December 2006

Sumara Hussain, Disability Adviser at the University’s Equality & Diversity Office contacted us in the summer to enquire about a deaf awareness course for herself. After speaking to HearFirst she decided to arrange an in house course not only for herself but for 13 colleagues as well! Not only that, she roped them in for an accredited course which meant a dreaded end of day exam! This is what she had to say:

‘Thanks so much for the Deaf Awareness Training, everyone loved it! I’ve had such good feedback; it’s good to see people going away with thoughts on how they can improve their services! I will definitely recommending you to colleagues. Hopefully we will all have passed the exam and we can arrange for you to come down and present them yourself.’

Well I am confident of good results and have taken my best suit to the dry cleaners already in anticipation of a certificate presentation in the near future!

Nov 06

New disability legislation comes into force in December.  Are you ready?

As from 4 December 2006, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) will impose a Disability Equality Duty on organisations across the public sector, requiring them to proactively promote disability equality rather than simply react to the individual needs of disabled people.

In addition to the General Duty, the majority of public authorities will be subject to further Specific Duties, which will include a requirement to produce and publish a Disability Equality Scheme by 4th December 2006.

For up to date information on the Duty and advice on what you need to do click here 

Tuesday, 7 November 2006

Almost 60 staff from Mosscare Housing Ltd attended a series of half day Disability Awareness in Action courses. Based in Moss Side in Manchester, Mosscare is a charitable, not for profit housing association committed to communities and neighbourhoods. Several staff wished to gain an update on information; others came along because they wanted more information about the Disability Discrimination Act and how this applies to their job role. As always all the tutors at HearFirst enjoyed the days, and all the delegates agreed their personal objectives had been met. Here are some comments from the sessions:

“Very informative, interesting and enjoyable course” – Marilyn Evans

“My personal objectives have been met, and I will look at things differently from now on” – Yvonne Clarke

This was a successful run of courses – thanks to all at Mosscare for your positive comments and the friendly welcomes we received! Following on from these initial courses Mosscare plans to roll out more in depth training to customer facing staff in the New Year.

October 2006

HearFirst launches a new combined course to raise awareness of Legislation and Discrimination. 

The new course brings together different strands of equality into one action packed workshop.  The course can be tailored for individual organisations. Rossendale Borough Council are currently enjoying a series of courses which aim to raise awareness of both legislation and new internal policies in relation to Age, Bullying and Sex Discrimination.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

HearFirst is pleased to support Amy Stathers during her 3 month trip to Jamaica. Amy is working with Deaf schools and communities to improve educational facilities and opportunities for Deaf children and youths. Please click on this link to view her web site and for further details.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

13 staff from OMBC’s Adult and Community Care Services attended our 1 day course ‘Introduction to Deaf Awareness and Communication Tactics’

For some delegates the course was a refresher and for others it was new information. Several delegates admitted to being a little anxious at the start of the course but we all settled down by morning brew time! We understand that some people do find training courses quite an ordeal. Part of our job is to ensure everyone gets the most out of the day and to do that delegates need to be relaxed.

Joanne Rudd who attended the course summed it up. ‘The course was facilitated well. The tutors made me feel confident and comfortable – it was fun. Thank you for the information and knowledge.’

………and thank you Joanne for your kind comments – your tenner is in the post!

10th May 2006

United Response (UR) supports people with learning disabilities or mental health needs to have the things they want and need in their lives. They are a national registered charity that works through local services.

Karen Routledge’s team in Carlisle support a man with learning difficulties who is also Deaf and uses British Sign Language. We were able to deliver a tailored 1 day course to some of the support staff which will ease day to day communication difficulties.

Chris Earle who attended the course said ‘A really good training day, very entertaining and useful to my work with clients.’ Greg Glaister also found the course ‘excellent and well delivered.’

3rd April 2006

We are pleased to announce the launch of our sister company TalkFirst. The aim of TalkFirst is to provide fun classes to babies with adults, encouraging them to bond and helping them to learn how to communicate together more effectively at an earlier stage. Children develop the ability to communicate non-verbally long before they can communicate vocally, and learning to sign together may boost the child's self esteem and gear them up to start acquiring language skills at an earlier stage. There is also a social aspect to the classes which the parents and children alike will benefit from. Visit www.talkfirst.net for more details.

29th March 2006

Ashton Pioneer Homes is a medium sized housing associated based in Tameside. A mixed group of residents, managers and staff attended our 1 day Disability Awareness in Action Course. All feedback was positive and each delegate was able to suggest ways to improve services for disabled people which related to their particular role. E.g.
‘I will evaluate literature we have available. ‘
‘I am much more aware of the needs of disabled people and can include them into our policies.’
‘I will be more aware and have more understanding and patience.’
‘The course was good – I will consider more accessibility to jobs and recruitment.’

15th March 2006

20 members of staff from NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales) attended our lively half day Introduction to British Sign Language workshop. This course not only teaches delegates thebasics of signing their name and good morning etc but also gives an insight into the history of British Sign Language and the people who use it today.

‘Probably the first workshop I have learnt something AND will be able to use what I have learnt. It has made me more confident about using BSL. The whole team should attend – compulsory training.’

‘I am strongly considering taking the training further and enrolling on a BSL course.’

‘The Bingo game was a brilliant learning tool.’

We are pleased you like the Bingo game – it is our favourite part of the course, but be warned tensions can run high!

7th March 2006

The Imperial War Museum North wanted to improve communication and awareness towards museum visitors who used British Sign Language. We delivered an excellent workshop and another is planned for May 06.

