Disability Working Group
Satellite Group 3 Meeting Note 24 August 2005
Group 3 - communication; consultation; education and training; citizenship; disability equality training; public attitudes.
Attendance:
Christopher Crockett, Inclusion Scotland (Chair)
Lionel Long, Update
Karen Martin, Scottish Executive: Civic Participation Policy
Sandra Manning, Scottish Executive: Additional Support Needs
Colin Ferguson, Disability Rights Commission
Sheila Williams, Capability Scotland
Stuart Aitken, Sense Scotland
Kim Hartley, Communication Impairment Action Group
Margaret Hurcombe, Scottish Accessible Information Forum
Graeme Bryce, Scottish Executive: Equality Unit
Apologies received from:
Lilian Lawson, Scottish Council on Deafness
Claire Keggie, Scottish Executive: Student Inclusion and Access
Vikki Milne, Scottish Executive: Civic Participation Research
Kate Wallace, Scottish Association for Mental Health
Introduction
1. Christopher's welcomed the group members to the third of the satellite group 3 meetings. Members introduced themselves. Kim Hartley was attending the group for the first time and spoke about her role at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and on the Communication Impairment Action Group.
2. The focus for the meeting was on consultation and communication. The group would consider and discuss a table of recommendations drawn from the papers discussed at the previous meeting.
Note of the last meeting
3. The note of the meeting on 23 June was agreed.
Matters arising
4. The Jenny Morris paper on citizenship had not yet been circulated but would be shortly. Education officials clarified that HMIE's work in schools did consider disability (see para 9 of the previous note).
Discussion of table - consultation and communication
5. Action point 1
Review or contribute to the Scottish Executive's 'good practice guidance on consultation'
Discussion
Karen explained that the Executive was undertaking a great deal of work on developing civic participation, including setting up a new civic participation policy unit, establishing a steering group to oversee development of the Executive's policy and a civic participation network to allow SE staff to share best participation practice. There were also plans for a complete review of the good practice guidance on consultation.
Stuart stressed that it was important to ensure that consultation was accessible for people with communication impairments and to think in advance about different needs. He noted some good examples from the Executive including the vulnerable witnesses guidance and the FE consultation on complex needs.
Kim commented that it was important to consider the broad spectrum of communication impairment. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists had developed a checklist for MSPs and Kim agreed to send this to the Executive. She also suggested that it might be possible to look at whether a communication standard could be developed.
Karen was keen to receive input from the group and to look at the documents and materials which people had mentioned. With so much work happening within the Executive's civic participation team this was a good time for the disability working group to be feeding in.
Draft recommendation
That the Scottish Executive should develop practical guidance on inclusive communication and consultation
6. Action point 2
Promote SAIF standards
Discussion
The group considered that work was needed to promote the use of the standards developed by the Scottish Accessible Information Forum. Options discussed included establishing a Scottish Executive website, Scottish Executive funding for demonstration projects or demonstration websites, and the possibility of an award scheme.
The group agreed that it would recommend the promotion of the SAIF standards.
Draft Recommendation
That the Scottish Executive should promote the use of the SAIF standards.
7. Action point 3
Develop solutions for communication with deaf people by following up the NHS Greater Glasgow pilot project
Discussion
It was considered that issues of access to the health service existed for all disabled people, not just those with hearing impairment. The 'Fair for All' project was already looking at access to the NHS and this recommendation might be addressed through that route.
Draft recommendation
The Fair for All project ensures that it's work on the access needs of disabled people in relation to the NHS includes communication impairments of all types
8. Action point 4
Use British sign language interpreters in key broadcasts and news bulletins
Discussion
It was considered that the Scottish Executive did not have the legal authority to require broadcasters to use British Sign Language. However, there might be scope to look at the Executive's own media work and how this might be made more accessible, for example, through use of BSL interpreters.
