Minutes of the DPTAC Main Committee Meeting:
14 June 2006
Chair:
Neil Betteridge
DPTAC Members:
Pravinkant Amin
Ann Bates
Sean Bolton
Josephine Clairmont
Vidur Dindayal
Jean Dunlop
Roger Hewitt
Grahame Lawson
Jenny Meadows
Alan Norton
Keith Richards
Carol Thomas
Richard Thomas
Observers:
Lynne Duff - Scottish Executive
Nigel Dotchin - Department for Transport Mobility & Inclusion Unit
Sandra Falconer - Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland
Ian Humes - Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland
Denise Maguire - Department for Transport Mobility & Inclusion Unit
Tim May - Department for Transport Mobility & Inclusion Unit
In Attendance:
Andy Kirby - Secretary
Sandra Duncan - Secretariat
Michael Parsons - Secretariat
Harriet Samuels - Secretariat
Anthony Youngman - (Michael's support worker)
David Hewitt - Interpreter
Ruth Evans - Interpreter
Agenda item 1: Welcome, introductions and apologies
1. DPTAC Chair Neil Betteridge welcomed everyone to the second Main Committee meeting of 2006.
2. The meeting received apologies from DPTAC members David Finnegan, Judith Jesky, Tomi Jones and Katherine Phipps as well as Will Bee from the Disability Rights Commission and Barbara Vincent of the Department for Work and Pensions and Gary Kemp of the secretariat. The meeting agreed to send flowers to Katherine Phipps in sympathy at her recent bereavement.
Action point 1: Secretariat to send flowers to Katherine Phipps on behalf of DPTAC.
Agenda item 2: Minutes of previous Main Committee meeting (1 March 2006)
3. Members approved the amendments subject to the correction of Josie Clairmont's name in the apologies, and the Secretariat would place them on the DPTAC website.
Action point 2: Secretariat to place the minutes of 1 March 2006 Main Committee meeting on the DPTAC website.
Agenda item 3: Matters Arising
4. Neil Betteridge drew members' attention to the further letter from Peter Hendy replying to further points raised with him in connection with his presentation to DPTAC in December 2006. Members expressed continued concern about the audibility of the alarm when ramps were deployed outside "bendy-buses" (the Mercedes-Benz Citaro), and good practice in the event that ramps failed to deploy. They agreed to pursue these with the Transport for London representative on the Bus, Coach and Community Transport Working Group.
5. Grahame Lawson explained that he and the secretariat would be meeting Department for Transport officials the following Monday to follow up the Chair's letter to the Secretary of State on the position paper on Road User Charging which Main Committee had agreed. This was a request for a quote from the Secretary of State to use in the press notice welcoming the launch of the paper.
6. Neil reminded members that they had agreed a response to the Scottish Executive's consultation on the proposed Scottish Public Transport Users' Committee. The Executive's preferred option would have taken DPTAC's sister body the Mobility and Access Committee (MACS) for Scotland into the Scottish Public Transport Users' Committee (PTUC). Both MACS and DPTAC suggested alternative possibilities. He invited the Scottish observers to update the meeting.
7. Sandra Falconer from the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland explained that the Transport Minister Tavish Scott MSP had announced on 9 May that MACS would continue to exist alongside the PTUC, perhaps with a joint secretariat arrangement, and the situation would be reviewed in three years' time. The Orders for the establishment of PTUC had been discussed at the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Transport Committee meeting on 13 June. The proposed operational date was 1 January 2007. Scottish Executive officials would meet the MACS Secretariat on 3 July to discuss how arrangements for a joint secretariat might work. Sandra expressed MACS' thanks to DPTAC for their support in making such a persuasive case.
8. Finally Neil explained that he had written to the Secretary of State as members had requested, advising him that DPTAC would publish Research evaluating the effectiveness of DPTAC's guidance on large passenger ferries and terminals on its website, and asking for a quote for the press notice, and an opportunity to present the findings to him, with a view to a prompt decision on lifting the Part 3 exemption for maritime services.
9. The quotation had just been agreed, and the press notice issued on the day of the meeting. He explained that he and Jean Dunlop, Chair of the Maritime Working Group, would shortly meet Gillian Merron the junior Minister to present and discuss DPTAC's findings.
Action point 3: Bus, Coach and Community Transport Working Group to follow up outstanding issues on the absence of alarms on the outside of "bendy buses" linked to ramp deployment, and procedures in the event of ramp failure.
