RNID CEO and the Iran Link....

Should we be encouraging this woman as an CEO of a deaf and HI charity ? History, When Jackie Ballard became MP for Taunton in 1997, it quickly became apparent that Mrs Ballard was on the far Left of the Liberal Democrats (A loony fringe of British politics, with no values.and just joined the conservative party). She was spokesman for women's issues, vent-big her radical feminist views. She stood, unsuccessfully, as a candidate for the party leadership in 1999, losing three stone after opponents cited her weight as one obstacle to her becoming leader.

On losing her seat, Mrs Ballard took herself off to Iran; with her £25,000 redundancy cheque from the taxpayer, to do a PhD on the effect of the Internet on Iranian society. She was apparently drawn to Iran after having an affair with an Iranian student at the LSE in the Sixties. Of her more recent visit, she said: 'I am reliably informed that Iranian men see it as their duty to make sure their wives are satisfied in bed -not a responsibility, I think many British men are familiar with.' She was also favourably impressed with Iranian 'democracy', despite the regime's well-documented links with Al Qaeda and other terrorists.

Ooops. Iran a democracy (Much like the RNID then...)

You think the deaf community would have learnt after this shambolic episode... of her last executive position...

"THE RSPCA Is in turmoil after a failed politician with no business experience was handed its top job on Sunday. Although originally rejected for the post, Jackie Ballard, 49, was appointed director-general, with a salary of £90,000, after a selection procedure that has been branded 'shambolic'. One senior member of the charity's ruling council has resigned and written the charity out of her will in protest. More are expected to follow."

No wonder the RNID just advertised for an fully experienced bullsh*tter to put spin on her re-branded charity.... you need it luv, perhaps giving deaf people a free stick on full-length beard might help....

More foot in mouth quotes: Said Ballard, on being handed the RNID top spot.... "Of course, if there was an equally capable candidate who was deaf, the job should have gone to them. But the trustees have a responsibility to appoint the person they think best suits the role, and they thought that was me." Modest as well.... except there were no deaf candidates !

Free from deaf contaminents ?

Deaf people not accepted as blood donors.

More blood donors are needed on many hospitals. Despite this, deaf people are refused to donate blood in the district of Dalarna reports Swedish radio. The claimed reason is that the interpreter must be a specialist and most interpreters fail to qualify due to the regulations. According to the county of Dalarna, the system will be changed in this aspect.

What IS About.Com, about ?

I'd like to respond to about.com regarding this statement. "Late-deafened people have one advantage that very young deaf children do not. They can make the choice whether to learn sign language or speak only."

As late deafened I do not agree with us being compared to born deaf children or, having real 'advantages' over them, it is entirely relative and non-comparable. Please about.com, do not use us as political footballs for culture and sign. I responded with this comment...


"I would differ, children learn a lot easier and quicker because of their youth, older people who go deaf also do NOT 'select' which mode to use, again it depends on a number of factors, ability being the main issue. Choose to speak ? late deafened are ex-HEARING and acquired speech ! Choose to use it ? we HAVE to. Lifestyle and social also are major factors. NOT Issues deaf children are faced with. We do NOT Have any 'advantage' over a child, indeed many of us suffer acute depression poor mental health and isolation as well as breakdowns, you combine that with split families and losing friends/work too, then communication can become academic as well. I lip read a bit, sign a bit, guess a LOT ! that's our 'choices', ask any of us late deafened.

We also have NO educational support system of communication as adults, denied because we speak..... a deaf child will have years of that support, just a rag, tag and bobtail piecemeal arrangement, determined by where you live, often, we have nothing at all. Using us as an example with born deaf children is comparing apples with elephants. We cannot be compared with born deaf adults either, we are the 'third' way."

I thought About.com was 'about' awareness ?

Assistance Dogs, access is a right for them too..

Deaf CV's ..... pro's and Con's

Another CV. Reasons in favour of mentioning your deafness in your resume, my shortest interview was "What size boots do you take ?" really !

(1) Always mention your deafness along with technical and organisational means you use, for overcoming it. The prospective employer then has opportunity to learn something. This will benefit you and your fellow deaf in the long run. (You blew it..... he wants an employee not a walking soap box). you also deny him/her her the patronising gig, a sure loser....

(2) You inform the employer that you CAN do the job in spite of your deafness, provided that he makes the requested accommodations, (including your own 50" plasma HD3DTV, free tickets to the cinema, and every other week off to attend deaf rally's), if he doesn't, yell discrimination, and sue his ass off).

(3) Weed out prospective employers who are not keen to the idea of employing a disabled person. Watch out for those who install rope ladders to deter wheelchair applicants, or whisper through letter boxes in the next room to you, etc. You don't want to waste time being interviewed by such employers. This leaves you with three choices, register permanent disability and clean up on top-rated disability allowances, stack supermarket shelves, or clean out factory toilets out for minimum wage..

(4) Demonstrate maturity by not looking for just any job, but stating at the outset what you need to be successful in the job, and if the employer won't put up or cough up, again sue his ass off.

(5)If Israeli, you should explain why you didn't serve in the army (Saying you're a free-lance gentile or member of Al Fartah is valid).

(6)Demonstrate your resourcefulness - you had a big handicap and despite being surrounding by hearing idiots, brain-dead audistic employers who dribbled, and fundamentalist Deaf Ku-Klux-Klan, you overcame it. You'll then be able to overcome the challenges of your job, (doesn't apply if the job lacks any challenges, which applies to 90% of jobs deaf get offered, the other 10% require hearing).

(7)You may already be famous, use it, (Perhaps played silly mute bystander number 4 in I love Lucy, or was blasted by the Terminator, perhaps you were interviewed in the mass communications media (talked about on Twitter or facebook as a loser doesn't count), about your hearing impairment, and told them how you overcame it and managed to lead a more-or-less normal life, in spite of being asked downright ridiculous and patronisingly stupid and inane questions while they spoon fed you regurgitated beaver liver.

(8)You do not have to be awkward when explaining why you are not available for ordinary phone conversations (Just sitting there nodding like some toy dog at the back of an car window, should be clue enough), and why the prospective employer must use alternate means (such as FAX, E-mail, sempahore, Skype, web captel, TTY/TDD, SMS carrier pigeons, or your cousin Arthur (after 6pm)) for contacting you for the purpose of scheduling an interview.

