Excellent Darryl
Jane Simpson
RIBA & NRAC Consultant
T: 01484 423501
M: 07777 607239
www.janesimpsonaccess.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Darryl Smith
Sent: 17 September 2014 16:00
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----------
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Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
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----------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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