Agenda item 4: National Forum of Organisations of Disabled People Advisory Group: DPTAC note of 4th meeting on 18 May 2006
10. DPTAC Chair Neil Betteridge invited Ann Bates to report on the meeting she had attended with Andy Kirby. In 2005 the government had consulted on its proposed National Forum of Organisations of Disabled People. The Department for Work and Pensions had made a presentation to DPTAC on the proposals, and DPTAC had responded to the consultation on it. The government has set up an Advisory Body in February 2006 to report (by the summer) on the National Forum's terms of reference, composition and work. The Advisory Group consisted of 12 disabled people and was chaired by Alun Davies of the Group and by Bruce Calderwood, Director of the new Office for Disability Issues.
11. Ann Bates reported that the body had a challenging and wide agenda, and that much was still to be decided. It was not therefore surprising that it had taken so long to reach this point. The Committee did seem keen to acknowledge the work of existing bodies such as DPTAC and the Forum, once established, would probably seek a concordat like that DPTAC had with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland and the Disability Rights Commission. Members agreed that it would be useful to have more information about the membership and work of the body.
Action point 4: Secretariat to circulate the membership of the National Forum of Organisations of Disabled People Advisory Group with these minutes (see Annex 1), and to place further information about the Advisory Group on e-DPTAC.
Agenda item 5: Draft DPTAC Strategy
12. Neil Betteridge reviewed progress to the draft strategy. Members had attended a Strategy Day in December 2005 where they had reviewed how DPTAC should move in order to fulfil its vision and increase the possibility of its future success for the period 2007-20. Members had shared their perceptions of DPTAC, its strengths and weaknesses, the opportunities before it, and possible risks to achieving them. They had then suggested a number of strategic objectives for DPTAC in the 2007-10 period.
13. Members had asked Neil to consider what best to focus on. Key concerns had proved to be that DPTAC should seek to influence the emerging policy agenda within the Department for Transport, rather than prioritise becoming more of a resource to disability organisations with an interest in transport. Also the strategic vision should be separated out from the operational aspects of DPTAC business.
14. Members agreed that the strategy development process had been a valuable one both for developing the strategy itself and as an opportunity to reflect on DPTAC's achievements, effectiveness and potential.
15. The consultation draft itself had broadly succeeded in reflecting the priorities agreed in previous discussions, simplifying the language of previous strategies as far as possible, and clarifying for readers what was and was not strategic. (Some people responding to the previous consultation on a draft strategy had focussed on important but lower level tasks which belonged more to work programmes than to the strategy.)
16. Among the specific issues that members thought could be included were local government as a key partner, and the quality of consultation that DPTAC would be involved in with the government. References to the Rail Passenger Council would need to be changed to Passenger Focus.
17. Members felt that the strategy would need to be supplemented at some point by a business planning document that set out how it would be put into practice through annual work programmes.
18. Members considered that pre-consultation with the Department for Transport officials might help to establish the extent to which the proposed way forward would be welcome, so long as that did not delay consultation unduly. They also felt that a covering letter to consultation participants could draw out the important aspects of what was being consulted on. Members also wanted the document to be as accessible as possible, though they considered that pictures would be less appropriate to this than to the annual report.
Action point 5: Members to feed in any further suggestions on the draft strategy.
Action point 6: Secretary to send draft to Department for Transport officials for comment before issue.
Action point 7: Chair to sign off consultation strategy with a covering letter to those being consulted. Secretariat to circulate draft to consultees in a range of formats and analyse responses for Main Committee.
Agenda item 6: Review of South West Trains Publicity
19. Neil Betteridge said that members would need no reminding of the media publicity that DPTAC experienced at the end of April relating to a DPTAC recommendation on South West Trains' request for an extension to its exemption from certain aspects of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations.
20. The media had not let the facts get in the way of a good story, and Neil outlined the newspaper interest and the radio and TV interviews that Ann Bates and himself had undertaken as part of the response.
21. On 11th May he and Ann Bates had taken part in a conference on "Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and Public Transport: Myth and Reality" at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London where the issue had also been raised.
22. Ann Bates noted that this had been the second attempted extension of a time limited exemption intended to tide a train operator over so they could bring up to standard trains introduced at the time the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations had come into effect. It had been timely to draw a line in the sand, though this might not have been the issue on which DPTAC would have chosen to take a stand. DPTAC had been caught in the crossfire between the leasing company and the line operator. In answer to a question from Roger Hewitt, Ann confirmed that Modern Railways had misquoted John Bengough of the Mobility and Inclusion Unit. In fact future exemptions would be exceptional.
