Dear List Members
I am forwarding the enclosed as the issues raised are particularly
important for disabled people in the UK.
------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: "Info" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Will Bee" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Colin B" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Sharon" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Tom Shakespeare" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Kaz" <[log in to unmask]>,
"Alison Sheldon" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: DRC -Hand's Off DET
Date sent: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 21:26:59 -0000
Organization: Inclusive Practice
http://www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=52
DRC -Hand's Off DET
THE PETITION
The UK's Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is in the process of tendering
for a DRC-based Disability Equality Training (DET) project. The tender
outlines 3 Strands of the Project: A training video, hand-outs etc and a
train the trainers course. The DRC have confirmed that non-disabled people
will be included in Strand 3 and the tender details fail to mention the
Social Model of Disability at all. Certain training organisations and some
individuals -selected by an unknown and unaccountable criteria- were
invited to tender on 22nd November with a closing date of 30th November
(later identified as an admin error and extended to 11th December).
Short-listed bidders will be interviewed on 21st December 2000. It is
confirmed that this unseemly rush is due to the DRC staff member
responsible wanting to sort it all out before he takes his holiday in
January. The DRC have not conducted any consultation with disabled people
and their organisations as to how DET should be used and by whom it is
delivered. DET is a fundamental tool in our fight for inclusion as equal
and respected members of the community, it is a training programme
initiated and developed by disabled people and, due to our belief that it
should only be delivered by disabled trainers, can truly be said to be
owned by disabled people. Yet the DRC held no consultation to discover our
opinions, asked not those who daily deliver DET and did not even advertised
this tender on its own website until after the initial closing date had
passed. The Wales Association of Disability Equality Trainers (WADET) is a
long-established support and development organisation of DE Trainers in
Wales with an esteemed track record of innovation and high standards. We
call upon ALL DE Trainers and our allies to show solidarity and challenge
the DRC's disempowering attitude towards disabled people and their
organisations by signing this petition.
DESIRED OUTCOME
WADET does not endorse the Disability Rights Commission setting standards
for Disability Equality Training -we do not believe the DRC has the mandate
to do so. WADET believes the DRC must immediately call a halt to the tender
for their DET project, as it has not been consulted upon in an appropriate
manner. Furthermore, WADET insists that the DRC embark on a comprehensive
and fully accountable consultation to seek the views of DE Trainers,
disabled people and their organisations across the UK in order to fully
understand what DET is and how it should be used. This petition closes on
21st December and will be submitted to David Sindall on or as near to that
date as possible. Please spread notice of this URGENT petition across the
networks. Sincere thanks, Mik Standing Chair, WADET
WHO WE NEED TO INFLUENCE
David Sindall, Head of Practice Development, The Disability Rights
Commission, 2nd Floor, Arndale House, The Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3AQ
HOW LONG WILL WE CAMPAIGN
21st December 2000
WHO TO CONTACT
Mik Standing, Chair, Wales Association of Disability Equality Trainers, 029
20860590
e-mail - [log in to unmask]
------- End of forwarded message -------
________________End of message______________________
Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List
are now located at:
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
|