January 17, 2008 11:26 AM
Unison’s National Disabled Members Conference
In October, members of the BAOT/COT Disability Forum ventured to Harrogate International Centre for Unison’s 14th National Disabled Members Conference, where attendees voted on a range of issues such as disability equality duty and disability leave.
It was fantastic to witness inspiring people from around the country, who had all kinds of abilities, express a clear passion for equality and taking the time to positively work towards change. We all found ourselves getting involved and Laraine Epstein, chair of the BAOT/COT Disability Forum, highlighted an occupational therapy presence while addressing conference and echoing inclusively not exclusivity.
Richard Exell, former commissioner for the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), spoke about the achievements of the DRC and reminded delegates that there is still much work to be done. On 1 October 2007 the DRC, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) merged together to form the new Equality and Human Rights Commission, which has taken on the responsibility for helping secure civil rights for people with disabilities.
Rory Heap, a disability activist, gave a workshop about the ‘medical’, ‘charitable’ and ‘social’ models. The social model looks beyond a person’s impairment at all the relevant factors that affect people’s ability to be a full and equal participant in society and a strong social model ethos underpinned the whole conference.
Pre-organisation of the conference hall was to be commended and helped enable members. There was a wide use of technology, including a main screen, individual monitors, and even a typist providing the text of everything said, which was then transferred to all the screens and monitors. A hearing loop, interpreters and signers were also present. The signers were also being filmed and displayed onto the screens and monitors.
While comfortable leather seats were set up for individuals and tables were provided, and the podium was altered in height to accommodate the person expressing their views, the conference hall was on a different level to the main access area, and toilet facilities were only accessible by stairs or one lift, accommodating one wheelchair user at a time. This caused frustration and reduced dignity.
The Disability Equality Duty (DED) 2006 covers 45,000 public bodies across Great Britain, and is meant to ensure that all public bodies – such as central or local government, schools, health trusts or emergency services – pay ‘due regard’ to the promotion of equality for disabled people in every area of their work. People who work in the public sector have to consider the impact of their work on disabled people, and take action to tackle disability inequality. This should mean that disabled people have better employment opportunities and do not come across discrimination when, for example, using a service. It should also help promote positive attitudes towards disabled people in everyday life.
Laraine Epstein, Nanthini Sivanesan, Julie Bevan, Tracey Thorneywork
There was a vote to campaign for this duty to be further extended into the private sector with a local enforcement unit.
There was a feeling from members that the Disability Discrimination Act (2005) (DDA) has not been realising the outcomes on the ground that had been hoped for. Members also expressed disappointment that certain people were under represented at conference, specifically those with learning difficulties, or those with mental health issues, and hoped that members may get involved in the future.
Norma Stephenson, Unison president, expressed concern over government statistics highlighting that within the UK today a significant health gap still exists in relation to one’s age at the onset of ill health or disability, dependant on where someone should live.
It was expressed that ‘old’ sickness absence policies and procedures were discriminating against people with disabilities, especially in line with the DDA and DED, as sickness policies have been used for the purpose of assessing performance, promotion, attendance, selection for redundancy, and similar issues. It was noted that some people might need to have time off work due to their disability and not ‘sickness’. Proactive employers have been reported to have worked alongside Unison and separated sickness leave from disability leave.
We felt this was a great venue for people to attend and was a positive challenge to negative attitudes. Equality was the theme and women, black members, and lesbian/gay/ bisexual/ transgender members were present. By attending conference, current disability/equality issues were highlighted and we had the opportunity to be involved. We hope people link with Unison to attend the conference in Cheshire in 2008.
References
For more information on the Disability Equity Duty visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/