23. Members concluded that DPTAC had emerged with a higher profile and an enhanced reputation for providing sound advice which it is capable of defending in public from subjective attack. The Disability Rights Commission had supported the line taken, and Ministers had not wavered.
Agenda item 7: Mobility and Inclusion Unit Report
24. Neil Betteridge welcomed Nigel Dotchin, Denise Maguire and Tim May to their first DPTAC meetings. All three were in new posts, and Nigel would lead on disability policy for all modes of public transport, including two rail teams; and Denise would lead on other aspects of inclusion, including personal mobility issues such as the Blue Badge Parking Scheme and electric scooters on roads. They would normally appear as a team, alternating with Miranda Carter at Main Committee meetings. Tim would commence work with the Mobility and Inclusion Unit shortly, replacing Sue Sharp.
25. Nigel drew attention to the first rail package of legislation consequent on the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 which would be the subject of consultation very soon, and which the Rail Working Group had been briefed on. The new system should be in place by the end of the year. The Railways for All strategy had been launched and work was taking place on the Access for All fund distribution. Josie Clairmont raised the issue that smaller and rural stations needed to be considered in allocating funds.
26. Ann Bates pointed out that this all required considerable further work for the Rail Working Group, whose members were unpaid volunteers. She also raised the issue of the precedence that the European Technical Standard for Interoperability might have over the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations in setting standards for UK rolling stock, and Nigel reported that research was taking place into this.
27. Nigel also stated that the research on the Air Access Code should be published shortly; He said that ministers would be considering how to take forward taxi regulations shortly.
28. Neil Betteridge expressed DPTAC's disappointment that so little progress had been made on identifying a suitable legislative opportunity to take forward the ministerial commitment to introduce payment for members. Nigel Dotchin undertook to report fully at or before the next meeting on the next stages in bringing forward legislation to ensure that this happened.
29. Denise Maguire reported that Ministers would consider the results of research on the feasibility of a national database for the Blue Badge Parking Scheme, and would need to examine the cost implications before reaching a decision. Ministers would also consider research on the use of scooters on roads, including the possibility of requiring users to carry insurance. No decisions had yet been reached on this. Research on the London Blue Badge exemption might take longer to complete.
30. On railways 180 stations had renewed their secure stations status, and research on staffing options was continuing. Denise regretted that research on the contribution of community transport to social inclusion had taken so long, and a report was expected by the end of August. She undertook to come back with a response on the issue that many parking spaces now did not accommodate the needs of disabled drivers who used vehicles larger than the standard 2.4 metre space could accommodate.
31. On the issue of black and minority ethnic passengers, Denise reported that guidance had been issued last year and now needed to be evaluated. She clarified that this had included the role of transport police but not police in general as that went outside the departmental agenda.
32. Denise reported that the Permanent Secretary had agreed to the make up of a high level steering group on the new disability equality duty, and that DPTAC had been involved in the development of training for staff in the new duty.
Action point 8: Nigel Dotchin to report back on progress in identifying a suitable legislative opportunity to take forward the ministerial commitment to bring in the payment of members.
Action point 9: Denise Maguire to report back on the issue that many parking spaces now did not accommodate the needs of disabled drivers who used vehicles larger than the standard 2.4 metre space could accommodate.
Agenda item 8: Reports for DPTAC Chair and Working Group Chairs
33. The meeting received the usual report from their Chair of DPTAC and Working Group Chairs. In the absence of Katherine Phipps, Neil Betteridge invited DPTAC secretary Andy Kirby to report on progress with Olympic transport, on which she had been leading. The meeting noted the publication of the Government response to Transport Committee report on Olympic Transport "Going for Gold" on 24 May, which stated that DPTAC would be on the Olympic and Paralympic Games Equality and Inclusion Forum.
34. On 2 June there had been a useful meeting between Katherine Phipps and Anna Hamilos, Anna Hirst and Clare Springett of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). This would be followed up by a pre-consultation ODA/DPTAC meeting on 27 June to discuss the draft Olympic Transport Plan, and this would be followed by an ODA presentation of the plan to the September Main Committee during the consultation period. Members agreed that they might wish to consider creating an Olympic Transport Working Group after the September presentation which would give new members chance to become involved.
