say it. Either we hang it on the wall, or we burn it. Speech can decide, laughs Solnørdal. Although she has major physical challenges, Tale is an active girl. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news
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Introduces digital companion card from January 2024 – simpler weekdays for Tale (14) and the family – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
