Archive for category Uncategorized
Request for Tsunami Pro Bono volunteers
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on January 12, 2005
Whilst this does not relate specifically to Deaf issues, unless unfortunately Deaf people have been caught up in this disaster, the request is being published here to to the disaster’s magnitude and the fact that it probably preoccupied all our thoughts after Christmas and into the New Year.
On the thoughts of the possibility of Deaf people being caught up in this, surely it makes sense for the Solicitors Pro Bono Group to collect specific skills solicitors have to use when matching with potential clients. The obvious one that springs to mind is additional languages used, which includes BSL.
In terms of Pro Bono work, the usual complication surrounds the willingness for a firm to pay for interpreting support (as it is already donating its services for free) and meeting its legal obligation around this. In theory, one would argue that it is the luck of the draw, and putting oneself forward for such a scheme comes the ‘risk’ of accepting a client who would come under the DDA, whereby reasonable adjustments would need to be made. However it seems, practice is somewhat different.
If you are willing to join this list please send your details (name, firm, phone number and area of expertise) to us volunteer @ probonogroup . org . uk** We will then contact you if and when we receive suitable requests for assistance.
Best wishes
Susan Bucknall
Chief Executive – Solicitors Pro Bono Group
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** spaces added for protection against spam robots, these obviously need to be removed when contacting.
Roadshow: Disability Discrimination Act – are you complying?
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on November 17, 2004
On 1 October 2004 the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 changed significantly. The changes affect shops, cafes, restaurants, libraries, doctors’ surgeries, banks, pubs, in fact any organisation that provides a service to the public. The aim of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is to improve access to services and The Equality Commission (NI) has organised a series of Roadshows and Seminars to give guidance to businesses and disabled people about what the changes will mean.
Information Roadshows are taking place in shopping centres throughout Northern Ireland as follows:
18 November 2004 Erneside, Enniskillen
25 November 2004 Ards
1 December 2004 Craigavon, Rushmere
9 December 2004 Europa Bus Station
16 December 2004 Forestside, Belfast
13 January 2005 Newry, The Quays
27 January 2005 Foyleside, Derry
Voluntary and community organisations can also avail of the Equality Commission’s training seminars, which highlight the steps groups can take to comply with the Act, looking not just at physical features of buildings, but also at how services are delivered.
To find out more please write to or visit Equality House, 7-9 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DP, email: information@equalityni.org, tel: 028 9050 0600 or textphone: 028 9050-0589.
ePolitix & Learn to Sign
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on October 5, 2004
“The BSL Awareness Pack was created as an alternative to Deaf Awareness training, and focuses more on BSL as a language rather than Deafness itself.
“The fact that these courses and materials are Deaf-led reinforces the BDA’s position on BSL ownership – BSL should belong to the Deaf community.
“Everything that was launched on Friday contributes to the fight to reclaim our language.
“BSL ownership is very important if we are to take control of issues affecting our lives.”
Link: ePolitix
Kelby & JP’s website
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on September 6, 2004
Kelby & JP’s House Blog has been set up. The poor guys got their house burnt down last week, and thankfully everyone is okay but they’ve lost most of their possessions.
Kelby is a Deaf lawyer, and I know him via Surduslaw, I’ve had contact with him off list and met him at Deafway II a couple of years ago. A top bloke, and a shame that this has happened to his family. I know Kelby has contributed much, and lately in his position as Director of the Legal Information Center at NAD. I just hope that people can demonstrate the community bit now. Go over and show your support.
“Feedback” received
Posted by Rob in Uncategorized on August 28, 2004
Had really helpful replies from Charles Russell and Olswang (!).
Thank you for your email regarding your application for a Training Contract.
Unfortunately due to the large number of applications that we received it is not possible to provide feedback to applicants who have not reached interview stage.
However, I think it is safe to say that the calibre of applications we received was especially high and it would not necessarily have been one particular aspect of your CV and covering letter that affected your application, simply that other applications were considered stronger overall.
I hope this is not too much of a disappointment to you and wish you every success in securing a Training Contract elsewhere.
Kind regards
Angela Meakins
HR Manager
Due to the volume of applications we receive, unfortunately we are unable to give individuals feedback on their application at this stage of the process.
We are sorry, but would like to take this opportunity to wish you luck in securing a training contract.
Regards
The Graduate Recruitment Team
Why doesn’t these replies surprise me?
Light at the end of the tunnel?
Posted by Rob in Uncategorized on August 12, 2004
I received a reply from Eversheds LLP this morning to my request for feedback. This is what they said:
Thank you for your e-mail.
I confirm we will be in contact shortly.