35. Keith Richards took the opportunity to report on progress with the Aviation Working Group which had taken place since the report had been circulated. A meeting of experts on 19 May had taken forward the toilet specification, and a further meeting was planned for 21 June.
36. A meeting of the European Civil Aviation Conference, a non-regulatory intergovernmental organisation representing 41 European countries, would shortly be considering proposals for training standards provided by the European Disability Forum. The meeting would also consider JAR-OPS, the operational standards whose interpretation had led to some well publicised and questionable exclusions of disabled people from flights, and the new European regulation on the rights of disabled air passengers that was about to be agreed.
Action point 10: Olympic Transport Authority to be invited to make a presentation to the September Main Committee meeting.
Agenda item 9: Report on Work Programme 2006-07
37. Members discussed the first quarterly report on the new work programme. Neil noted that 20 of the 25 tasks were under way and that website hits were increasing, while those to the Mobility and Inclusion Unit were showing the opposite trend. Consultations had included some time consuming ones on EU legislation on passenger rights at sea, the Highway Code revision, and another Transport Committee inquiry, this time into buses, where there might be the opportunity of presenting oral evidence.
38. Sean Bolton and Richard West reported on a meeting to discuss emergency planning in London, in the wake of the bombing incidents. Richard West offered to provide the secretariat with details of a future meeting, which he was not able to attend. Ann Bates noted that rail evacuation exercises often did not include disabled people, and this was sometimes for insurance reasons. Neil Betteridge noted that there were possible links to the disability awareness training research that DPTAC was developing as staff needed to be trained in dealing with disabled people in emergency situations.
39. Members agreed the proposed priorities for the next quarter, to
- Let the contract on the training research project
- Complete the annual report 2005-06, a later agenda item
- Begin consultation on the draft 2007-10 DPTAC Strategy that had been discussed earlier this afternoon
- Seek a Ministerial decision on lifting of the DDA Part 3 Exemption for maritime transport, which had been covered under Matters Arising from the last meeting.
Action point 11: Richard West to provide the secretariat with details of meeting on transport security.
Agenda item 10: Draft Shopmobility Position Paper
40. Grahame Lawson invited members to agree the draft position paper on Shopmobility. He noted that Shopmobility schemes were becoming increasingly important, and that they had been an element of the last two winning schemes for the Institution of Highways & Transportation's accessibility awards. He thanked Pravin Amin and Alan Norton for their work in developing the paper.
41. Ian Humes reported on Shopmobility schemes in Northern Ireland, where the umbrella group had been developing shared membership, i.e. disabled people did not have to subscribe to a number of schemes in different shopping areas.
42. Members expressed support and enthusiasm for this much needed paper which was approved for issue and distribution.
Action point 12: Secretariat to publish and distribute the Shopmobility paper.
Agenda item 11: Draft DPTAC Annual Report
43. Neil Betteridge introduced the plan for the annual report and an outline text. He noted that in the previous year members had agreed that the report should have: a forward from the Secretary of State, a Chair's introduction that summarised the whole report, sections on purpose, organisation and administration, and a main body that went through the work of the various Working Groups, with factual information on membership as an annex.
44. Members discussed the report. They agreed that it should make more use of simple and straightforward language, greater use of illustrations such as photographs of DPTAC's work taken through the year, have an easy-read version of the Chair's introduction, and changes to design such as a separate feedback sheet so it does not need to be torn out of the report.
45. Members wished to take a similar approach in the coming year. They were keen to see the use of appropriate pictures, accessible text, and greater efforts to obtain feedback, including from those downloading the report from the internet or advised of it by e-mail.
Action point 13: Secretariat to circulate a further draft of the annual report for comment and agreement, text with illustrations to be made available on e-DPTAC, and the Chair to sign off the report for publication and distribution.
Agenda item 12: Any Other Business
46. Neil Betteridge noted that the Secretary of State would meet him on 12 July 2006. This will be a "getting to know you" meeting and would not get into detail of specific aspects of detailed policy that junior ministers and officials were dealing with, such as the maritime research, road user charging policy or concessionary fares. He would instead focus on medium and longer term plans, including the strategy.
47. Neil reminded members that he had booked the annual Christmas meal after the 6 December Main Committee meeting at the Riverbank Plaza hotel. Members attending that meeting would be invited to a drinks reception (hosted by a Minister), a meal, and overnight accommodation for those who needed it. Responding to member concerns about the set restaurant meal at the City Inn Westminster last year members would have a buffet style meal at a new venue, and it would be a good opportunity to get to know new DPTAC members.