------------------------------
Reasons against mentioning your deafness in your resume

(1)The purpose of your resume is to get an interview for you. The employer wants to know what you can do for him, not vice versa. Mentioning your deafness defeats this purpose, just PRETEND you are hearing, act stupid, and say you're also raising cash for charity, by pretending you can't hear, this will explain away the fact your pockets are filled with baked beans and custard, (and you could tap him for a donation as well, so it's not a complete loss and the taxi fare gets covered).

(2) Face-to-face meeting is better than written information in dispelling preconceived images. (Don't overdo the make up with too much mascara, or wear a very short mini-skirt, or purple flashing hair extensions, popular perception, is most men don't do this for job interviews, especially if the job is hod carring on a building site.

(3) An employer is scanning your resume (The ones that can read will anyway, the others will hire a 5 yr old to do it, or pretend to be intelligent, give-aways are they hold the CV upside down, and move their fingers along the page mouthing the words etc), to find out what you can *do* for him. At that moment, he is not interested in knowing what you *want* from him (Does the organ grinder ask the monkey what flavour pretzels he likes ?), Also avoid, "I have to get in WHAT time of the afternoon ? THREE hours a day ! yo man, slavery it be dead know wot I mean ?" Etc.

(4) If the job you are applying for doesn't involve lots of contact with other persons, then deafness is truly irrelevant to that job. Alternatively, why not go self employed as a deaf advisor to yourself ? and apply to some community funded rights gig, to fund your wages, under 'cultural awareness' and coin it ?

What they say, about DLA...

The Association of Disabled Professionals provide support and advice on employment and self employment issues to disabled people and their peers. We comment on the DLA consultation as follows:

What are the problems or barriers that prevent disabled people participating in society and leading independent, full and active lives?

We note the following:

"Many disabled people in Britain are living socially isolated, cash-strapped lives and struggling to participate in normal activities." Life Opportunities Survey, Office of National Statistics, December, 2010 There is not a level playing field for disabled people. Statistics show that disabled people and their families are poorer than their peers and have less access to education, training and jobs because of discrimination and barriers in society. Therefore they are more reliant on benefits and services than other sections of the population.

This is a very wide ranging question – There is no standard answer as different people have different support needs. The following list is not exhaustive. However we suggest the following:

1. Not having aids and adaptations meeting their requirements – Some of the equipment offered by the NHS and social services is not fit for that particular person’s requirements, or not available free on loan from the organisations.

2. Not being able to get out of bed, get washed and dressed, feeding, preparing a meal, toileting, overnight support, gardening, shopping, cleaning the house, laundry, walking the dog, not able to take medication, unable to take phone calls.

3. Not being able to get around - environment is inaccessible. Having to use taxis instead of inaccessible buses to get around. No transport near at hand or outside their front door. This prevents people from going to the doctors, college, visiting friends/family, shopping, going to the post office, pub, theatre.

Is there anything else about Disability Living Allowance (DLA) that should stay the same? There is nothing wrong with DLA.

What are the main extra costs that disabled people face?

This is again a very wide ranging question – There is no standard answer as different people have different support needs. The following list is not exhaustive. However we suggest the following

(1) to buy aids and adaptations meeting their requirements – Often the equipment offered by the NHS and social services is not fit for that person’s requirements, or not available free on loan from the organisations. Often those who do not qualify for help from social services have to buy them. Maintenance costs of the equipment have to be paid for. The electrical consumption of using and charging up the equipment costs money. Adapting their homes. Buying computers to ensure no isolation in communication for deaf people and those who have visual, speech and dexterity impairments. Dexterity issues of mobile phones. These items require replacement after a while and they cost money. Additionally, as many items require additional assistive technology/adaptations to meet the person’s individual requirements, the cost is often exaggerated by suppliers as they know that it is a niche market and that disabled people have no choice but to pay the extra money or go without essential equipment.

(2) Those entitled and not entitled to social services support buy in their own support to help get into/out of bed, get washed and dressed, feeding, preparing a meal, toileting, overnight support, gardening, listening to a telephone call, writing notes, envelopes, walking the dog.

(3) Disabled people often face additional costs in relation to consumption of fuel. For example, they may need to do additional laundry, heating the home in cold weather all day, charging equipment, etc. There are also additional costs in relation to purchasing clothes/shoes more frequently (due to falls, gait, etc.) and buying prepared food, e.g. diced vegetables, prepared meals, etc. if they are unable to prepare a meal unassisted.

(4) For getting around, buying a car (Mobility), buying a wheelchair, paying for a taxi which costs more than the bus. Further, they may require money to pay someone else to support the person for getting around, enabling people to go to the doctors, college, shopping, visit friends family, post office and social activities. Public transport ( i.e. buses and trains) is not right outside one’s home and most manual wheelchair users are not strong enough to push themselves so rely on someone to push them or buy a scooter/car/powered wheelchair. This also applies to others with limited mobility, e.g. people who use crutches, walking frames or who have difficulty in walking any distance.

The new benefit will have two rates for each component:-

Will having two rates per component make the benefit easier to understand and administer, while ensuring appropriate levels of support? The benefit should be no harder to obtain than it is at present.

What, if any, disadvantages or problems could having two rates per component cause? No one should lose out. Different people with different impairments need support in different ways. As at present, the distinction between who is entitled to support and at what rate is the crucial factor that needs to be established. Each person is an individual and these individual needs need to be addressed.

Should some health conditions or impairments mean an automatic entitlement to the benefit,or should all claims be based on the needs and circumstances of the individual applying?

With the exception of sudden terminal illness as already defined there should be no automatic entitlement to this benefit for NEW DLA/PIP applicants. In the current economic climate if and when the PIP is introduced assessments/reviews should not apply to those whose impairments have not changed or will not change. To send a healthcare professional to everyone’s home to give the client the same award as previously is not cost effective. Administrative costs have to be included - Doctors charge in the region of £250-£500 per hour for doing the assessment. At £250/hr this would be better spent on 5 weeks support at £50/week enabling a disabled person to remain in their own homes.

How do we prioritise support to those people least able to live full and active lives? Which activities are most essential for everyday life?

