/ SCoD Bulletin Mid - June 2016
Scottish Council on Deafness Bulletin | Bi-Monthly Magazine for SCoD Members

Hello!

Welcome to your Mid-June update from SCoD. We have updated our bulletin’s page! Most of you will have received an email from me at some point, or met me at our conferences/events. I am looking at a new format for our bulletin.

I would really appreciate it if you would give me your comments on this bulletin by Friday 30 June 2016. Please email with your feedback. Much appreciated 

A Big CONGRATULATIONS to the Deaf Health Charity SignHealth for winning the Disability category for its workdeliveringtherapy and counselling for deaf people in British Sign Language. For more information on the results, click here.

Well done to North East Sensory Services (NESS)who won the tender for Joint Sensory Services in Dundee.

Events

Nominations are now OPEN for the SCoD Star Awards. This exciting event will take place on 15 November 2016 in the Glasgow City Hotel. Please see the Events section of the bulletin for more information and how to submit your nominations.

We are also looking for sponsors for the Awards. More information is listed in the Events section below. Please contact if you are interested in getting involved.

Our Third SCoD Conference, ‘Connect & Capitalise’ is taking place on Thursday 9th March 2017. To get involved with a workshop or information session, please email with your ideas. The venue has changed to The Glasgow City Hotel located on Cambridge Street, and more information will follow in due course.

Training

We are still looking for people to attend our capacity-building courses, which include Governance and Human Rights. Please remember that ALL SCoD members will receive a discounted rate. We have also developed some FREE taster sessions for you to come along to that will give you an insight to the full course. For more information, please see the events/training section of this bulletin.

Membership

We would like to welcome The Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) as a new full member of SCoD and B Smart Media as an Associate Member.

Best wishes,

Adeel & the SCoD Team

General News

DSP / BSL NAG Update

The BSL National Plan is scheduled for publication on 22 October 2017 in British Sign Language and English.

This group will draft long-term aims, agreed between the British Sign Language (BSL) and Public Body representatives on the group. The draft paper on aim and long-term ambition for British Sign Language (BSL) in Scotland is out now for discussion – deadline is Monday 30 May 2016. Please check Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP) website or Facebook for more information.

It’s hoped that the first National Plan will allow service provision in British Sign Language to cascade down from the level of Public Bodies, Local Authorities, Health Boards and other statutory bodies to the wider private and public sectors.

The Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP) continues to support BSL NAG Members. The efforts of this group to facilitate a National Plan, the sustained research and coordination work of DSP and BSL NAG members, and continued community, grassroots engagement all offer favourable signs for the effective promotion of greater linguistic access.

To find out more information, please visit DSP’s website:

Should you have any questions regarding BSL NAG or DSP, please get in touch with us by email: .

Fully Funded Digital Promotion Course

BUSINESSES in Glasgow are being given the chance to skill up their workforce with an innovative online digital marketing course – for free.

Companies who sign up to the fully funded nationally accredited course, Digital Promotion for Business, will also receive at no charge their own tailored free smartphone app worth £3,000.The initiative is being offered by a division of Bsmart Media, and aims to try and address the digital skills gap that exists across Scotland.

It is thought 12.6 million adults in the UK lack basic digital skills, while 5.8 million have never used the internet at all, according to a recent report.The Level 2 NCFE accredited distance-learning course was created to meet the demand for digital media for businesses and is online so employees can complete the course at their own speed.

Content includes help on how to use more effectively social networking sites such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to boost your online presence.The smartphone app complements the digital marketing strategy and offers a wide range of features to attract new customers and keep in touch with current customers.

These include push notifications - free messages sent out to people who have downloaded the app - a loyalty scheme to retain custom and social media integration.

Neil Harding, managing director of Bsmart Media, said: “The UK leads Europe on tech, but we need to take concerted action to avoid falling behind online.We are all spending more and more time on our mobiles, tablets and laptops, while many of our working days are also spent in front of a screen. That’s why businesses need to understand how working practices are changing, and this course has been developed to meet this need.With this offer, not only does the business invest in its workforce by upskilling them, it also gets a free app to market itself using a medium that its customers are using more and more.”

Places and funding are limited and for more information about this offer visit telephone 0800 2 54 50 51 or .

The Minister responsible for BSL

It has been announced that Mark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, will have responsibility for BSL. This means that BSL sits within the portfolio of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

For more information, please click here.

NGTS Survey

NADP undertook a survey earlier in the year to get the views of members onNext Generation Text Relay. This provided useful insights from a customerperspective; however, we are keen foreach member organisation of UKCoD topromote thesurvey to all their members, so we can get much larger and morecomprehensive completed questionnaires.
The link for the questionnaire can be found here

Industrial action from 21 June

Rail and Maritime Union (RMT) has confirmed its intention to strike on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 21June
  • Thursday 23June
  • Saturday 25June
  • Sunday 3July
  • Sunday 10July
  • Sunday 17July

ScotRail remain committed to holding further talks in a bid to avoid any action. However, in the meantime we are putting plans in place to run as many trains as possible to help you get where you need to go.