48. Neil also noted that some member appointments, including his own, finished at the end of June, and Ministers had not yet announced reappointments and new appointments. He did not find this situation satisfactory. However he invited members to thank two current members who had not sought reappointment, Jenny Meadows and Kate Smyth. He reminded them that Jenny had offered to support the new Chair of the Bus, Coach and Community Transport Working Group and he hoped that the group could continue to benefit from her wisdom and experience. He observed that Kate has not been able to attend as many meetings recently as in the past, but members recalled her work on a number of specific projects, notably on the former Built Environment Group. Members thanked the two retiring members.
Date of next Main Committee meeting: 13 September 2006, Great Minster House
DPTAC Secreteriat
July 2006
ANNEX 1
Membership of National Forum of Organsiations of Disabled People Advisory Group members
Alun Davies - Chair
Alun works for North Somerset District Council as an Adult Care Planning Manager in Adult Social Services and Housing.
He studied Social Work and Social Administration at university and (except for 2.5 years as a social worker with disabled children) has been working for disabled people's organisations ever since. His roles have included Centre for Integrated Living project worker, housing worker and manager of West of England Coalition of Disabled People.
He lives with his partner, her son and their daughter, all of whom are disabled people. He is a cricket fanatic, and a big-time Led Zeppelin, Doctor Who and fine-dining fan.
Haqeeq Bostan
Haqeeq Bostan is an independent consultant with an interest in equality and discrimination. He has advised a number of public authorities and agencies on disability equality, Parliamentary affairs and discrimination law. These include the Disability Rights Commission, Transport for London, Greater London Authority, Commission for Racial Equality, Crown Prosecution Service and many local authorities.
Haqeeq has worked with leading organisations to develop and implement policies on equality and diversity, as well as leading grass roots organisations of disabled people. He has used his personal experiences of disability in a positive way to effect change in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Haqeeq is especially interested in using technology to deliver information to disabled people to allow independence, choice and mobility. Prior to his current role he was Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability. He is also trustee of the DARE Foundation.
Rhian Davies
Rhian Davies lives in Cardiff and has worked in the disability movement at national and local level for more than 20 years.
Rhian is Chief Executive of Disability Wales, the national association of disability groups in Wales. She took up appointment in October 2001 and Disability Wales became an organisation 'of' disabled people in 2003.
Rhian was a founder member and subsequently Director of Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People where she set up the first Independent Living Scheme in Wales in 1996. She is Chairperson of the Coalition on Charging Cymru and is currently studying part-time at Cardiff University for the MSc in Equality and Diversity.
James Elder-Woodward
James Elder-Woodward has had life-long experience of physical disability, not only as a service user but as a service provider, planner, commissioner and researcher.
After taking a degree in psychology, he studied health and social welfare in Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Israel and Albania. His career has taken him from the realms of academia to the harsh reality of the NHS, on to central government, the voluntary sector and finally local government.
Before retiring from Glasgow City Council in 1999, he was responsible for the development of independent living services in the city and supported a group of disabled people to establish the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living. He is currently involved in numerous voluntary activities.
Paul Gemmill
Paul Gemmill is Deputy Finance Executive Director of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council - the UK's principal funder of basic and strategic biological research. Before this he was a founding Director of the Disability Rights Commission, responsible for Strategy and Policy and, later, for Operations, including its very successful Helpline.
More recently Paul was Director of Regulation at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Paul is the chair of the Swindon Advice Centre, a new multi-partner project of voluntary organisations, aiming to accessibly deliver a variety of advice services to all parts of the Swindon community.
Kirsten Hearn
Kirsten is an Independent member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and Chair of its Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board. She is a member of the Transport for London Board, where she champions social inclusion. She is a former equality specialist in local government, runs Whole World Design, a successful empowerment coaching and training consultancy and is a stand-up comic, singer, writer, sculptor and broadcaster.
Kirsten Hearn wishes to describe herself as a stroppy, fat, blind dyke (and proud of it). Her mission in life is to promote the rights of disadvantaged people.
Rachel Hurst
Rachel Hurst OBE, is the Director of Disability Awareness in Action, an international information network on disability and human rights.
For nearly 30 years, Rachel has worked locally, nationally and internationally in support of actions to ensure disabled people's rights. She was Chair of the first Centre for Independent Living in London, chaired Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) European Region and was a member of DPI's World Council from 1987-2004. She has worked with the UN and its agencies, governments, academics, policy-makers and the media on research and evidence-gathering and campaigning for social change and the eradication of disablism.