Support for:getting in and out of bed; getting washed and dressed; feeding; preparing a meal; toileting; overnight support; gardening; listening to or making a telephone call; writing notes, envelopes; reading mail; walking the dog; hiring a sign language interpreter; communicating with others, through face to face contact/phone/email, etc. For getting around: buying a car (Mobility); buying a wheelchair; paying for a taxi which costs more than the bus. Someone else to support the person for getting around: getting to work/college; going to the cinema, swimming.

Disabled people are often isolated and not able to engage in social activities, which is not appropriate for their health and mental wellbeing.

How can we best ensure that the new assessment appropriately takes account of variable and fluctuating conditions?

Proper recruitment and training of PIP staff and assessors needs to be undertaken. Face to face training should be given by people with variable and fluctuating impairments and other disabled people. On-line training is not effective as there is no interaction and real understanding of disabled people themselves. No false assumptions made by staff. Assessments should not be rushed.

Should the assessment of a disabled person’s condition take into account any aids and adaptations they use?

No. Disabled people are the experts. Aside they may or not be suitable. Many people have been given aids and adaptations which were subsequently found to be totally unsuitable. In these economic times it is a waste of money.

What aids and adaptations should be included? None

Should the assessment only take into account aids and adaptations where the person already has them or should we consider those that the person might be eligible for and can easily obtain?

No, the equipment suggested on a one off appointment may be unsuitable for the person using it. It may not be available in the area or there may be a long waiting list. These facts makes this question invalid and unsustainable in the first place. The assessment should not be centred around the adaptations. E.g. S/hes got a wheelchair therefore no PIP. The ability to push oneself etc has to be considered. The question needs to be asked who is paying for the adaptation/ aid and maintenance, some of which is very specialised.

How could we improve the process of applying for the benefit for individuals and make it a more positive experience? For example: • How could we make the claim form easier to fill in?

Availability of on-line application – Computer generated applications and accessible for all as some disabled people are unable to write or see the form and have to ask family to complete it for them. Family members may not be able to help for weeks. Some applicants currently have to copy the questions on the computer and in reviews this form would be updated accordingly. It would save a lot of paper and environmental issues and above all money. No-one should be excluded – Paper, audio copies and whatever other means should also be available. This could be kept on line and then sent to the disabled person for review.

How can we improve information about the new benefit so that people are clear about what it is for and who is likely to qualify?

By itemising the impairment related costs they may incur.

What supporting evidence will help provide a clear assessment of ability and who is best placed to provide this?

The disabled person, members of the family, support workers, care managers. Trust has to be respected. Previous application forms. Anecdotal evidence says there is far less fraud in DLA than in other benefits such as housing. An important part of the new process is likely to be a face-to-face discussion with a healthcare professional.

• What benefits or difficulties might this bring?

No-one likes being examined by a benefits officer. Many people have been through the process many times before and will question why they have to go through it again particularly if the impairment is permanent and the impairment is not changing. With the current economic climate saving money is also an objective surely the necessity for a review should be considered – It will cost more to assess everyone. Pressure on the applicant as in the ESA applications – not thinking of everything, The professional sees only what you are like on that day (it may be a “good day” for the individual) and may not have enough knowledge of the person’s individual needs . We may as well have the online 54 page application form to complete anyway. Only new and borderline review applicants may be visited.

Are there any circumstances in which it may be inappropriate to require a face-to-face meeting with a healthcare professional – either in an individual’s own home or another location?

When a review is considered a waste of time as the person’s impairment has not changed and will not change except for the ageing process. In these economic times when cost is considered in some cases the cost of sending a doctor may not be value for money especially if the doctor assesses the client to be on the same benefit. Additionally, when someone meets the highest threshold for benefit, but continues to deteriorate, it is a pointless exercise to continually reassess them.

How should the reviews be carried out? For example:

• What evidence and/or criteria should be used to set the frequency of reviews?

• Should there be different types of review depending on the needs of the individual and their impairment/condition?

The criteria should be set on whether or not the impairment will remain stable. For example some people’s impairments will not change during their lifetime except for the ageing process. We do not understand why the current system of DLA reviews is not considered. The current system allows the individual and the DWP to initiate a review periodically. The system for Personal Independence Payment will be easier for individuals to understand, so we expect people to be able to identify and report changes in their needs. However, we know that some people do not currently keep the Department informed.

How can we encourage people to report changes in circumstances?

A reminder in different typecast in the annual letter sent. A separate reminder in the annual letter sent. No threat of automatic removal of benefits as different professionals have different opinions.

What types of advice and information are people applying for Personal Independence Payment likely to need and would it be helpful to provide this as part of the benefit claiming process?

What the health professional is likely to ask in relation to their impairment and other details, which is why they are applying!! It would be a better idea to have the 54 page form to complete so that nothing is omitted.

Could some form of requirement to access advice and support, where appropriate, help encourage the minority of claimants who might otherwise not take action? If so, what would be the key features of such a system, and what would need to be avoided ?

This may be difficult to achieve as it may put people off rather than encouraging them to apply.

How do disabled people currently fund their aids and adaptations?

Aids and adaptations are sometimes funded by the local authority and NHS. However some people are not funded by the local authority and rely on DLA, family and charitable trusts to get money for aids. Some of the most appropriate aids are not available from the state and so have to be bought by disabled people using DLA and other sources.

Should there be an option to use Personal Independence Payment to meet a one-off cost?

Yes. This should be the choice of the Disabled person. The option is available on DLA. E.G. buying a stairlift has the additional annual maintenance costs of servicing and call outs to be paid for.

What are the key differences that we should take into account when assessing children?

Listening to parents; Growing up; getting heavier to carry; needs change. Assessments carried out more frequently to take this into account. The prime minister should be able to advise.

How important or useful has DLA been at getting disabled people access to other services or entitlements? Are there things we can do to improve these passporting arrangements?

The mobility part of DLA can be useful for getting a blue badge for car parking – This should be automatic. The warm front scheme is only useful if your heating has broken not if it’s not energy efficient e.g. if the existing system is 25- 30 years and if you would benefit from additional insulaton and draught exclusion. This policy could leave the person with no heating for several weeks in very cold weather.

What would be the implications for disabled people and service providers if it was not possible for Personal Independence Payment to be used as a passport to other benefits and services?

More bureaucratic assessments.

What different assessments for disability benefits or services could be combined and what information about the disabled person could be shared to minimise bureaucracy and duplication?

