UK Council on Deafness

October 2009 Bulletin

In this bulletin:

A Note from Susan Daniels, Chair of UKCoD
UKCoD & Sense Conference December 2009
Welcome to our new Affiliated members
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) reduces fees
THE LAW IS CHANGING TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
Deaf Direct Open Day
The Ear Foundation - Marjorie Sherman Memorial Lecture 2009
ITV’s Signed Stories
Advocacy Open Day
National Schools Film Week

A Note from Susan Daniels, Chair of UK Council on Deafness

Dear Members

I am pleased to attach our Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 30th April 2009. As you are aware it has been a difficult year for UKCOD but the Board has worked tirelessly to ensure that despite the impact of the financial climate, that the Council is placed on a firm financial footing.

Our AGM will take place on 9^th December alongside the joint UKCoD & Sense Conference “Ageing with Sensory Loss – maintaining independence, maximising choice” and I look forward to seeing you then.

Annual Report & Accounts (pdf)

Kind regards
Susan

UK Council on Deafness & Sense Conference
Ageing with Sensory Loss – maintaining independence, maximising choice

Venue:  The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA.
Date:    Wednesday, 9th December 2009
Time:    10.00am Registration
            10.30am Conference commences
             3.00pm Tea/Coffee and depart

This conference will be jointly hosted by UKCoD and Sense. There will be a range of speakers from across the sector looking at the issues surrounding ageing with sensory loss. In the morning we will be concentrating on setting the scene, and discussing the problems people face from hearing and sight loss as they get older. In the afternoon there will be a number of short sessions showing a range of solutions that can help people to maintain their independence.

Members of UKCoD are invited to attend the UKCoD AGM that will be held at lunch time, and there will be a number of exhibitors to visit during the coffee and lunch break. It is an opportunity for all professionals working with deaf people to meet and network with colleagues and to gain a greater understanding of developments taking place across the country and across the spectrum of deafness.

Presentations include:

The programme is provisional and is subject to change. Latest details always available on the UK Council on Deafness website at www.deafcouncil.org.uk

Conference Chair - John Adams, Chair of the Department of Healh's Third Sector and Social Enterprise Sounding Board & UKCoD Trustee

Hidden Crisis – Emma Harrison, Director of External Affairs, RNID
RNID talks about their recent report Hidden Crisis and why millions keep quiet about hearing loss. RNID outlines how routine NHS checks could motivate people to address hearing loss early – preventing them feeling ‘cut off’ from friends and family and developing depression.

Fill in the Gaps – Sue Brown from Sense
A brief backward glance at their recent successful 3 year campaign called "Fill in the Gaps" which raised awareness of the needs of older Deafblind people among groups of professionals and a look at how sensory loss will be included in the DWP ageing strategy, Building a Society for all Ages.

Aging problems - old solutions - Mike Brace, CEO of Vision 2020

Communication Support – Kath Phipps, RNID
Kath Phipps will be talking about on-going work in developing access to communication support in English for deaf people who have become deaf.

Assistive technology – Richard Lucas, Health, Care and Social Inclusion Manager, Action for Blind People
An overview of entry level equipment for older people with sensory loss, and how they can find out about / source such items.

Low tech – high impact – Liz Duncan from Sense.

User Perspective – Liz Duncan from Sense
A video montage presentation of users talking about their experiences

How to Book:
If you would like to book your place please complete and return the booking form (word doc) or contact Clare Long at c.long@deafcouncil.co.uk

Delegate Fees are as follows:

Standard    £95.00
Affiliate     £75.00
Member    £45.00

If you would like to Exhibit at this event please contact Clare Long at c.long@deafcouncil.org.uk or complete the attached booking form (word doc)

Welcome to our new Affiliated members:

Signamic Limited
Unit 34 St Olav's Court
Lower Road
Canada Water
London
SE16 2XB
Contact: Stuart Anderson, Director
Website: www.signamic.co.uk

Synamic Limited are a dynamic training company specialising in advanced level British Sign Language (BSL), English and Interpreting training.

