some good points here
Liz
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From: "Darryl Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 4:00 PM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Scope is setting up a list of trusted DET and access
consultants
> Interesting discussion you've inadvertantly started here Graham.
>
> Over the years I've experienced great training delivered by disabled and
> non disabled trainers. I've had my fair share of the reverse too. The way
> I've always understood it is that Disability Equality Training needs (in
> part at least) to be delivered by disabled people where as disability
> awareness training at least needs to be delivered by someone who knows
> what they're talking about.
>
> Whenever colleages and I have delivered inclusive design training, it is
> very much a partnership. "Partners" may belong to a local access
> group/organisation or sometimes they may not. Some are technically
> competent, some are strong advocates of people with their particular
> condition and have very little knowledge of other people's access needs or
> design standards, others have a powerful story to tell which challenges
> professionals to recognise the consequences of poor
> design/practice/attitudes. Some have received direct renumeration, many
> more have volunteered their time and their organisation may have been
> given renumeration. Others, see their involvement as meeting a
> commissioning requirement for their funding, others simply want to
> volunteer their experience. All are valued!
>
> The key driver is meeting the training need and hopefully making sure this
> is delivered to a good standard in an interactive/inclusive way.
>
> Re Access consultancy and auditing: My concerns mirror some of the other
> comments: Where is the quality check? who is doing the checking? Do they
> have a pan -disability/inclusive design experience? Who carries the
> professional indemnity?? -- I have seen examples where individual disabled
> people have been "set -up" as experts in access but have little or no
> knowledge of inclusive design standards and principles. Consequently poor
> decisions ensue and guess who gets the blame?
>
> There are some excellent access professionals who would consider
> themselves disabled. There are also excellent access professionals who
> would consider that they are not. Their message is still valid. Perhaps
> the way is to support/encourage more disabled people (through your
> contacts) to go through the NRAC registering process? At least this way
> you will have risk-managed the situation, created a group of technical
> experts who are also disabled people and who could command a fee
> commensurate with their technical know-how.
>
> A little diversion... A number of years ago I was invited to participate
> in a panel discussion on "inclusive design". I remember a question from
> one of the audience to each of the panel members.." Are you speaking from
> the point of view of being a disabled person?" At the time each panel
> member gave their answer (I think everyone said "no" and everyone felt
> slightly uncomfortable afterwards. The question had had what I perceive to
> be the desired effect and allowed the protagonist to be dismissive of
> anything the panel members said however insightful their comments may have
> been. I have occassionally wondered how each panel member might have
> responded if they had the opportunity again..? " ..Yes... does that
> validate what I am saying now?".. or perhaps a curt "none of your
> business" from someone who doesn't want to out themselves as a person with
> a mental health condition. Sadly, I've fantasised about what I might say
> now.. "I have over twenty years experience as an access professional, 10
> more in other related professions. I am a parent, I was a carer when I was
> a teenager, there is history of mental health issues in my family (I am a
> member of the one in four as well as the one in three), I have had a
> reasonable amount of injuries and have had occassion to use crutches, wear
> slings, be on traction etc, I struggle to hear what's been said in a noisy
> pub, I work with disabled people on a daily basis most recently
> facilitating the voice of people with learning disabilities so they have
> real voices and choices. I have years of experience in pan equality
> issues, I have vast experience of community engagement, the ol' bones are
> a lot more creeky now and I suspect that quite soon I might meet the legal
> definition of a disabled person..... To answer the question more
> succinctly.. today I didn't feel disabled ..until now!"
>
> Just a few ramblings...
> Darryl
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Graham Robert Findlay
> Sent: 16 September 2014 12:32
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Scope is setting up a list of trusted DET and access consultants
>
> Hello,
>
> I've been an Accessibuilt member for many years and now work for the
> disability charity Scope as Relationship Management Executive for Disabled
> Peoples Organisations (DPOs).
>
> At Scope, we're sometimes asked by companies we work with whether we can
> provide DET and/or access consultancy services for them. Since 2010, we
> have not provided this kind of service as we recognise the excellent work
> DPOs and disabled consultants already do in this area. So in future, we
> would like to use these occasions as opportunities to introduce companies
> and appropriate DPOs/access auditors/consultants with direct experience of
> disability.
>
> With a view to this, we are now inviting DPOs and consultants who are
> interested in joining our list of trusted providers to work with our
> corporate partners when opportunities arise.
>
> Although we anticipate that any work would be negotiated between the DPO
> and the client, we do want to offer companies some assurance on the
> quality and type of delivery, including the following.
>
> * We would expect any DET training to be delivered by a suitably qualified
> disabled person who has a sound knowledge and understanding of the social
> model of disability.
> * We would not expect a DET training programme to include any simulation
> training.
> * Any technically-oriented service, like access auditing, would require
> evidence of technical competence.
>
> What's in it for me?
>
> * Opportunities to work with big companies and build new client networks
> when they arise.
> * Direct remuneration for your services.
>
> What happens next?
>
> * If you are interested, please get in touch as soon as possible.
> * We will send you further information about how the scheme works and a
> list of criteria we expect you or your organisation to meet in order to
> provide assurance to our corporate partners.
> * If you meet the criteria, we will then add you to our list of trusted
> providers.
>
>
> Interested? Please email Graham Findlay, Relationship Management Executive
> (Disabled People's Organisations) for further details:
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Many thanks, and look forward to hearing from you.
>
> ----------End of Message----------
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, teaching and consultancy:
> http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
>
> ----------End of Message----------
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, teaching and consultancy:
> http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
>
----------End of Message----------
Run by SURFACE for more information on research, teaching and consultancy:
http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
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