Rowen Jade
As a survivor of mainstream education, Rowen Jade has always been a passionate campaigner for an inclusive education system.
After graduating with a law degree she worked for the Alliance for Inclusive Education, several Centres for Inclusive Living and now as a freelance consultant in disability equality. She specialises in work with young disabled people and has pioneered the setting up of a Personal Assistance Support Scheme in Bristol.
Rowen is also a parent, artist, counsellor, partner and writer and her publications include 'Bigger than the Sky' (an anthology of writing by disabled women on parenting issues), 'Whose Voice is it Anyway?' and 'Creating Independence and Inclusion'.
Andrew Lee
Andrew Lee is the Director of People First (Self Advocacy), a campaigning organisation run and controlled by people with learning difficulties. It has national membership and has influenced Government on a number of key issues.
Andrew has been in the self advocacy movement since 1994. He was a founder member of POWER, the advocacy agency in Hertfordshire, has been an independent lay assessor inspecting residential homes, and a member of North Herts People First for 12 years. He believes the challenge is to make sure that individual people with learning difficulties know their rights and are aware of laws that affect them.
Reg McLaughlin
Reg has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years: he was the Manager of the ICAN and Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability 1st Chance Project, The Chief Executive of Harrow Association of Disabled People and the Chief Executive of The Greater London Action on Disability. He now runs a disability training and management solutions consultancy.
Reg has been a councillor in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for 12 years. For over 11 of those years he has held senior positions in the council. He has been the Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion since May 2003.
Penny Melville-Brown
Penny Melville-Brown's first career was in the Royal Navy, as a Commander and barrister, until losing her sight in 1999. She is now a consultant on disability issues and holds several public appointments.
She is a founding Director of Disability Dynamics, chairs the Diversity Works Partnership and Business Ability, and directs Diversity Means Business. She recently evaluated a Cabinet Office project and is an Associate of the Employers' Forum on Disability. Penny advises University for Industry (UfI), Government Office for the South East (GOSE) and Centrex, the Central Police Training and Development Authority on diversity topics.
She sits on the Board of HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions Standards Committee, the European Briefing Unit Social Policy Commission, and chaired a local Learning and Skills Council.
Diane Mulligan
Diane Mulligan is an Employment Diversity Consultant, working with businesses in Sussex to promote the benefits of employing more people with disabilities.
She established the Sussex Amputee Support Group in 2005, when she returned to the UK after working in Asia for nearly five years.
Diane also set up a support group for parents of children with special needs in Indonesia after working as Country Director for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). A key component of Diane's work with VSO was a regional advocacy programme, working with disabled people's organisations, government partners and the private sector in Thailand and Indonesia.
Richard Rieser
As a disabled teacher, Richard taught for 25 years in primary, secondary, further education and, lastly, as an Advisory Teacher for Inclusion in the London Borough of Hackney (until April 2001).
Since April 2002 he has been full-time Director of Disability Equality in Education (DEE), a small but hugely effective charity with a national network of over 160 disabled freelance trainers, who train staff for inclusion in schools and colleges.
Richard has delivered training and consultancy across the UK and around the world and devised and developed many training programmes. He was the founder of 1 in 8 Group and Raspberry Ripple Awards that sought to change the way disabled people are portrayed in the mainstream media.
For 11 years (1990-2002) Richard was Chair of the Alliance for Inclusive Education. He is the Vice-Chair of the Council for Disabled Children. He is also Vice-Chair of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) Disability Working Party and of the NUT Special Needs Committee and a member of Trade Union Congress Disability Committee. Between 1997 and 2001, Richard was a Member of the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs, which wrote the Green Paper 'Excellence for All' and the 'Programme of Action.'
Richard is author of 'Disability Equality in the Classroom - A Human Rights Issue,' 'Altogether Better,' 'Invisible Children', Disability Equality in Education course books: 'Disabling Imagery'and 'All Equal All Different' and numerous articles. He has collaborated on several TV programmes, including Channel 4's 'Count Me In'. A more recent project is 'Making It Work: Removing Disability Discrimination' (2002), and Richard led the Reasonable Adjustments Project for DfES (2003-2005).
Richard is currently (2005-6) the UK representative on European Disability Forum and Chair of Economic and Social Policy Committee, and represents the British Council of Disabled People at the United Nations negotiations for a convention on the Rights of Disabled People.
[further details at www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm]
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