+++Skill Scotland E-news May 2005.
Skill Scotland E-News aims to keep disabled students across Scotland in touch with news and events around disability and post-school learning.
++Contents.
+01: New law: equality for disabled people must be the goal.
+02: British workers fear job loss with onset of disability.
+03: One in Four CD.
+04: Benefit reforms anger many disabled people.
+05: Ground-breaking access course.
+06: Should social work change?
+07: Are you keen to get into Journalism?
+08: Snowdon Award Scheme.
+09: Into Nursing and Midwifery.
+10: My experience, by Angie Mutch.
+11: Skill Scotland event.
+12: Disability inquiry.
+13: Forum on Discrimination.
+14: Learning Disability Today.
+01: New law: equality for disabled people must be the goal.
Disabled people now have the same legal rights to equality as people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
This new law means that from December 2006 all organisations who are funded by the taxpayer, will have to actively promote the equality of disabled people. They will have to look carefully at what they do to identify any aspects where disabled people do not have equality of experience or opportunity, and will then have to create an action plan to address these gaps.
Colleges and universities are included in this new law. They will have to look at areas such as the number of applications they get from disabled people, disabled students’ satisfaction with their courses, and the qualifications that disabled students get compared to non-disabled students.
John Ireson, Director of Skill Scotland, said:
‘This new law is a potentially huge step forward for the equality of disabled people in lifelong learning in Scotland, although of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Skill Scotland will be working to make sure that this law brings real improvements for disabled people in post-16 education.’
If you would like more information about this new law, or to be kept informed about Skill Scotland’s future work in this area, get in touch at:
+02: British workers fear job loss with onset of disability.
More than a quarter of British workers believe their boss would be unlikely to help them keep their job if they become disabled, a MORI poll for the DRC reveals.
The report found that 28% of non-disabled workers felt their employers would not make adjustments to help them stay in work following a serious accident. However, another DRC survey found that 85% of small employers said they would be flexible about hours or minor parts of the job if the employee had the right skills and enthusiasm.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) gives disabled employees the right to reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Access to Work funding can also help pay for adjustments or equipment, working in a similar way to Disabled Students Allowance in higher education.
You can read more about the poll at: http://www.drc.org.uk/newsroom/newsdetails.asp?id=789§ion=1
+03: One in Four CD.
A new CD has been produced to raise awareness of mental health across Scotland.
The One in Four campaign, that aims to raise mental health awareness, has sent out a CD to over 100, 000 young people across Scotland, including every first year student. The CD includes music and an information booklet about mental health. All the tracks on the CD were personally chosen by the bands, all believing that music has the power to influence attitudes and change lives. Tracks include ‘Eyes Wide Open’ by Teenage Fanclub, Mogwai’s ‘Helicon 2’ and ‘How to be Dead’ by Snow Patrol.
Some copies are still available from the Scottish Association for Mental Health by emailing:
+04: Benefit reforms anger many disabled people.
The government have announced that Incapacity Benefit is to be scrapped. In its place there will be Disability and Sickness Allowance for those most unable to work. Most people who get Incapacity Benefit will move on to get the new Rehabilitation Support Allowance that will be a flat rate but with extra money for those trying to return to work.
However, concern over these changes has been voiced by many disabled people and disability organisations. The DRC said that more must be done to give employers guidance on how to keep disabled people in work. Capability Scotland said that the reforms will do little to help disabled people into work, yet risks making them and their families even poorer.
The government plans to consult on these changes in the near future.
+05: Ground-breaking access course.
Heriot-Watt University has recently launched a new course titled ‘Inclusive Environmental Access and Design’, aimed at both disabled people and access professionals. The course aims to provide advanced training in accessible buildings and open spaces, and is supported by bursaries from the Scottish Executive for disabled people resident in Scotland who want to take the course.
+06: Should social work change?
The whole role and purpose of social workers is being examined in a review set up by Scottish Ministers.
The 21st Century Social Work Review is looking at all aspects of social work services, to make decisions about what social workers should and should not do, and what changes are needed to the way they do things. This will help design social work services for the future. More information about the review is available at:
http://www.21csocialwork.org.uk
Many disabled students who get community care or other services from social work will have opinions and experience about what works and what doesn’t work. Skill Scotland is going to have input to the Review. If you have any views or opinions that you want Skill Scotland to raise on your behalf, do let us know! Just give us a call on Tel: 0131 475 2348 or email:
++ Money Matters.
+07: Are you keen to get into Journalism?
Would you like to have professional, hands-on and nationally accredited training in Broadcasting or Print Journalism, but have no money to pay for it?
The Leach Trust has established a bursary scheme to help disabled graduates study for a one-year post-graduate course in broadcast production, broadcast journalism or print journalism.