States of Jersey Adults & Children's Social Services
Adult and Children’s Social Services for dDeaf and Hard of Hearing People
Hearing Resources Centre
Westmount Road
St Helier JE1 3UH
Contact: Angela Goddard, Senior Practioner
Tel 443094
Fax 443095
Minicom textphone 443037 (this is NOT a fax line)
SMS 07797 831 841
Email a.goddard@health.gov.je

Provides social work support, development of services in consultation with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, service users, voluntary and public services and communication support.

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) reduces fees

With effect from 1st October 2009 the CRB has reduced the fee charged for Standard Disclosures from £31 to £26 and will apply throughout the remainder of 2009/10. However, please note that there are slight changes to the way that you will apply for CRB checks as of 12th October 2009 :-

The new ISA barred lists take effect
A check of these lists is only available as part of an Enhanced CRB check (see future changes below re ISA registered)
Standard CRB checks (£26.00) are no longer available for posts working with children and vulnerable adults. For positions involving work with children and vulnerable adults, individuals should apply for an Enhanced CRB check (£36.00)
There is a new duty for employers, social services and proffessional regulators to refer information to the ISA - any information about individuals who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults MUST be referred to the ISA. Information on how to refer can be found here http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=379
Criminal penalties are effective - it will be a criminal offence for barred individuals to seek employment with vulnerable groups and also for any employers to knowingly permit them to engage in Regulated Activity.
The PoVAFirst service is renamed 'ISA Adult First'. The new website address will be www.crb.gov.uk/isaadultfirst

THE LAW IS CHANGING TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

From 12 October 2009, new measures will be introduced to help prevent unsuitable people from undertaking paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults. The poster below gives a brief awareness of what changes are going to be made.

For Employers and Volunteer Organisations please see http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=315 for more detailed information on the changes being phased in.

A Guidance booklet can be downloaded in pdf format here http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/PDF/VBS_Guidance.pdf

For further information about the VBS, ISA-registration, please visit www.isa-gov.org.uk

Deaf Direct are holding their Open Day on Saturday 14th November 2009 from 10.00am until 4.30pm and it will be held at The Guild Hall, 2 High Street, Worcester, WR1. There you will be able to socialise and meet staff, visit stands from Deaf Direct and other local organisations, Sign Language taster classes, presentations and information, Drama/Learn to sign Youth Activities (pre-book), Deaf Peoples forum at 2pm with Speaker Michael Foster MP.For further details please contact Amanda at the Worcester office on: minicom 01905 746300, voice 01905 746301, Fax 01905 746305, Text 07725244128 or email info@deafdirect.org.uk

The Ear Foundation - Marjorie Sherman Memorial Lecture 2009

Given by Dr Patricia Chute
Cochlear Implant Conundrums: Is it the map, the equipment, the services or the child?
Thursday 12 November at 5.30pm

Free Event

The Ear Foundation is delighted that Dr Pat Chute has accepted its invitation to give this year’s Marjorie Sherman Memorial Lecture, which is in memory of our late President and first Patron, Mrs Sherman. The lecture is being held here at The Ear Foundation, on Thursday 12 November at 5:00 pm for 5:30 pm. We do hope that you can join us for this lecture which will also be broadcast via the web kindly facilitated by Phonak.Dr. Chute has contributed to The Ear Foundation’s education programme since 1992 and is a Professor and Dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry New York. Dr. Chute’s research has focused on children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss as well as the educational needs of deaf children. She is known both nationally and internationally for her work in this area and organizes workshops around the globe to train speech, hearing and educational professionals.

The lecture is free and starts at 5.30pm, with tea and coffee served from 5pm, and will end by 7pm.

