| UK Council on Deafness | |
| [home] [search this site] [about us] [members] [news] [press area] [events] [publications] [campaigning] [consultations] [deaf awareness week] [grants] [affiliation] [contact] |
In this Bulletin
2007 Annual Deafness Conference
UCU Conference Centre, Britannia Street, Kings Cross, London.
6th November 2007
The Fourth Annual Deafness Conference 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. Delegates at previous Annual Conferences have commented:
“A great networking opportunity and a chance to learn about new projects”
“Opportunity to meet and chat with other people from the sector. Get updates on other activities. Chance to publicise our own work”
“Great to hear about all that UK Council on Deafness and their members are doing. Encouragement and enthusiasm to take things forward in our area and determination to network and co-work more with other organisations”
Primary Presentations
Supporting Presentations
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
For further information or to book your place please visit the website at www.deafcouncil.org.uk or contact Clare Long on c.long@deafcouncil.org.uk
Exhibitors confirmed so far include:
· Sign
· Deaf Parenting UK
· CACDP
· The Ear Foundation
· Association of Lipspeakers
· Ewing Foundation
Delegate Fees
Standard Rate: £95
Affiliate Organisations: £75
Member Organisations: £45
The UK Council on Deafness AGM will take place during the lunch-break.
[back to top]
During October we will be holding elections for four places on the UK Council on Deafness Board of Trustees. Nomination papers will be sent out to the official representatives of member organisations during September.
[back to top]
Discrimination against deaf people by the NHS – call for evidence
Since December 2006, there has been a new legal duty on all public sector organisations to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. The Disability Equality Duty (DED) covers the full range of what public sector organisations do – including policy making and services that are delivered to the public. People who work in the public sector have to consider the impact of their work on disabled people, and take action to tackle disability inequality. This should mean that disabled people have better employment opportunities and do not come across discrimination when, for example, using a service. It should also help promote positive attitudes towards disabled people in everyday life. Since 4 December 2006, public authorities have had to publish a 'Disability Equality Scheme' which must include: a statement of how disabled people have been involved in developing the scheme; an action plan that includes practical ways in which improvements will be made; the arrangements in place for gathering information about how the public sector organisation has done in meeting its targets on disability equality.
Despite this legal duty we are continuing to receive reports from across the country about continuing discrimination against deaf people by NHS organisations.
We are compiling a report to present to the NHS detailing this discrimination and would welcome any examples that could be included in the report. So that it is as up to date as possible incidents of discrimination must have occurred since December 2006. Please send to j.isaac@deafcouncil.org.uk
[back to top]
Access to Communication in English Report Recommendations
The ACE Report Recommendation 5 states: Service Providers to widen the scope of their community language interpreting services to include the provision of all language and communication access services for deaf people.
Those Service Providers that have been positive towards deaf people by including sign language as one of the languages of community access should also include other types of language and communication access services as well. It is equally important for a deaf person whose preferred language is English to get access to information, particularly in a legal or health domain.
Member organisations that are negotiating service level agreements to provide communication access services are reminded to require that the contract covers all the different types of language and communication services that deaf people use.
[back to top]
Induction loops make a huge difference for many hearing aid users. They can help reduce or even cut out background noise, helping the listener to hear sounds far more clearly. However, surveys and regular feedback shows that many induction loops in public places don’t work properly, some loops aren’t turned on, staff often don’t know how they work and regular checks aren’t carried out.
What RNID are doing: We're working to make sure that more public venues install induction loops and that they ensure their loops are working correctly. We're doing this by writing to leading retail stores, banks and building societies to tell them how important it is to have a loop system installed and working, with staff trained to use it.
What you can do: RNID would like to hear from you. Tell us about the worst offenders on your local high street. Which shops say they have an induction loop but never switch it on? Which business has a loop but no staff who know how to use it? Send your story to campaigns@rnid.org.uk
[back to top]
Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme Grants
The next application round for projects starting in April 2008 will open on Monday 17 September 2007. Funding will be available for up to three years. To register your interest please contact Roger Hewitt on r.hewitt@deafcouncil.org.uk
[back to top]
Mental Health and Deafness; Meeting the needs of Lipreaders.
The Association of Lipspeakers annual conference this year will focus on issues concerning access to mental health services for deaf people who lipread. The conference will take place on Saturday 17th November in central Birmingham. All are welcome. For further details please visit the ALS website at www.lipspeaking.co.uk or contact the information office on 01538 722482 (voice) or 01538 722442 (text & fax).
[back to top]
Learn to Sign Week
The British Deaf Association Learn to Sign Week is on 1st – 6th October 2007. For further details go to the campaign website at www.learntosign.org.uk
[back to top]
| [home] [search this site] [about us] [members] [news] [press area] [events] [publications] [campaigning] [consultations] [deaf awareness week] [grants] [affiliation] [contact] |
UK Council on Deafness, Registered Charity Number 1038448
Your use of this site is in accordance with our Privacy Statement
© UK Council on Deafness, 2003-5.
|
|
 |
 |