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I have just got to put my two cents worth. I remember years ago when the concepts of affirmative action and political correctness first came out. From what I understood, those terms were to be taken in the spirit of giving disadvantaged groups a leg-up, a helping hand top give them access to positions and jobs they otherwise would be excluded from. But over the years, these terms have been hijacked and corrupted, and imbued with the idea that these disadvantaged groups are being given unfair advantage over the rest of us. That pisses me off. Because institutionalised racism, sexism, etc are being overlooked. I think in this day and age, "people" (and I use the term generally not specifically or necessarily, this group), people equate economic success with equality. Witness Gays and Lesbians. Because we have our own magazines, the odd TV show, Mardi Gras, Pride etc, etc, etc, people think all is hunky dory, as but one example. Or more to the point, the illusion that we have an anti-discrimination law, will put paid to all those age old prejudices and practices against disabled people. Not so. As became glaringly obvious from my days as a Personnel Officer back in Sydney, Australia. The "disabled" or "disadvantaged" person did not have the experience or enough of it. Meanwhile back in the work place, they are the last (often enough) to be advanced - training wise, to correct this inexperience. The taxation Office that I worked in had an equal employment policy. Sure enough Deafies were indeed employed - more so than any other Government department. But where do you think the majority of them were placed? In the processing section. That is Lodgements, where they were to open and sort and bundle and deliver these tax returns. Mere processing work baby. Even if you are like me, a Deafie with lots of useful hearing (with hearing aids of course), advancement can be a bar, because of the hoary old argument, "But how are you going to use the phone?" I have even interpreted for a deaf colleague who was applying for a promotion in a section that DID NOT require the use of the phone. the supervisor who was outlining the position, brought it this argument up. I'm sorry, but the concept of reasonable adjustment falls victim to money (there ain't none!) or We really can't be bothered, so we will put you in processing. The law is a collection of words. It's an ass. Not even a delectable piece at that. let us not forget that we are human beings, with minds of our own (wilful or otherwise). What one man intends is another mans objection (to use man generically, pls. forgive me). It really makes me angry when people talk about equality, yet forget or don't think about the fact, that we are not all equal. There is no such thing as a level playing field. Disability in what ever shape or form, even prejudice places all sorts of barriers in the way of this level playing field. I once had this conversation with a Hearing colleague. I was telling him about how Deafie should get into the movies for half the advertised price - even if they are offering discounts to all, we should get half of that as well. He disagreed saying, that we should pay the same. I said why, we aren't receiving the same. His reasoning was that if we wanted to be treated as equals, then we have to do the same as everybody else. There is no due thought given to the fact that we do not get back the same. If this was an ideal world, of course you can then argue that the best person for the job should be the overdoing principle. But this isn't an ideal world. Some affirmative action needs to be in place thank you very much. If it means a few hearing or abled people missing out on some choices jobs, well my heart bleeds for yer. As a Deafie, I have been insulted once too often with the spectacle of Hearing people who hold positions of power in deaf organisations and who 1) Do not mix in the Deaf community, 2) do not have much to do with deafness outside their jobs, 3) cannot even sign (this is the worse of the insults). Of course, the justification is that they have the skills to do the job, especially if it is an operational manager, a managerial, or fund-raising positions; and they are paid obscene salaries for status and position, while........ Sorry buddy, if an organisation is to advocate on behalf of a group of people, then you have to have representative of those same people in positions of power. Tony ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Want a degree from the University of Life? Then Talk,Sign &Create is the list for You! Join at - http://www.eGroups.com/list/talksigncreate/ Tell All Your Friends - About : http://www.eGroups.com/list/deaf-uk-jobs as well. Brought to you by Anthony Nicholas Deaf Man, SIGN! Productions %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%