It was also suggested that the Scottish Arts Council might consider interpreter issues when allocating grant funding. And it was noted that the SAC would be covered by the new duty to promote equality for disabled people.
Draft recommendation
That Scottish Executive media work should be accessible.
9. Action point 5
Service settings should create a climate where seeking views and encouraging participation in decision-making are part of every day activities
Discussion
To an extent the issues had been discussed under action point 1. It was noted that the public sector would be covered by the new legal duty to promote equality for disabled people and that there would be a requirement for public authorities to consult with and involve disabled people much more proactively than they currently do. However, it was considered that there might be scope for guidance on this.
Draft recommendation
That guidance on involving disabled people should be considered in the context of the new public sector duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
10. Action point 6
Service developments should consider how their findings and methods will integrate with other services
Discussion
Information on a disabled person's needs which has been gathered for one particular service setting should be transferred or integrated into other service settings. An example of a 'communication passport' was discussed. These passports were considered to be very useful but there was a lack of information about the extent to which they were used and how they were paid for. It was also unclear whether service providers were aware of them and how they could be used. It was suggested that research might look at mapping the current position and identifying good practice that might be replicated or developed further.
The group agreed that the issue was wider than just communication impairment and that any work needed to encompass the range of disabled people's needs.
Draft recommendation
That the Scottish Executive commissions research into personal communication passports including their current usage and value.
11. Action point 7
SE should set up and maintain a website of good practice on involvement, participation and consulting for involving children, young people and adults with communication support needs
Discussion
It was agreed that this had been discussed under action point 1. It was noted however that the internet was not necessarily accessible particularly for people with learning disabilities or for those living in poverty.
Draft recommendation
None. See recommendation for action point 1 above.
12. Action point 8
Services should ensure a context in which they expect people to be consulted
Discussion
It was agreed that this had been discussed under action point 1.
Draft recommendation
None. See recommendation for action point 1 above.
13. Action point 9
Extend copyright exemption to all people with print disabilities
Discussion
It was recognised that the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002 was reserved. However, there might be scope to look at what could be done in Scotland, in particular in relation to education.
Draft recommendation
That the Scottish Executive should support a symposium to consider the issues around copyright exemption.
14. Action point 10
Develop inclusive communication environments e.g. alternatives to timetables and information in writing
Discussion
It was agreed that this had been discussed under action point 1.
Draft recommendation
None. See recommendation for action point 1 above.
Planning future meetings
15. At its next meeting the group would focus on education and training. A similar table to the one considered at today's meeting would form the basis of discussion. The Executive would expand the sections on what is already happening, in particular in relation to disability equality training.
16. The next meeting would also allow time to go back over the draft recommendations from today's meeting and refine them or add to them as necessary. A list of the draft recommendations is at Annex A.
17. Lionel was unsure whether he would be at the next Core Group meeting on 15 September. If he was then he would report back, if not the Executive would.
Date of next meeting
18. The next meeting of Disability Working Group Satellite Group 3 is on 30 September from 9.30 - 12.30 in Victoria Quay.
Equality Unit
September 2005
Action points
1. Graeme to distribute the Jenny Morris paper on citizenship.
2. Graeme to circulate note of meeting and table on education and training for completion.
3. Satellite Group members to consider the table of education and training recommendations, make additions and add comments and return to Graeme no later than 22 September.
Annex A
Disability Working Group - Satellite Group 3
Draft recommendations on consultation and communication
- That the Scottish Executive should develop practical guidance on inclusive communication and consultation
- That the Scottish Executive should promote the use of the SAIF standards.
- That the Fair for All project should ensure that its work on the access needs of disabled people in relation to the NHS includes communication impairments of all types
- That Scottish Executive media work should be accessible.
- That guidance on involving disabled people should be considered in the context of the new public sector duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
- That the Scottish Executive commissions research into personal communication passports including their current usage and value.
- That the Scottish Executive should support a symposium to consider the issues around copyright exemption.