Disabled people should be able to do and keep a ‘CV’ which can be updated as their impairment changes and this could be used to avoid duplication. This would enable disabled people to have readily available information with regard to other potential support/equipment needs, e.g. for Access to Work support.

What impact could our proposals have on the different equality groups (our initial assessment of which is on page 28) and what else should be considered in developing the policy? Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the proposals in this public consultation?

The winners of this new benefit will not be disabled people and their families receiving up to £96 per week but the healthcare professionals lining their pockets with billions from the assessments carried out at £250-£500 /per hour and/or residential care homes charging up to £2000 per week.

Disabled people are not fraudsters. They are amongst the poorest of the poor. It is non disabled people who are caught claiming benefits that give us a bad name. Indeed, we often find that people who contact us for assistance have not claimed any benefits (including DLA) as they do not want to appear as “scroungers” despite the fact that they would certainly be entitled to DLA.

Yawn (Another new dawn)....

Much as I yearn to rejoin the ranks of the hearing populace, I can't help being bored witless by the never-ending publications of imminent 'cures' for the deaf, and re-aligning their perilous rogue and defective genes. Here is yet another 'cure' (That's 59 now in the last 10 years), that has so far failed to do anything but make deaf look negative, and be likened to rats and mice.... I blame the deaf liking for cheese myself.....

A British scientist is claiming a major breakthrough which could restore hearing to 70 per cent of deaf people. He says the treatment - which involves injecting live human embryo cells into the ears of victims could be available within three to five years. So far the technique has been carried out using only mice. Now researchers are ready to move to the next stage where they will take human embryonic cells and turn them into hearing cells.

The pioneering work has been carried out by Professor Matthew Holley of Bristol University Medical School. He will reveal details at a conference in London. He has taken immature cells from the ears of ten- day-old mouse embryos. They are frozen and then later warmed so that they convert into hearing cells. Professor Holley plans a similar process with human embryo cells. 'These will stimulate damaged hearing nerves to grow and begin to function again,' he said.

He stressed that a continuous supply of human embryos would not be needed. 'Once we have taken cells from an embryo, we can carry on growing those cells to meet all our needs,' he said. 'Initially, the cell implants would work with electronic cochlear implants that are currently used to restore and improve hearing to some deaf people. But the eventual aim is to develop cells that could correct hearing by themselves.' He said the implants, which stimulate the auditory nerve, work very well in a limited way but cannot be given to the long-term deaf because their nerves have degenerated too far.

'Replacement nerve cells would improve the electrical contact between the implant and the brain,' he said. 'This opens up the prospect of making implants more effective and using them on a much wider scale. 'It will be a significant step forward to help the millions who have no hearing or very poor hearing. But we will not be able to help all nine million people in the UK who have hearing impairment - for instance those without any hearing nerves.' Professor Karen Steel of the Medical Research Council's Institute of Hearing Research said: 'This is a very significant development although we mustn't raise false hopes in the short term.

'If all goes well it will mean new hope for many people who at present cannot be helped at all. We will be able to restore hearing loss and prevent deafness in people who are slowly losing the ability to hear.' About one in child in every 200 is born deaf due to faulty genes. Tests have recently been developed which can check for hearing loss in the womb.

LINK

For or Against John Egbert ?

John Egbert's latest blog again adopts the persona of Don Quixote tilting endlessly at the Windmills of the evil mainstream society (With a side salad of digs at deaf.read and anyone within text range), whilst still preventing any comment response, so he knows all about democracy.

To get people onside, you need to engage presumably with them, not just hurling insults over some deaf wall at them. 'Them and US' (When US is other deaf people), is taking paranoia a bit far I think, and a very thinly-veiled attack on Candy wasn't even subtle. As John appears to sign himself off as bi-lingual, I can't really see where he is coming from, we re-hash these issues a dozen times a day for years on end, mostly this is because no two deaf are the same and no single mode is near 100% effective, and because the game changed 25 years ago.

Again NO, I don't think concerns (NOT attacks), raised that are based on assuming critics are attacking ASL (Or even BSL), alone in schools is the issue, deaf schools were criticised because academically they failed deaf children, this was the basis of closure's in the UK at least. It's still the basis of critics of Gallaudet... and surely there are more than enough extremists of your persuasion there. We all know the REAL reason for attacks on those who opposed deaf schools, was the fact deaf emphasised the social/cultural, and not the educational element.

America is not alone in this we had it too, where deaf preferred to be less educated so long as the 'community' system was left intact, some of us consider, as do parents, that is deprivation of the child and lowering its expectations and potential. Deaf will still meet deaf regardless how systems change.

The fact deaf children are more highly educated since main streaming is fact too, I don't say it works for everyone, for the majority yes it does. Rome wasn't built in a day John, and it takes time to establish alternatives for institutionalist deaf schools used in the past. Deaf schools discriminated as much against ASL as mainstream did. I cannot agree mainstream is forcing systems on deaf children they don't want, parents make choices mainly, your 'image' is horrific and suggest people are force-feeding deaf children, and parents cruel to their own children (Try reading how DEAF parents treated their child in THIS blog, and the child hasn't even STARTED school yet).

Neither can I agree, that 'non cultural' deaf are determined to take over the old guard, and nobody listens to anyone else, far from it, cultural deaf, a very very small minority in any deaf area, have the lion's share of being listened to by default. We have to meet modern advances in everything, Wales where I live does not possess a single deaf school of any kind. We can't do that by a back to the future approach and adopting the siege mentality, all it will do, is concentrate the paranoid/disaffected in one place, so the rest can safely by-pass and ignore them. This will just feed MORE of the same...and invite more opposition as you get more extreme. You are welcome to comment.

I can suggest the more irate and attacking you are, the less parents will think culture has a lot to offer their deaf children, and you still haven't managed to convince or engage with them, the most important factor in all this. It's a new world John, we can't base it on the old one. I'm one of 'Them' (!) but prepared to listen, always have done. Telling people not to listen to anyone else is bound to encourage the opposite !

At The Rim Backing the Broken of Britain

News all welsh people deaf or disabled should be reading and acting on.... Wales Opposes DLA Reform.

This is the first piece of good news from the political arena for a while: the National Assembly for Wales has stepped up to oppose DLA reform ! The Broken of Britain has been speaking to two brilliant Assembly Members - Leanne Wood and Bethan Jenkins. Leanne tabled this statement, and she and Bethan have written to Welsh Assembly Government Ministers who will put pressure on the Westminster Government.



