TUDA News
May
2008 conference special
The Council
Chamber (5th Floor) 1pm Thursday 22nd May
TUDA Trade Union Charter for Disability Equality
This is an
opportunity to hear from unions who have signed up to the Charter, to ask questions
about the Charter, and to discuss how we can use the Charter to move towards
equality within our unions and the workplace. It is also an opportunity to give
your views on what trade unionsÕ priorities should be in working towards
Disability Equality.
Welcome — bring your lunch with
you!
TUDAÕs AGM
was a lively and well attended day, which covered a range of contemporary
issues in the disability movement.
Julie
Newman Chair of
UKDPC spoke about the challenges and changes confronting the organisations.
Liz
Sayce Chief
Executive of RADAR spoke more generally about key political issues for disabled
people. People think disability equality is
ÔdoneÕ. We DO have disability rights law – now we need to make it central
in new developments: 3 million new homes, future of social care, meeting
BritainÕs skills shortages, employment and child poverty targets, justiceÉÉ
For which
we need wider alliances e.g. on independent living – womenÕs and carersÕ
organisations, social care organisations, unions, and business. We need to: go
beyond the idea that disability led means ONLY disabled people involved; be at
decision-making tables; Scrutiny nationally and locally
Local
solutions e.g. challenging eligibility criteria Harrow, Lewisham. Influencing
housing, building control, transportÉA groundswell: disabled people and trade
unionists using DED and influence
Richard
Howitt MEP long
time disability campaigner spoke about recent developments in Europe – in
particular the prospect of a European Directive (law) banning disability
discrimination in goods and services – which will bolster some aspects of
our UK law – and spread rights throughout Europe
Henrietta
Spalding Head of
Professional Development, Changing Faces gave a fantastic talk on the problems
confronting workers with facial disfigurement – amazing how the barriers
are so similar for all disabled people – Prejudice is prejudice I guess.
In terms of support from the unions - it would be great if we could raise their
awareness of the challenges that workers with disfigurements face and how they
might help support individuals both through access to good information and
support e.g. through Changing Faces but also by encouraging employers to
develop best practice in terms of service delivery - again we can provide
guidance on this.
An
inspiring day – and great to have delegates from Scotland Northern
Ireland and all over England. Next year weÕll add in some Welsh delegates!
The
Government has just published the Independent Living Strategy. This is a
cross-departmental strategy.
The National Centre for Independent Living said in their press release
ÒNCIL believes the strategy contains an array of interesting ideas and measures
to tackle barriers to disabled peopleÕs equality and independenceÓ. The pan-departmental approach outlined
in the strategy is a welcome step forward bringing about equality of access for
disabled people in areas such as housing, education, employment, benefits,
leisure opportunities and health and social care support. However, NCIL is
disappointed that there is no commitment to legislation to guarantee disabled
people the right to reach their full potential as equal citizens.
The Office of Disability
Issues (ODI) is
holding a number of consultation events around the country so here are your
chance to say what you think about the Independent Living Strategy. Alternatively, the ODI will take
written, audio and spoken responses as well. There are two events that have been
organised: 4th June Brit Oval in London The Live Group Tel No: 0208
481 3317 Type talk: 1800-1020-84813317 Website:
livegroup.co.uk/independentliving Email address: odi.independentlivingconference@livegroup.co.uk
The consultation seeks views on how to involve disabled people in the
implementation and monitoring of the GovernmentÕs Independent Living Strategy.
For example, two possibilities are:
Respond
by: 20 June 2008. You can
respond by post or email:
Address: Independent Living Review, Office
for Disability Issues, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT Telephone:
0207 712 2845 Textphone:
0207 712 2032
There will be a lobby on
this strategy on 11th June at the House of Commons from 2-4. This will be
preceded by a rally outside Downing Street from 11 onwards. This is being co-ordinated
by our lives our choices. Key demands are for a legislative right to
independent living, an end to the current lottery of social care provision to
save DLA and Attendance Allowance.
The strategy includes pledges to: review charging against the disability
equality duty
remove disincentives in the benefits system to taking up public appointments
and initiatives to promote better understanding of independent living, boost
disabled peoples leadership and involvement and develop user led advocacy and
brokerage.