Regards.
Eversheds LLP Graduate Recruitment
That’s something different, plus they got my name right this time! Will keep you updated.
DDA preparation a shambles
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on July 31, 2004
TUC has issued the following in relation to lack of accessible conference facilities:
Failure to find 2005 National Disabled Conference Venue
In a shocking admission of national failure to address DDA access issues, TUC Disability Conference delegates were given the news that there is no suitable venue in the UK to host the 2005 two day TUC Disability Conference.
Only two months before DDA Access to goods and services becomes fact, the one day Disability Conference held at TUC Congress House on Friday 23 July was advised that the TUC had contacted and reviewed all major conference venues and ‘it is regretted that none of them can currently provide what is needed for this event – a fully accessible venue, with enough suitable bedrooms within the host resort / town.’
Historically recognised conference centres such as Blackpool, Brighton, Bournemouth and Scarborough cannot fulfil the needs of disabled people at such an event until at least 2007.
Major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham Sheffield and York cannot offer the Disabled conference any financial support package which major conferences normally expect.
Stephen Brookes, Chair, NUJ Disabled Members Council and disability Journalist and researcher was appalled by the news.
‘I live in Blackpool, and to find that my home town which has always been in the forefront for national conferences has no suitable venue is just not acceptable.’
While recognising that the news reflected a national failure, Stephen nevertheless was unhappy at the status of his home town.
‘Last year a similar conference was held in Blackpool, in a new hotel, and it failed to address the accessible needs of disabled people. But nationally the truth is that no one has taken the basic needs of DDA95 into consideration, or recognised that they have had 9 years to come to terms with the fact that disabled people have legal rights. It is just not good enough.’
The TUC is undertaking a campaign to challenge the hotel industry and local authorities to provide greater numbers of accessible rooms and facilities for business use by disabled people and organisations.
‘After all’ said Stephen ‘there are 10 million disabled people, and they all spend money at the conferences, so to ignore that is financial suicide anyway.’
end. DDA and DisConf.
Call Stephen Brookes on 01253 594114 for further details.
Stephen Brookes
This is an issue that I’ve greatly anticipated for many years. When I was involved in campaigning for a Disability Bill, back 1993, and the subsequent watered down Bill by the government in response to all those tabled amendments … we were disheartened to learn that it would take 9 years for some of the Act’s provisions to come into force.
At the time I was thinking, this is way too long a time frame, and its not going to happen. The excuse by the then Conservative government; businesses needed time to financially prepare, then time to implement physical changes.
For the past 9 years, this section of the DDA has received very little press, which has rendered the policy reasoning ineffective. The draft Code of Practice was not published until mid-2001.
During 2004, there has been a spur in the press, especially local and publications aimed at businesses, in relation to physical adjustments. It is also being portrayed as a new thing, and very little use to longer term budget planning, strategic decisions, nevermind anything else. The TUC announcement therefore, comes of little surprise.
Thanks #1
Posted by Alison in Uncategorized on July 15, 2004
Stealing an idea from Notes from the (Legal) Underground.
Thanks to the following websites that have linked to us, since our launch:
The Law Society of Scotland
Press Association, Community Newswire
The Lawyer
The Legal Practitioner
College of Law
UK Centre for Legal Education
The Law Teacher
lawcareers.net
Auckland District Law Society
National Deaf Children’s Society
University of Edinburgh Careers Service
University of Bristol Careers Service
Newcastle University Library
Cardiff University: Careers Service
Anglia Polytechnic University Careers Service
University of Glamorgan Careers Centre
University of Warwick: Careers Centre
University of Manchester: Library
University of Kent: Careers
Canterbury Christ Church University College: Careers
British & Irish Association of Law Librarians
venables.co.uk
Deaf UK
Surduslaw
Deaf Ireland
USA-L News
deaf.is
Royal Association for Deaf People
RNID Discussion Forum
deafclub.co.uk
Association of Lipspeakers
PR Web
RSS Xpress
Chiromeme
North of the Stupid Line
Abaculus
irishdeaf.com
Blawg
uk.people.deaf
holeinmyhead.net
London Bloggers
Brit Blog
UKBlogs Aggregator
weblogs.co.uk
Deafview
Blogwise
directory.co.uk
Social Science Information Gateway
yousearched.com
century21.co.uk
DeafGA
Community Newswire
Deaf Academics
Dis-Forum
Disability Careers Forum
E-newsli
Law-www
If we’ve missed any links out, please let us know via the comments feature. If you link to this site via you blog, please ping us by using the Trackback. Alternatively, if the link is via other means, contact us.