LEANNE WOOD



BETHAN JENKINS.

The statement:

WRITTEN STATEMENTS OF OPINION TABLED ON 18/01/2011
R Signifies the Member has declared an interest

OPIN-2010-0084 - Wales' opposition to DLA reform

Raised By: Leanne Wood: Wales' opposition to DLA reform

This Assembly urges the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, to recall the Public Consultation on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reform, and cease work on reform of this benefit, due to the serious flaws in the consultation paper. There is little evidence to support the DWP’s case for reform, and there are grounds to believe that they will cause hardship for many disabled people. Additionally, it is likely that the reform will reduce benefit expenditure but increase health and social care spending, thus transferring the burden of cost to this Assembly.

The Assembly has no power to control benefits, meaning that they will not be able to mitigate DLA reform - the Assembly Members who tabled this statement are worried about their disabled constituents. There are wider implications for Wales too - because the Assembly does control health and social care spending. There will be more pressure on health and social care when DLA is cut, and it is the Assembly who will pay.

If you live in Wales, e-mail your AM, and ask them to sign this Statement of Opinion. If not, write to your representatives in Scottish Parliament, the NI Assembly or the House of Commons to do similarly.

Lesbian Deaf parents Unspeakably cruel to their child...

Born to be deaf, is an recent article by DANIEL JEFFREYS, in which a Washington Dr accuses deaf parents of being cruel to their child by not giving their 4 month old child the hearing aid the child needs... what was feared, extremists denying a child alleviations in some obscure desire for deaf purity....

Read On:

"A baby boy was born deaf because that is what a lesbian couple wanted. Gauvin Duchesneau-McCullough's parents, who have been deaf since birth, went to extraordinary lengths to ensure their child would share their disability. They have even denied him a hearing aid.

In a case which has renewed calls for tighter controls over the creation of designer babies, Sharon Duchesneau and Candy Mc Cullough first approached a series of sperm banks looking for a donor who suffered from congenital deafness. On each occasion the couple, who have lived in a lesbian 'marriage' for eight years, were turned away. They then approached a family friend, a man with five generations of deafness in his family, who was totally deaf. He donated sperm which was used to impregnate Sharon Duchesneau. During her pregnancy Duchesneau said that a baby with normal hearing would be 'a blessing', but then added: 'A deaf baby would be a special blessing. It would be nice to have a deaf child who is the same as us.'

Gauvin is now four months old and has a vestige of hearing in his left ear. His parents, who belong to a radical movement in the U.S. which rejects the idea of deafness as a disability, were advised by specialists that a hearing aid would help their son and make it much easier for him to learn to speak. But, in a move that shocked doctors and deaf charities, the pair rejected this option, preferring that Gauvin be confined to using sign language like themselves. The women, who work as mental health counsellors helping other deaf people in Washington DC, said they would let their son decide when he is older if he wants a hearing aid.

'This is unspeakable cruelty,' said Dr Lawrence Kass, a Washington paediatrician. 'If the baby is prevented from having a hearing aid until he is a teenager, it will be virtually useless. They are condemning this child to a lifetime of severe hearing disability.' Gauvin's sister, Johanne, was born five years ago to the same sperm donor father. She has less than 5 per cent hearing in both ears."


Read more:

Charity luvvies/spoilers bring down critical topic posting at the BBC

On the SEE HEAR (OUCH) site for this deaf program, a long-running topic that pulled in 1,007 responses of criticism of the RNID, since 2006, was closed after spoilers spammed the board moderators, and posted objections to postings, even some that were left a year ago, this was followed by a rash of further retrospective objections, that left the BBC with no option but to close this long-running topic that took on the biggest HI charity in the UK, and won, the second time this method has been used to silence dissent online, among the issues raised were...

(A) Their failure to engage with deaf people.
(B) Their move to change remit to drop the 'D' and deaf input,
(C) Their rejection of the deaf social model and their dedication to the dependency system for deaf people,
(D) Blatant removal of an open forum to prevent deaf logging in to their web site.
(E) Using equality laws on employment to keep deaf OUT.
(F) Failure to train or employ deaf people.
(G) Claiming full UK deaf representative status with no mandate, no consultation, and 96% non deaf as members....
(H) Using the data protection act to prevent RNID member and consultation statistics being validated.

Even opponents of the criticisms agreed the level of deaf debates that took place, were amongst the most informative and educational ever read on the SH message board.... Far from responding to constructive criticism and earnest pleas to engage, consult, listen, and employ deaf people, they threatened, called contributors names, or ignored instead, then started to whip up support on twitter and facebook sites, which failed, and twice directly threatened this blog. Finally admitting defeat and changing their title/remit via an re-brand to exclude the 'deaf element'. Now they cure you, not talk to you.

Today we salute all those contributors to the RNID topic, for and against, unbowed, and certainly will carry the fight to the RNID regardless of every questionable tactic they have taken to prevent people knowing what goes on... In particular Tim from the REGENCY blog who we have to thank for raising the initial issue....

The deaf voice WILL be heard the RNID WILL have to listen.

Oldie but Goldie

Captions just aint working lol..........

Sign Translate, is it Viable ?

Sign Translate operates an interpreter services via an GP (General practician), computer at the surgery, recent comments on READ HEAR (An television text page on our TV's), that publishes deaf comments and services, saw very critical condemnation of the whole system and Sign Translate showing annoyance the BBC's SEE HEAR program, had highlighted very poor take up (Long overdue in my opinion SEE HEAR has sat on the fence far too long). In defence of 1 in 8 surgeries taking up the Sign Translate option, they said it had potentially saved the life of one deaf man unable to get a terp.

In the same response Sign Health, had opposed deaf people using families and friends for support (Which I endorse, as I don't support deaf choice in medical situations via access). However I question Sign Health's motives in that, they opposed to further their system use, I oppose because I want deaf people to have neutral and professional support so they get facts and their privacy is respected, and get rid of silly deaf choices that put a child between them and the professional.... I also do not support electronic access over face to face. There was a suggestion using video relay systems could undermine and not supplement more interpretor training, if Doctor's then wanted to use a cheap web-cam version instead of paying for people.

