EU ruling will help millions

A mother won a landmark ruling yesterday when a court found she had been discriminated against because her son has a disability.
She claimed she was forced to give up her job because her employers would not give her the flexible working hours she needed to look after her 6 year old son who has breathing problems.
An employment tribunal refered the case to the European Court for a ruling on whether EU discrimination laws covering disabled people could also apply to able-bodied people.
Judges ruled that EU law protects an employee who has suffered discrimination on the grounds of their child's disability.
The ruling will give rights to millions of carers (60% of whom are women) stating "Where an employer treats an employee who is not himself disabled less favourably than another employee in a comparable situation, and it is established that the less favourable treatment of that employee is based on the disability of his child, whose care is provided primarily by that employee, such treatment is contrary to the prohibition of direct discrimination"
The ruling could also have implications for people providing care to an older relative.

Sight Village Summer 2008

Yesterday afternoon we visited the QAC Sight Village Summer Exhibition in Birmingham.
An exhibition of technology, equipment and services for people with a visual impairment.
Approx 100 exhibitors demonstrating Audio equipment and services, Braille equipment and services, Computers and IT, Screen Enlargers and Readers, Daily Living equipment, Education and Training, Information, Leisure Services, Mobility Aids, Tactile Equipment, Text Readers plus information from several charities.
It was a very interesting few hours. There are so many recent advances in technology aimed at giving more independence to blind and visually impaired people.
Mobile Readers, for example, can be activated on a mobile phone. The user takes a photo of the print to be read and the character recognition software reads the text aloud.
Walking canes that can warn of overhead hazards.
Charities supporting blind and visually impaired people in the workplace and education.
The next QAC Sight Village will be held in London on 4th November at Kensington Town Hall.

DDA Presentation

On Friday 11th July, we were delighted to accept the invitation to the Defence Academy, Shrivenham to give a presentation to their Estates Project Engineers on the "DDA and the role of the Access Consultant"
The invitation came via GBS Architects, Oxford.
We gave a powerpoint presentation for approx 40 minutes and then had an open forum for discussion.
It was a great opportunity to talk in detail about the importance of revisiting those Access Audits, the recent changes in legislation, the Design and Access Statement and the importance of Emergency Egress for disabled people.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such an interesting event.

ACCESS RESOLUTION

Access Resolution - Established in 2003 by Ruth Hopkins.

“A conscientious and self motivated Access Auditor who copes well in pressure situations meeting deadlines and providing practical solutions.
I use my initiative and refer to current legislation, guidance and best practice to work through projects and take pride in producing a quality result. I have good communication and influencing skills with the ability to negotiate and provide high standards of professional advice, making informed decisions for my clients.
I spent 16 years working in International Banking for Lloyds TSB reaching supervisory grades before taking a career break to raise my daughter. My father was an architect who spent the last few years of his life as a wheelchair user and his experiences determined my choice of career when I returned to work.
I trained with the Centre for Accessible Environments and feel passionate about my work – where small changes to the environment, policies and procedures can make a huge difference to so many people. Accessibility is so much more than providing a ramp and Accessible WC”