A temporary timetable has been drawn up to prepare for the strike action and the key summary of the routes affected are listed below to help you plan ahead. Please note that this is subject to change and it is important to frequently visit the ScotRail website for updates.

Services running as normal

  • Helensburgh/Milngavie – Edinburgh via Glasgow Queen St Low Level, Airdrie andBathgate
  • Dumbarton Central – Cumbernauld via Glasgow Queen St LowLevel
  • Balloch – Airdrie via Glasgow Queen St LowLevel
  • Milngavie to Motherwell/Cumbernauld via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Carstairs/Cumbernauld/Motherwell to Anderston via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Anderston to Whifflet/Motherwell/Carstairs via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Motherwell/Whifflet to Dalmuir via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Dalmuir to Larkhall via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Larkhall to Milngavie via Glasgow Central LowLevel
  • Glasgow Central –Motherwell/Lanark
  • Glasgow Central –Cathcart/Neilston/Newton
  • Glasgow Central –Ayr
  • Glasgow Central –Largs/Ardrossan
  • Glasgow Central - WemyssBay/Gourock
  • Glasgow Central – PaisleyCanal

Services running on a reduced frequency

(Trains will run approximately between the hours of 07.00 – 19.00)

  • Glasgow Central –Stirling/Perth/Dundee/Aberdeen
  • Glasgow Central – EastKilbride
  • Edinburgh –Tweedbank
  • Edinburgh – FifeCircle
  • Edinburgh –Perth/Inverness
  • Edinburgh –Dundee
  • Edinburgh –Dunblane
  • Edinburgh – Glasgow Queen St Low Level via FalkirkHigh

Cancelled Services

  • Edinburgh – NorthBerwick/Dunbar
  • Edinburgh –Aberdeen/Dyce/Inverurie
  • Edinburgh – Alloa (a limited Edinburgh – Dunblane service will operate asabove)
  • North Berwick/Edinburgh – Glasgow Central/Ayr (Glasgow – Ayr services will operate asnormal)
  • Glasgow Queen St –Stirling/Dunblane/Alloa/Dundee/Carnoustie/Arbroath
  • Glasgow Queen St – Oban/FortWilliam/Mallaig
  • Anniesland – FalkirkGrahamston
  • Stranraer/Girvan – Ayr/Kilmarnock/GlasgowCentral
  • Glasgow Central –Inverness
  • Glasgow Central – Edinburgh viaShotts
  • Glasgow Central –Barrhead/Kilmarnock/Dumfries/Carlisle

*A small number of Northern Rail services may operate and this will confirm as soon as it is known.

  • Aberdeen –Dyce/Inverurie/Inverness
  • Inverness – Kyle ofLochalsh/Wick
  • Inverness –Elgin
  • Inverness –Tain

Advice

  • We advise booking assistance in advance so that our staff can be prepared for your arrival and departure but also effectively, to help you in the best way theycan.
  • If the journey you want to make is not urgent, we recommend that you consider rescheduling it for another day when strike action is notplanned.
  • Please continue to visit the ScotRailwebsite for updates

Quality Improvement throughout a Child's Journey - Latest News

The Scottish Government has issued theirJune Newsletter, which includes key updates and stories from the Maternity and Children Quality Improvement Collaborative, Early Years Collaborative and Raising Attainment for All.

This issue’s highlights include the new Cabinet and Ministerial teams, launch of the Quality Improvement Awards and stories of alignment and improvement across the three programmes.

To view this newsletter, please click here.

LGBT Young Adult Carer Research

Carers Trust Scotland has launched research revealing experiences and barriers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young adult carerson their path to adulthood in Scotland. Findings show that LGBT young adult carers are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing bullying, poor mental and physical health and they have limited support services.

The research, which is the first of its kind, explores the difficulties facing LGBT young adult carers in comparison with young adult carers and LGBT young people in general. The research, called Young people caring OUT there: Experiences of LGBT Young Adult Carers in Scotland, highlights a number of key differences including:

  • LGBT young adult carers are three times more likely to experience bullying than young adult carers and 15% more likely compared to LGBT young people
  • LGBT young adult carers are more than three times more likely to have a mental health problem
  • LGBT young adult carers are twice more likely to feel their health is just ‘Ok’ or ‘Poor’ compared to young adult carers.

LGBT young adult carers have many challenges as they grow up - in education, employment, health and in their social lives as they make their transition to adulthood. This report set sets out key recommendations for national and local government, health, education providers and employers on how to improve the lives of LGBT young adult carers.

How can you show your support?