VRS I believe is still a system British deaf have not taken to heart or used much, I am far from convinced it is a viable system at all. Too many campaigns are being launched on deaf access without viability being taken in to account. If it isn't demanding lip-reading services without enough pupils to make it work, it is VRS systems deaf won't use. That deaf groups are panning Ofcom for stating the reality is unhelpful. A further survey and campaign hasn't validated the costs of a national service or who would pay for or use it.

When did we start campaigns without research first ? while America is embracing VRS systems the Brits haven't. The poor take up DOES show it's wasted money... Bottom line to the topic titles ? no it isn't.

Note: the logo is reproduced by me, it is not an act of endorsement by Sign Health of any comments made here.

A Deaf Perspective

I think you are right ?!?!?!

To see yourself as others see you.... Readers wanting the link must contact me direct as, it is an site selling shoes. Obviously I cannot advertise here. This is the 3rd 'advert' I've read, including 3 from e-bay, selling goods (Mainly shoes for some reason), to raise money for deaf people, hope it aint a new scam... maybe it's a novel idea spreading deaf culture by raising awareness through e-bay.... I'm not sure 'species' is a correct identification of deaf culture but.....

"sign language is the language of mediation and meaning of a message with body language, lip movements, gestures, facial expressions, etc. to get to talk with ordinary people fluent in sign language.

It was for the deaf, those of friends, interpreters, and families of deaf people and also people who are deaf or hard of hearing was normal. How, how spoken language varies from region to region, even though people use a variety of different sign languages to communicate with them easier than if people use different languages in total.

There are many different sign languages that have developed over time. The complex spatial grammar of the language differs from spoken language and can be used to discuss topics from the simple and concrete to the abstract and to discuss arrogant.

There are hundreds of species of the existing communities of deaf people around the world, while most of them lack the recognition of the status of all! They are so rich in every way possible, as oral language and linguists have said, was the true language.

The symptoms are usually arbitrary, and they have to usually no visual connection between the word. Manual alphabets are mostly proper names and technical or specialized vocabulary. Number of unique linguistic features that produce language skills to meanings in different parts of the visual field at once.

People are usually wrong in the sense that they think that depends on the sign language interpretation and full text of the fact that the interpretation of the texts that are written in the action. This language uses a unique function of the visual medium, because verbal language is only one sound can be linear or the time came to light this language may take the whole scene at once to make, because it is optical.

A number of information channels are expressed simultaneously. . Parents should introduce deaf children the language of the department as early as possible. The earlier a child is exposed to sign language and begins to acquire a better result in the development of communicative abilities of the station.

Scientists say that the first six months, the most important stage in the development of the child’s language skills. Screening for deafness and partial hearing loss should be made for all newborns before leaving the hospital or at most within the first month of life.

Becoming fully competent in any language of personal exposure to this language should be as early as possible, but in any case start before school age. In a time when the existence of deaf people is high enough, a common sign language for deaf people in the local community is situated. Member States may present two or more languages, but the page that contains more than a spoken language, can only be one with him."

Not the Deaf Earth site...

It is said a new planet mirroring the Earth has just been discovered, somewhere out there, and it is populated by deaf people. Images we have had relayed to us show a complicated and cluttered society obsessed with not hearing anything. A recent transmission in the form of a blog/website of all things, has so far defeated our best computer literate in access, and just seems at present a random collection trawled from every Native Earth blog site on deaf.read, youtube, and a few others, with Videos, but with no real direction or message.

There is a strong belief the planet called 'Deaf Earth' is not populated by living beings like ourself at all, but robots nature unknown, are trying to communicate by copying everything we do and then sending it straight back at us, but with the greeting messages not included.

"It is possible...", Professor D Gee stated, "That there maybe some 'code' embedded in the transmissions we haven't yet identified, it all looks very haphazard and unstructured... it's hard to know what message they are trying to convey to us.... or if they are aware we have ears, we've sent signals in ASL/BSL/PSE,SE and 142 other sign forms, as well as given them a facebook link and twitter, but so far no response at all... we are setting up a counter website to beam to outer space, with the message, "Are you sure you have the right planet ? (Your number is not recognised..)"

Ongoing...

A deaf day out remembered...

Bit of a long one today, said the art mistress to the gardener, but, a few laughs I think. Usually on a Thursday, I girdle the old loins (They need a lot of girdle !), and sally forth to exchange that old and time-worn ritual of conviviality, deaf-style at the local Bastille (Sorry deaf club). It's a bit sparse today, half have gone on holiday, (Or dead, it can be hard to tell), and as is the deaf wont, deciding where to go again off-season to avoid the hearing hordes and crowds, who pollute the place and put deaf people off...

We discussed where the 4 annual free trips a year we have will take us, Barbados ? Rhodes ? the Caribbean ? Honolulu ? although the smart money was on Weston-super-Mare again which they've attended since Weston was 70 acres of filthy black mud, and a mile walk to the nearest water, and home to the vegetarian diplomaticalsauras . Most of the older members are on first-name terms with the local gull population, and even the local cafe's and restaurants know who sits where, they don't sun-bathe or anything, as the sun hasn't reached that part of the world as yet.....

I recall a while ago, there was a break with tradition, well, not exactly a break, but a club secretary died, (Two more, I get to sit at the top table), last year we opted for Bath instead. I suspect the runes were cast against us from day one, it rained so heavy, Noah would have opted for larger umbrellas, the oldest couple who came with the club, were in their 80s, tee-total, 4ft 6", and church-goers, the rain peed down in veritable sheets, SHEETS ! so we adjourned as is our want, to the nearest hostelry, as the cafe's only sold chips and cream tea with everything, and we wanted a proper meal and a pint of what Bath people laud as alcohol.

Our couple were not amused, and refused to come in with us, despite the quite appalling rain, and sat on a bench outside getting saturated, nothing would induce them to avoid pneumonia and a complete soaking, to enter this den of complete iniquity, selling liquid death, and condeming us all to an eternity polishing pitchforks down under, and listening to Australian deaf try to master English via ASL in between copious quantities of Lager... A living death I think readers will agree..

After an hour, the sun did come out, we didn't know whether to prostrate ourselves on the promenande or remain indoors until the next eclipse... we decided to dry them out, and then we'd try the famous bath house, apparently Bath was the only place to be if you were an Roman invader, and needed a good wash, no wonder they won all the battles here, like the French, we'd no answer to soap.