‘Really enjoyed this training – tutors were excellent, very positive and enthusiastic.’

‘Brilliant learned a lot – feel I have basic tools to prepare myself for a situation in which I can offer assistance to a Deaf person.’

‘Tutors were friendly and excellent at their job. Would recommend them to any organisation wanting to learn basic BSL – Thanks.’

Thanks to everyone at the Museum for their kind remarks – these are genuine comments readily offered by course delegates (we didn’t bribe them too much – just chocolate, wine and a timeshare in Tenerife!!!)

16th February 2006

Progress Housing Group is based in Leyland, Lancashire. During February and March 06, 33 members of staff attended Disability Awareness Training. This is what they said:

‘I wish the training could have been longer – it was very interesting and informative.’

‘I would recommend this course to colleagues – the training was focused and well thought out. Delivered by people who lived first hand with some of the issues and not just talking from text books.

‘Excellent presentation and very amusing!’

We are not sure which bit Sue Harrison (Head of Housing Support) was referring to there but we do like to have fun at work and enjoy what we do!!

1st February 2006

Oldham College continues their rolling program of half day disability awareness courses for all staff. It is interesting to know what their teaching staff think of our course delivery and methods. Here are some comments from today’s course.

• Les Liversidge - ‘Good, well structured and professionally delivered session.
• Joanne Draper – ‘Great delivery of what could have been a heavy subject.
• Emma Jenkins – ‘Excellent learning experience.

9th January 2006

Lauren Higginson is responsible for the smooth running of the roll out of HearFirst courses across the council. She’s been intending to come on the course herself for the past 12 months but the demand for places has been so high, there wasn’t room. We were pleased to have her on our first course of 2006 and this is what she said.

‘I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the course yesterday - not that I didn’t expect it to be good!! I thought it was ‘spot on’ - covered everything that an ‘awareness’ course should cover. I must admit that I do usually switch off at times during courses but you and Ash kept me interested for the whole day.’

New disability definition protects thousands from discrimination

From 5 December 2005, new rights extend legal protection against disability discrimination to thousands more people.

Some quarter of a million more people now have protection under disability discrimination laws, effectively from the point they are diagnosed with cancer, multiple sclerosis or HIV, and closing a major loop hole in the law.

In addition, people with mental health conditions will no longer have to prove their condition is "clinically well-recognised" to use their rights under the DDA. As for those with physical impairments, they only need to prove that it has a 'substantial impact' on their lives.

Other new duties make it unlawful for local authorities and private clubs to treat their disabled members less favourably. From December 2006, a new public sector duty will require all public bodies in Britain to lead by example and integrate disabled people in their policy-making from the outset as well as to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. This is similar to existing duties under race legislation and will be an important driver to achieve equality for millions of disabled people.

Details on the new legislation are available from www.drc-gb.org

HearFirst is being talked about again!

Karen Gregson, (Learning Support Co-ordinator in Education & Lifelong Learning Department at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council) commissioned a 1 day disability awareness in action training course and received this email from a delegate the day after…….
 
‘Hello Karen,  I just wanted to congratulate you for yesterday's event. I thought it went really well. I put "excellent" down for everything on the evaluation form.  I do not know how you found out about the 'HearFirst' organisation but well done! 
I wasn't the only one to be impressed, Sarah Watson felt the same way.’

Further courses went on to be booked in 2006

Eyes opened at South Derbyshire District Council!

Jackie Young who attended the 1 day course Disability Awareness in Action on 31st October said:

‘My eyes have been opened today and the day has allowed me to look at how I have dealt with my customers fro SDDC. Looking at different types of disabilities helped me to focus on making improvements in my role at SDDC. I will use what I have learnt in every aspect of my job, speaking on the phone, meeting my customers and in written communication.’

SDDC went on to commission a further 2 days disability awareness training in February 2006, following the positive feedback received after the initial course.

Friday, September 16, 2005

If you are wondering if a HearFirst British Sign Language Course is what your organisation needs then take a look at the comments from staff at Huddersfield University who attended a 1 day introductory course last week.

‘An excellent day, tailored exactly right for our needs. Have learnt a lot today and will attempt to maintain the signs used.’

‘Today has given me the incentive to enrol on a BSL course that I have intended to do for the last 2 years. Many thanks for an enjoyable day.’

‘Thank you so much – the day was presented in a very professional manner, yet we all felt immediately at ease due to your very friendly and relaxed teaching methods.’

‘I cannot thank you enough for giving me what you have given me today.’

‘The course was excellent, I learned much more than I expected. I am keen to learn more and put signing into practice – thank you.’

Friday, September 16, 2005

61 Learning Support staff from Myerscough College are disability aware thanks to 4 half day sessions which ran simultaneously on 8th September.

The training proved to be a positive start to the new College year and staff left the sessions keen to make real changes for disabled students.

Jenny Walker, a Communication Support Worker at Myerscough, said after the session that she would be more patient towards students with disabilities, be more understanding and more positive. She said, ' I came, I learnt, I benefited!’

Val Senior who booked the training with HearFirst said after the event ‘Thanks again for the training day – I have had some good feedback. I shall let senior management know how useful it was and encourage them to book you for other staff sessions. Hope to see you again soon, Val.

Prowess, the website that promotes women's enterprise, has named HearFirst's Julie Ryder their Inspiration of the Month

(June 27, 2005)

Street Cleaning team
on Disability Awareness RBC

Everybody really enjoyed yesterday. Thanks from one and all to you and Ash. It was nice to hear the lads saying they found a course really interesting for a change!! 
Christine Chadderton, Line Manager

(April 2005)