To register to attend the lecture at The Ear Foundation please simply respond to this email or register via our website where you can see more information about the lecture http://www.earfoundation.org.uk/education/articles/511If you are unable to attend The Ear Foundation in person, you can listen to the lecture "live" on-line through the good services of Phonak by clicking on http://www.hearingseminars.com/pchute/ and entering as a Guest.

ITV’s Signed Stories was highly commended at the IVCA Clarion Awards – please click here to see press release (pdf). For more information please email signedstories@itv.com or call 08448815220.

Advocacy Open Day

New Advocacy Course Launched http://www.bda.org.uk/Advocacy_Open_Day-i-602.html

The BDA has partnered with "Definitely! Training & Advocacy Ltd" to provide 2 City & Guilds accredited advocacy-training courses. The "Certificate in Independent Advocacy" and the "Diploma in Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy." The course is open to any person who currently works as an advocate or who is just starting out in the field. Applications will also be accepted from people working in other areas who feel that advocacy training would enhance their current role.

Come along to our Advocacy Open Day on Saturday 24th October (10am - 4pm) at Warrington Deaf Centre, 13 Wilson Patten Street, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1PG and find out more about the new City & Guilds accredited advocacy training courses.

The course will start on 28th November 2009.

For any enquiries or more information contact Dionne Lawrie on:
Email:dionnel@bda.org.uk
Textphone: 05603 115295
Telephone: 01772 259725

The UK leads the world in accessible' cinemaMost popular cinemas now have facilities to screen the latest films with subtitles and audio description for people with hearing or sight loss.

Click on this link for screenings in your area http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/index.2.html

National Schools Film Week (NSFW) provides teachers and their students the opportunity to see a wide range of films at local cinemas entirely free-of-charge.This year is the 14th annual festival and promises to bring you even more films in even more locations than ever before. From major urban centres to small towns, NSFW extends education into local cinemas, giving teachers the opportunity to use the power of film to cover many different subjects.The festival is available to any school.

Click on the following link for subtitled screenings in your areas during this festival http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/nsfw.09.all.html

Please send information for the next Bulletin, by 30 September 2009, to:
UK Council on Deafness, Westwood Park, London Road, Little Horkesley, Colchester, CO6 4BS.
Email: info@deafcouncil.org.uk

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You can find our vision, mission, aim and objectives. The history of the Council and details of how we are governed, our board of trustees and how we are funded.

We have 102 member organisations listed in our Members Directory. There are many benefits of membership and it is very easy to join.

We produce a monthly bulletin and a weekly parliamentary report. The latest issues are available here along with an archive of recent issues.

Direct access to Press Releases, Contact details and Quick Facts for journalists.

We have a full diary of events planned for 2008. We run Conferences and Seminars which anyone can attend, and Special Interest Forums for our members.

We produce a number of Publications of interest to those who work with deaf people, including the Good Practice Guide, Setting up a Deaf Users' Forum and Proceedings from our Conferences.

Whether in Brussels, Westminster or in the devolved countries and regions, wherever decisions are being made that affect deaf people our members are lobbying for change. Ongoing campaigns that we are working with our members on include the Access to Communication in English, Promoting the use of British Sign Language and Access to Health Services.

Whenever government consults on proposed new legislation that affects deaf people we co-ordinate a joint response from our members.

We co-ordinate the national Deaf Awareness Week which was on 4th - 10th May 2009..

We are a national agent for the Department of Health Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme and distribute grants each year to deaf organisations. Details of how to apply and a list of the projects we are funding this year.

Organisations that do not qualify for membership can affiliate to the Council in order to access our information and support. There are different sections for Voluntary Organisations, the Public Sector and Corporate Sector. Affiliation is very easy and there are lots of benefits.

Contact us
UK Council on Deafness, Westwood Park, London Road, Little Horkesley, Colchester, CO6 4BS.
Telephone 01206 274075
Text 01206 274076
Fax 01206 274077
Or send us an Email info@deafcouncil.org.uk

"ACTION BY WORKING TOGETHER"