The radical reform
programme disabled people want is not included in the Human Rights Ratification
The UK Government is intending to ratify the UN Convention
but with reservations on a number of key areas. This is totally
unacceptable as it signals that the UK is committed to the
continuing abuse of our human rights.
A new petition has been set
up on the Downing Street website to address this issue at:
www.petitions.pm.gov.uk Please sign and circulate widely to your networks
Changing
Faces –
Henrietta Spalding talked to delegates at the TUDA AGM and Conference on the 26th
April, 2008.
Henrietta
Spalding head of professional development for Changing Faces – the way
you face disfigurement.
Henrietta explained that disfigurement is the generic term
¤
for
the aesthetic and/or functional
¤
effect
of scars, asymmetry, paralysis,
¤
surgery
on face, hands and body
¤
from
any cause
¤
birth
condition
¤
accident/trauma
¤
cancer
treatment
¤
eye
conditions
¤
skin
conditions
¤
facial
paralysis (including BellsÕ Palsy
Henrietta
informed us that The definition of disability under the Disability
Discrimination Act has been extended to include people with disfigurements as
it is recognised that society discriminates against them as much as any other
disabled person. In fact in many
cases Facial disfigurement is sometimes thought/assumed to be the very worst
thing that can happen – the face is, after all, where we look, express
our feelings, laugh, our fortuneÉMedical interventions (e.g. plastic surgery
after burns) can sometimes make disfigurement less conspicuous but it can
rarely be removed. This results in
everyday social encounters (making friends, going to shop, travelling on bus),
other peopleÕs reactions can vary from: Staring, Pity, Curiosity, Embarrassment,
Avoidance, and Name-calling, prejudice and discrimination. Individuals report many different
experiences - based on their
appearance, often they are treated badly and unfairly. These can include
¤
Inaccurate
assumption made at interview
¤
Under
/ unemployment
¤
Lower
expectations of performance by line managers
Lack
of opportunity of front line positions / promotion
¤
Colleagues
questions
¤
Negative
experiences – teasing, staring, questions, double-takes, names, exclusion
¤
Colleagues
behavioursÕ - ridicule, ostracism, abuse
Changing
Faces has designed and proven a Òliving withÉÓ package of Òdisfigurement
life-skillsÓ involving:
F FINDING
OUT
A ATTITUDE-BUILDING
C COUNSELLING
and ADVICE
E EXCHANGING
EXPERIENCES
S SOCIAL
INTERACTION SKILLS TRAINING
What can
employers do and how can trade unionists representatives help?
¤
Ensure
their staff are informed and engaged in the issues that people with disfigurement
face.
¤
Ensure
their staff are equipped to work confidently with people with disfigurement
¤
Recruit,
retain and promote individuals with disfigurements fairly and equally
¤
Provide
employees with disfigurements with access to a range of interventions based on
the Changing Faces model ensure their self-confidence
¤
Deliver
best practice for all creating a culture of equality and inclusion
¤
Changing
Faces, as a
Catalyst for Change, seeks to inform and encourage employers about the effects
of living with disfiguring conditions
¤
Changing
faces can provide disfigurement confidence training to employers and their
staff
¤
Changing
Faces can support companies in meeting their employees needs
¤
Changing
Faces can support
companies to ensure that they deliver good practice in recruitment, employment,
retention and promotion for people with disfigurements
¤
Website:
www.changingfaces.org.uk
Henrietta
concluded her presentation by telling delegates they were about to launch a
campaign shortly and would like trade unionists to help promote their
issues. Further information e mail:infor@changingfaces.org.uk.
ICTU Joint Disability Committee Seminar - Dublin
This was the first joint seminar held by the
disability committees of the ICTU and NIC-ICTU entitled "Trade Unions -
ensuring the rights of people with disabilities in the workplace" The
seminar was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel close to Dublin Airport on Friday
2nd and Saturday 3rd November attracting over 40 delegates from both the
Republic and Northern Ireland.