  • Share the Young people caring OUT there: Experiences of LGBT Young Adult Carers in Scotlandreport with your colleagues and contacts
  • To add your pledge of support on twitter, post “It’s time for LGBT young adult carers’ voices to be heard…I’m listening #TTBH @CarersTrustScot”
  • Sign the Time to be Heard for Young Adult Carers supporters’ petition here and promote this petition widely

SPSO launches new scheme for independently reviewing Scottish Welfare Fund decisions

As of the 1st of April 2016, there is now a route for applicants of the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) to seek an Independent Review of their decision. The SWF is a national scheme that is delivered bylocal authorities. In assuming this new role, the SPSO will consider whether thecouncil should have made a different decision. It has the power to tell the council to change all or part of the decision, leave the decision unchanged or direct the local authority to remake their decision.

As was the case before the 1st of April, applicants still have to make the initial SWF application to their local council. If they are unhappy with the decision made, they can request that the council carry out a Tier 1 Review. Only if they then disagree with their Tier 1decision should they contact the SPSO for an Independent Review.

The Scottish Welfare Fund provides a safety net for vulnerable people on low incomes through the provision of Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Crisis grants are available when individuals are facing a disaster or emergency and where there is an immediate threat to the health and safety of them or their family. A disaster may mean a fire or flood while an example of an emergency could be running out of food due to a sudden loss of income. Individuals can apply for community care grants to provide assistance in establishing or maintaining a settled way of life or to support families facing exceptional pressure who are in need of essential household items.

Applicants can apply for an Independent Review of their Scottish Welfare Decision online, by calling 0800 0147299 or by making a postal application. Click here for further information.

The Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2015-16

Now available in English and Gaelic. The report provides a useful overview of the Parliament's work in the Chamber and in committee, as well as details of its engagement with the international community and the public at Holyrood and across Scotland. For a copy of the annual report, please click here.

Hate Crime Report

A report onHate Crimein Scotland 2015-16, was published on Friday 10 June. This brings together figures on race crime, and on crime motivated by prejudice related to religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity. It also includes figures for charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.

To read full report, please click here

Events & Conferences

SCoD Stars Awards 2016 – Nominations now open!

The SCoD Awards has been created to recognise organisations or individuals whose values, work, projects, and activities benefit deaf and hard of hearing people in Scotland.

There are 10 categories in total – 8 categories will be open to nominations from anyone, and 2 categories will feature selections made by the SCoD board of directors and will then be open to a public vote.

The awards are free to enter and the featured categories are:

  1. Advice, Innovation, Support & Services
  2. Lifelong Learning Initiative
  3. Children & Young People Achievement
  4. Partnership Working
  5. Arts & Leisure
  6. Research & Development
  7. Digital Innovation
  8. Accessibility Champion
  9. Outstanding Achievement – public vote
  10. Lifetime Achievement – public vote

The shortlisted nominees for categories 9 and 10 will be announced soon and details on how to vote for your winner will be circulated widely. Watch this space!

See below table for sponsorship packages:

Sponsorship type / Amount / Benefits
Ceremony Sponsor / £2,500 /
  • Branding on every table
  • Branding on stage
  • Branding on tickets
  • Headline sponsor in programme
  • 4 complimentary tickets
  • Option to address ceremony
  • Free SCoD full membership for 1 year

Awards Programme Sponsor / £500 /
  • Branding on programme cover
  • Full page ad in programme
  • 2 complimentary tickets
  • Free SCoD Associate membership for 1 year

Award Category Sponsor / £350 /
  • Branded award
  • Option to present award to winner
  • Listed in programme
  • Half page ad in programme
  • 2 complimentary tickets
  • Free SCoD Associate Membership for 1 year

Equipment Sponsor / £450 /
  • Listed in programme
  • Half page ad in programme
  • 2 complimentary tickets
  • Free SCoD Associate Membership for 1 year

Communication Support Sponsor / £1,000 /
  • Listed in Programme
  • Full page ad in Programme
  • 4 complimentary tickets
  • Free SCoD Full membership for 1 year

Simplyclick here to nominate, complete the online form and submit

By post:Scottish Council on Deafness, Suite 62, Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6LD

Good luck to everyone and we cannot wait to see who the winners are this year!

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION SUBMISSION: Monday 15 August 2016.

SCoD Connect & Capitalise Conference

The third SCoD Conference, ‘Connect & Capitalise’ will take place on Thursday 9th March 2017. If you want to get involved with a workshop or information session, please email with your ideas.

The venue has changed to The Glasgow City Hotel located on Cambridge Street in the City Centre.

Care Home Open Day

17th June 2016

The suggested theme this year is"Celebration". You can decide what you would like to celebrate. You can link your events to the Queen's 90th Birthday street party celebrations, the Olympic Games in Rio; celebrate the lives of your residents, the European Football Championship, or anything else you would like to celebrate!

Good care homes do great things all year round and this one day is to highlight what you do within your local communities.So, get your thinking caps on, get your residents, their families, staff and your friends in the local community involved in deciding what you would like to do for the day, and get planning!