At the heart of what we do, is our Disability Information Service. This includes advice on any area of disability (with the exception of welfare benefits), and typical enquires range from information on accessible holidays, and the Blue Badge Scheme, through to detailed, specific advice on disabled people’s rights.
Our specialist advisors are experts in physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and mental health illnesses, and provide guidance on a range of subjects.
Disability Equality Training and Choices and Rights
Our Disability Equality Training (DET) project, although currently unfunded, enables us continue to deliver DET on a limited basis, with requests being considered on merit. We have delivered DET to a wide range of organisations including: the National Probation Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, Primary Care Trusts, the Health Service, as well as numerous Local Authorities and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
What is Disability Equality Training? (DET)
“Many public and private sector bodies have gradually realised that their work practices and policies fall far short of fulfilling the needs, rights and aspirations of disabled people who are their clients, customers and co-workers and that, in order to change this situation, they need to turn to disabled people for education and guidance. From this realisation has grown the demand for DET run by disabled people, which aims to help people understand the meaning of disability, identify changes in work practice, and plan strategies to implement change”
When and where did DET start?
Since 1981, DET courses have been organised and run by disabled people to address the need for information about the reality of disability. Having disabled people deliver the training is a fundamental part of working towards a positive change in attitude by non-disabled course participants. DET courses enable participants to identify and address discriminatory forms of practice towards the disabled. Finding ways to challenge extant organisational behaviours that reinforce negative myths, stereotypes and/or values is one aspect of DET, and enables both disabled and non-disabled participants to recognise and promote a society where disabled people have equality of opportunity, as well as equality of expectation, to fully participate in society.
What are the objectives of DET
Once DET has been concluded, participants will be able to:
1. Reach a social, as opposed to an individual (medical), model of disability through a combination of group/individual exercises, co-participation, as well as teaching.
2. Recognise and challenge some of the common myths and false distinctions about disability/disabled people that relegates disabled people to the status of a discriminated-against minority.
3. Demonstrate the practical application of equal opportunity policies for disabled people within the respective work environments of the course participants.
We are regularly approached by organisations for our consultancy services, such as supporting external ‘in-house’ training programmes, policy development and, more recently, assisting in the development of (Disability) Equality Duty Schemes and Plans. We have assisted with the Disability Equality Duty Schemes and Plans of Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Police, as well as Humberside Fire and Rescue. The Local Authority has involved our organisation in all its consultancy work, implementing strategies, and their Equality Schemes.
Our consultancy expertise provides an opportunity for businesses to gain support and advice, on any disability-related issue, from highly trained, specialist consultants.
The service is available for both general advice, for example reviewing policies and standard practice and making recommendations, and for work on specific issues, for example, obtaining quality standards such as the Government’s Disability Confident Standard. We can also undertake work-based assessments, support recruitment and assist with complaints’ processes.
For more information about any of the above, please contact Choices and Rights Disability Coalition.
The Hull Centre for Independent Living (incorporating Choices and Rights Disability Coalition) is located at:
The Centre for Independent Living
Jude Lodge (Tiverton House)
Tiverton Road
Bransholme
Hull
HU7 4QS
Tel: (01482) 878778
Fax: (01482) 370999
Main Email: office@choicesandrights.org.uk
PA Database: esw@choicesandrights.org.uk
GDPR: GDPR@choicesandrights.org.uk
Chair: Helen Thompson