Day
1 was chaired by Deirdre OÕConnor, Chair of the Republic of Ireland Disability
Committee. The first speaker was ICTU General Secretary David Begg. David
welcomed delegates and commended the work of all involved with ICTU and
NIC-ICTU regarding disability issues, particularly the Workway and Disability
Champions projects. He talked about a number of ongoing campaigns including
that for a 40 Euros per week Ôcost of disabilityÕ payment for disabled workers
and a payment equal to 100% of average industrial earnings for those disabled
people for whom work is not possible. (by the way,
Angela
Kerins, Chair of the National
Disability Authority talked about barriers faced by disabled people getting
into employment. She placed a lot of focus on the benefit trap and the fact
that people lose benefits and more importantly their medical cards if they earn
more than 120 Euros; this can be difficult to get back and presents a risk that
many are not prepared to take.
Angela
was followed by keynote speaker Gerard Quinn of the Irish Human Rights Commission
talking about the UN Convention on the rights of disabled people. it was
interesting to hear a view from the inside regarding the attitude to disabled
peopleÕs rights from countries around the world tinged with a hint of some of
the possible motives behind this. Questioned about which country he felt was most
committed to change and reform his answer was quite clear; China, not the
country that would have sprung into most peopleÕs minds.
The
dayÕs first politician was Gerry Mulligan who heads up disability issues in the
Office of the First Minister. He reminded delegates of IrelandÕs commitment to
a measurable improvement of the lives of disabled people by 2012. He talked
about the 2005 Disability Discrimination Order, which is very similar in scope
to the UK Disability Equality Duty requiring public sector organisations to
positively promote employment of disabled people. In the Republic this has
involved the introduction of a 3% quota system. For further information on the
content of GerryÕs input see www.equalityni.org
and www.nisra.gov.uk
After
lunch Dave Parr, Disability Champion TUC Tutor gave a presentation about the Disability
Champions project, its history and progress to date. Almost 700 Champions
trained in England, Scotland and Wales.
The concept was well received and there were a number of questions
before the workshop activities to get the views of delegates.
Ann
McKernon, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland talked about a number of
cases that they had taken and reported both in and out of court settlements.
Some of these bore little resemblance to what delegates felt would be
reasonable compensation especially for the loss of a job.
Minister
Dr Jimmy Devlin, T.D. Mental health & disabilities was the final speaker of
the day. His speech commended the work of the trade unions and praised the ICTU
for Workway and Disability Champions@Work.
Day
2 was chaired by the NIC-ICTU Chair, Max OÕBrien, and the first speaker was Irelands
Disability Champions@Work project worker Jane Clare. Jane explained the project
and role from an Irish perspective. She has done a great job adapting the
training course to suit the legal and support system for disability and
disabled people in the Republic and will do a similar task for the North. Her
presentation led into some quality time for discussion and debate with
delegates and speakers alike. This was an excellent second day following quite
an intense day one which had lots of information for people to take in and not
much time for discussion. In the middle of the session Pauline Ryder gave a
presentation about the AHEAD project getting disabled people into supported
employment. She touched on a number of issues that linked very closely to
Disability Champions such as having a workplace advocate, understanding the
social model of disability.
This
was Max OÕBrianÕs final event as Chair of the NIC-ICTU disability committee and
it was very fitting that it should be a joint venture. Tribute was paid to Max by a number of
the participants who wish him well for the future.
I wish to
receive more Information about TUDA: -
Please send
post to: Alan Martin at BM TUDA, London WC1N 3XX ---
Name_____________________________________________________________
Position in Trade Union (if
applicable)____________________________________
E mail:
____________________________________________________________
Post Address (if applicable)
____________________________________________
_________________________________________ Post
Code_______________
Preferred format : Email - Audio -----
Normal Print 12 point
--------
Large Print size -----
BSL
Video----------------------- Braille -----
Membership
Fees:
{Individual Disabled Person --------------------- £7.00------
{Supporting Subscriber -------------------------- £10.00
-----
{Union Branch ------------------------------------- £25.00 -----
{Union Region -------------------------------------
£50.00 ----
{National Unions with 100,000 members or
less £100.00 ---
{Unions with 100,001 to 500,000 members
---
£150.00 ---
{Unions with over 500,000 members
------------ £200.00 ---
NB: We recently raised our subscription rates for national unions in
recognition of continued mergers. However, we have held our rates down for
smaller unions.
Please make cheques payable to Trade Union Disability Alliance