We paid what seemed like half the national welsh debt as entrance fee, and were asked to wait, we were pleasantly surprised when an deaf interpreter emerged, a student, who was given to our party free, to describe the history of the place. The only drawback we could see, that she was from Minnesota in the USA and used ASL, but we thought it churlish to complain about a minor quibble like that, we thought we'd teach her a few bars of OAKLAHOMA in BSL as bit of detente'.

"Oooooooklahoma where the wind come blowing up your skirts...
and those might feet, do NOT smell sweet,
and the blinkin yanks are all a pain ...."

We did tell her a few risque jokes about the Romans, the Brit, and how much did a Grecian Urn, but it went over her head I think. Anyway, the place whiffed a bit to be honest, and after looking at the what looked like a toxic waste bog (The actual 'bath'), and examining ancient lead pipes, and graffiti on the walls, was 'Bazza' really from Rome ? if so, he didn't half travel, not as much as Kilroy but... we've got his signature in South Wales too, and amazingly it seems he is STILL alive, we all went to sample the waters to drink, which we were told had restorative powers, although we took some time to convince our older couple there was no alcoholic content in it, and the bits floating about in it, were entirely eco friendly, and we had to ask the manager to let them know the scource....

Restorative ? It restored the lager we had pretty rapid ! Dew ! I've drank from pub waste and ash trays (That's another story really), with a better taste to be honest, even dishwater was like nectar compared with that foul stuff. No wonder the Romans just bathed in it, only the Brits with their weird and wonderful ways would actually see it as a health aid, and drink it, probably the language difficutlies are to blame... I blame the Georgians myself, they made a mess of colonising the Americas now we are forced to drink bathwater as some penance, for not colonising America and banning MacDonalds from day one... I am convinced British would never have allowed such a travesty of food, then again we invented Haggis... but at least it came in a bag made from some sheep's stomach lining.

We opted for Weymouth in the end, to be on the safe side, albeit I suggested in mid-winter we probably wouldn't see it's best side, even if it had one. I did go a few years ago, they were out, but it was sand, a beach, a few sail boats, a train which went up and down the prom, for those without legs, and Viking Beer, which was quite good really, once you got the lumps out.

We went, but again as predicated the gods were against us, you can guarantee if a deaf club organises a trip anywhere, the droughts are over. We'd put the souix nation medicine men out of biz no bother. Regarding the Viking Lager, we found a pub alongside the harbour called the 'Jolly Sailor' (Which is a misnomer in terms really if you read the history of the British Navy, and your name is Mr Christian), we all went in, and ordered some, we couldn't make out why we got some funny looks. There was a barman with a see-through plastic shirt on, and a few men, all with handkechieves hanging out their trouser pockets, (were they Morris dancers on a day out ? what ? I was asked).. I thought perhaps the puzzled/bemused stares, were about the deaf/signing thing, the signing threw them a bit, as did me at front of que translating what the rest wanted to drink, but on ordering my 3rd pint (Or was it 6 I'd lost count already), the reality began to dawn on me.

I approached the bar for another drink, and the barman said "I'm sorry if it looks like they're all staring at your group, but we don't often see women in here, as it's a gay bar..men mostly.", I thought, not to worry, it's the millennium, my seat was against the wall, and I'm not completely averse to Dusty Springfield anyway, (although son of a preacher man wasn't all THAT good, and I can take or leave Elton John), but on informing the other members, they all stampeded out the door rather with a lot less decorum, than a herd of frightened, panic – stricken buffalo.

I finished my pint on my own, then backed out myself, offering profuse apologies to the pvc-trousered innkeeper, muttering "Bus, late for, nice blouse, sorry erm.... BYE !!!". Kept the club in gossip and debate for months afterwards, who initially thought they were spanish. I later learned learned that handkerchives in pockets indicates who was erm.. the male or female for the night. I stick to wiping my nose with my sleeve now, so nobody gets the wrong idea.

How about the Eden project next ? Cornwall ? someone said. That was voted out immediately, spending 4 hours on a bus to look at a few gladioli in a greenhouse didn't seem much fun to be honest, we've got one in Wales, and it's got daffodils. 9 times out of 10 it's parks and stately homes, and it always ends with one member or other getting hospital treatment, half of us can't walk 10 yards without oxygen as it is, they never learn.

BINGO today !(Be still my heart), £1.00p a line, £2.50 full house, I just hope they've got security here, if I win. But FIRST, the raffle, which consisted of the usual, 4 cans of Tesco Beans, 3 packets of Sainsbury's mixed biscuits, (She's a right show off), 2 packets of Birds Custard (There was 3 in the packet but one mysteriously vanished and there was a huge row about it), a collection of complete junk from the pound shop again, and the usual clear out from that xmas hamper of 1989, someone keeps trying to get rid of, we'll all end up with botulism or something, what's a lychee anyway ?

We're taking bets each week, what weird and wonderful tin of obscure and gastronomic delight she will discover next, pickled sea-horse ? Freeze-dried placenta ? Tickets were 50p each, but I usually give them £2 to not give me any.

Had my usual game of snooker, with G, who only has one eye, and every time I look like winning, he takes it out and polishes it to put me off, but I'm wise to him now, I take my front teeth out. He was telling me how he had new glasses now, I said why have glasses when you have a false eye ? why not a monocle ? He insists they test his false eye every time at the opticians, I think he does it to wind them up or something. Most of the time they HAVEN'T spotted it is false and keep telling him he needs to see the hospital urgently as it appears he sees very little out of it, the glass he has on his lens from the false eye side, would do better on the hubble telescope, one eye is small and the other does a fair representation of a short-sighted cyclops. I told him be careful how the sun catches it, he could burn the place down.... or get vaporised.

After we got back home. I decided to use the free bus option back to the door, and it was akin to riding the pony express, all that was missing were a few irate apaches... we were all hurtled all over the place as the driver (Obviously annoyed he has to take us old farts about), drives fast over speed jumps to get back at us. We keep kissing the bus roof, and trying to sort out whose teeth belongs to whom, it's almost reached Olympic standard now. Shall I go next year ? can camels really pole dance, and sing who'se got a cheeky hump then ?

Tribal Warfare..