The maximum grant available is £5,000. The Trust will offer at least two bursaries in 2005.
You can get more information on the Skill website here:
http://www.skill.org.uk/news/noticeboard/index.asp
+08: Snowdon Award Scheme.
The Snowdon Award Scheme provides grants to physically impaired students to help them make the most of further and higher education or training.
Grants are between £250 and £2000, and are for meeting costs that are not covered by statutory or other sources. For example, applicants have used Snowdon grants to help cover the costs of interpreters, notetakers, personal carers, computers or travel costs.
All applications need to be submitted by 31 May. For more information contact Tel: 01403 211252 or get an application form at:
http://www.snowdonawardscheme.org.uk
++ Careers in focus.
+09: Into Nursing and Midwifery.
Skill is about to launch a new publication ‘Into Nursing: a guide for disabled people’. This key publication provides information about ways into nursing professions, alongside profiles of disabled nurses and midwifes about their experiences.
To order a copy or find out more, contact Skill on Tel/Text: 020 7450 0620
++ Telling it like it is!
Every edition of Skill Scotland E-News features articles by disabled students talking about their own experiences – telling it like it is! This edition, Angie Mutch has kindly agreed to tell us about her experience. This article is also included in the new Skill publication ‘Into Nursing and Midwifery’.
+10: My experience, by Angie Mutch.
My name is Angie Mutch, and am 37 years old. I have both physical and mental health difficulties.
I attended the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, where I undertook a BSc (Hons) in Nursing course.
Having applied, I was invited to the university for an interview with the course leaders. They were keen to see how my disabilities affected me, and if they would prevent me from undertaking the course. They also wanted to see what assistance I would require in order to participate fully in the course.
Nursing involves working with vulnerable people, as well as being both physically and emotionally demanding. It is regulated by the ‘Nursing and Midwifery Council’, who ensure that both qualified and student nurses are “safe” to work with patients. As such, it was necessary for me to attend an occupational health assessment, as well as provide a report from my psychiatrist, saying that my mental health difficulties would not impinge on my ability to train as a nurse.
The university then ensured that I was not placed on wards that involved heavy lifting, since I had previously broken my back. They also arranged for me to work part-time shifts, utilising the “reasonable adjustment” clause of the Disability Discrimination Act.
It was such a great feeling to qualify, knowing that I had overcome hurdles such as other people’s attitudes to get there.
If I was to give any advice to any prospective student it would be this- be open and honest with the course leaders. That way they can fully support you, especially if you meet any discrimination during your course. I had one such bad experience, and, because I had been honest from the start, I had the full backing and support of the university.
And now, having qualified, I know I have nothing to prove – I know I’ve made it, and have much to give to, as well as receive, from my chosen career in nursing.
++ What’s on?
+11: Skill Scotland event.
On the 24 May, Skill Scotland will welcome Cathy Peattie MSP, Convenor of the Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee to address its AGM. All are invited to come along to hear more about the key MSP inquiry into barriers that face disabled people in further and higher education.
Cathy Peattie MSP will also launch Skill’s new publication ‘Into Nursing and Midwifery’. Other key speakers include Robert Warmen, Aberdeen College Students with Disabilities Officer, and Lorna Thomas, a Disability Adviser at Edinburgh University.
The event will include refreshments & will be held on 24 May at 4-7pm in Update, 27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh. To RSVP or to find out more, get in touch on Tel: 0131 475 2348 or email:
+12: Disability inquiry.
MSPs are out and about around Scotland, asking about the barriers that face disabled people in accessing work, further and higher education, and leisure.
The next event is on Tuesday 31 May in Dundee. If you are interested in going along, email:
+13: Forum on Discrimination.
Have you experienced discrimination? Are you interested in equality issues and his this affects your community? Would you also be keen to learn more about working with your local media in order to change the coverage your area of concern is getting?
Then come along to this free events, run by the Scottish Civic Forum in Aberdeen (venue to be confirmed) on Wednesday 8 June
Contact Sarah Guppy on Telephone: 0131 557 6767, Fax: 0870 051 1192, or Email:
+14: Learning Disability Today.
This is Scotland’s largest event for everyone involved in the learning disability field, including service users, carers and professionals. The exhibition includes 60 organisations, together with a full seminar programme, an Art Zone and Relaxation Zone. To find out more, call Tel: 0870 161 3505 or check out:
http://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk
++ Skill Scotland E-news details.
Skill Scotland: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities exists to promote equality for people with all kinds of disabilities in post-16 education, training and employment.
For further information about any part of the Skill Scotland E-news, contact the Skill Information Service at Freephone/Text: 0800 328 5050 Monday-Thursday 1.30-4.30pm Mail to: Website: http://www.skill.org.uk/scotland
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