In replying to Joseph and via 'Deaf Echo', as per usual my response became too long for a comment, so I am posting it here instead. Is everyone who opposes a deaf cultural view dissing everyone else ? MY response to this claim is as follows:

"Joesph, I take an interest (1) Because I AM deaf totally and profoundly in both ears and (2) It helps me understand the huge issues deafness presents and how to cope with them, and how to defeat some of the problems deafness raises for me. Defeating deafness on a clinical and acceptable level, yes there is truth I am in to that, it's a natural issue for me and others, if you lose something as vital as a major sense it tends to concentrate the mind somewhat, funny enough !

As someone with experience of both sides of the fence (Neither really fun), I am able to compare, this is not the case for a number of others. I feel I can see alternatives to the status quo of "You got it, get on with it...". "If it aint broke why fix it..." things have changed, things are broken, so we change, because we have to.

As to me dissing other deaf, I disagree with some of their views yes, mostly on the politics of it. I think we all do that, you do, and welcome to challenge them. Cultural/total immersion ? there is no difference anyway. Living on a desert Island is great for a while, but sooner or later people want to travel, get bored with the sunshine and beaches and nothing else.....your Martha's Vineyard is a prime example.... Gallaudet looks increasing a rabble-rouser's licence, and not what deaf hoped it would be a beacon of deaf education at last we can aspire to........I personally don't feel immersion serves the deaf, or segregated education, just isolates the deaf more, and isolation is the real killer. The entire deaf community, unless I haven't read this right , wants equality, whether they understand what it actually means, the jury is out as I can see. It's a strange sort of equality that isn't actually equal..

To suggest 'hearing-minded' in a derogatory sense is pointless, if it is discrimination say it. It's boring deaf people taking pot shots at others who can hear more than they can, or those who aren't as deaf as they are, or communicate a different way, wear an aid or a CI, talk, or live a different lifestyle, take a step BACK and see this for what it really is, a throwback to the British Colonial and class system, where your face had to fit. It's outdated, and antiquated paranoia in part, and an unwillingness to adapt.. Fear makes idiots of us all. Simply because someone has, or once had hearing, doesn't make them dismissive of deaf people, oralistic, audistic, whatever, these are just the weapons of terminological warfare the extremists use to divide people. Why deaf want to be ID'd as a race apart while claiming they want equality is a conundrum.

The deaf world owes so much to dedicated hearing people, teachers, interpreters, friends who learn to communicate campaign with the deaf, time it was recognised. Do you attack them because they think like hearing people ? I'm not dismissive of anyone, but having a culture doesn't make an opinion valid, it has to stand or fall on realities, on fact, on what we see with our own eyes... I try to provide balance, there are a many positive posts on sign using deaf people on my blog. I've not researched my blog, but I think the majority blogs are pro-sign....

Deaf.Read is only ONE area I contribute to, perhaps you need to read further than the deaf aggregates and sites ? I contribute to numerous hearing ones, more probably. I sign myself, I attend a deaf club and have for 23 years, my partner can easily be described as cultural deaf, if I was that anti I would have been divorced years ago.... but as you say, still 'hearing minded' and why wouldn't I be ? I was born that way, I didn't diss deaf then, I don't now. Having once had hearing isn't a crime yet as I am aware, and we ARE the largest sector of deaf people, not the cultural deaf.

You need to work with us, certainly if you want our support to survive AS a culture. The old ways of deaf community have gone, and I am old enough to remember that too, deaf adapt, deaf change or deaf go under, it makes no sense shooting the messenger because you don't like what they say... with CI's genetics, main streaming, it's burying your head in the sand, again this is NOT dissing deaf people, it is explaining the reality, as I see it anyway, how can deaf survive when all they used to be that defined them is going, only sign remains as a constant...

Is the onus on cultural deaf to change, adapt, compromise, alter ? yes it is, sorry..... I base that view on the undeniable fact and experience of near 40 years deaf, mainstream aint going to adapt to YOU (Or me for that matter). Be nice if they would, I am pessimistic.... I don't see how retiring to cultural or total 'immersion' solves a damned thing for you, or for access, it is deaf making a cosy prison for themselves.... the trick seems to be not to look through the window and see the world outside. it simply emphasises you cannot, or are unwilling to adapt, it may work where there is a huge deaf population, it won't in areas where that deaf population is almost totally fragmented, as it is here.

As late deafened, immersion is not a remote possibility, since you cannot be someone's reflection, you can't swap cultures like jobs. All late deafened try that initially, many are pushed in the cultural direction despite many reservations it is unsuited for them. But it doesn't work, wastes valuable time, and most deaf cultural areas don't really welcome passengers... it's not a late deafened/hearing culture it's pointless pretending otherwise it soon shows, what follows is the late deafened desire to change the deaf cultural system to suit them in the absence of any alternative.. I think late deafened can enhance deaf culture, but whether there is room for compromise... It's the irresistible force against the immovable object to a degree.

On my blog I do try to suggest ways in which co-existence and advances may be made sadly, the onus is on all deaf to compromise, there are no two ways about it, if you want to win it, you have to be in it, and not as a part time visitor. I had to adapt when I went deaf, choice was NOT an option, deaf must learn that too.. Deaf can adapt, yes they can, but they have to want to do that, and they need to. Are late deafened colonising deaf culture ? yes, mercenary even ? to a degree yes to that as well, we have to survive too.. The late-deafened have already provided a lot of advances for all deaf people, and still their most ardent campaigners.

What we learnt is you don't have to go to a deaf school to be deaf, having no hearing is a pretty good qualification in itself.

I'll never listen to Music again...

The film director Ken Loach has revealed he will not allow himself to listen to music because of his young granddaughter's deafness – and attacked "devastating" budget cuts to the NHS.

Holly Loach, 11, lost her hearing after contracting meningitis when she was 13 months old. Describing the profound effect her deafness has, he said it "felt like a death in the family". In an interview with an UK charity taking action on hearing loss, Loach attacked proposed NHS budget cuts, saying Holly nearly lost her life fighting the brain disease. He said he believed that if it happened today she might not be here because of the cuts.

"Yes, of course I'm more grateful for my own hearing. Before I took it for granted and now I don't." Loach, who won the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes film festival for The Wind That Shakes The Barley, said: "It was very difficult to listen to music after she couldn't hear. It seemed an unfair advantage, an unfair thing to do by comparison with what she was denied. I still feel that to an extent. Just a feeling of solidarity, I didn't want to enjoy something she was denied".

Reference:

Good Thinking !