Single Equalities Again

The government announced once again it's intentions to introduce a single equalities bill today. It got chucked out before because of concerns from many who had fought for the various focused discriminations acts. The concern was, and possibly still is that individual strands of diversity and equality will be watered down. Todays news coverage demonstrates that that concern is well justified.

Remember how you cringed when you worked out what the lyrics to "melting pot" actually meant and this is on the road, bland homogenised policy which possibly doesn't address the real deal of discrimination. Actually I quite liked the song but loud and proud of who you are it certainly 'ain't!

I wrote a piece once about justifying the need to focus on individual dimensions of equality in order to truly understand the particular and unique characteristics of the various forms of discrimination and oppression. Of course there are cross-overs and links which have helped us to come together and unite but there are distinct and subtle differences which make each form of discrimination unique to a particular dis empowered group.

If a single equalities law truely addresses issues of power & social change then it sounds good, but already there are concerns that things like Disability Equality Duties will be watered down to a commitement rather than enforceable duties, so we will have to keep a watch on this one as it could be good or it could go against the battles already in progress.

Will you be there?

1st May 2008, blogtastic event. I'm warming up for a right rant!

No flame for disability rights in China

The freedom of Tibet is in the headlines today & rightly so, but Human Rights abuses by the Chinese regime (I'm not blanketing that it is all it's people, there are Chinese people trying to change things too) is not just isolated to just the Tibetan issue. Human Rights abuses against disabled people in China often go unmentioned, in particular abuses against disabled women and those with learning difficulties. I'm not an expert but have read & studied a few reports, hard evidence is difficult to get at as the abuses are often impacted upon the most vulnerable with the least loudest voice. Much evidence is anecdotal but never the less terrible and needs acting upon.

There has been much debate this weekend as the Olympic "flame of shame" goes through London that sport and politics should be separated, but I feel that is very naive. Sport doesn't happen in isolation or a vacuum. The Olympic ideals are spot on, but they get used for all sorts of agenda's, some ok, some not. If sport has nothing to do with politics why have a minister for sport?

I have a Tibetan friend who now lives in Nepal, we studied together and became friends and he promised that if I ever get out there, he'd get me up the mountains no problem! so I know a little about whats been happening, I've frantically been reading up to try and become more informed, I don't like the feeling of just jumping on a bandwagon, at least without a bit more information from more than one source. I think that it's unfortunate that the flames/olympics are getting it, but I think until there is some freedoms respected then China are asking for it. That's not to say China should adopt what we believe is a right form of democracy, but they should end human rights oppressive behaviors, as should the hundreds of other countries getting away with it.

The Tibetan struggle will be effecting disabled people in Tibet & China and so I did want to jump on a bandwagon if it is to create awareness that may one day do something to contribute to change for the better.

United

Today was our local Go Forum, a small but growing group of local disabled people fighting for local issues that affect disabled peoples lives. It was one of the best I've been to, because there was a sense that within the general mess and struggles we are trying to improve there was a sense of coming together.

There are many different views on the group, which is probably it's strength & if honest there has been some tensions on the group, this is mainly in the context of discussions of major cutbacks in services in Merton and the best way forward. Well although there are still differences there was a general feeling that we stand together so that all disabled peoples needs are considered. New things are not a choice if they are at the expense of other things being taken away.

If something needs changing then change should be done by working together to improve things. People need to be involved and supported in being the author of their own changes.

We are concerned about these local issues because they have a very real impact on all people, not just disabled people, but their families, loved ones, children, older people, working people, disadvantaged and excluded people and the comfortable, regular folk. It's about all of us.

I genuinely feel that those we are working with within the local authority also do care & they are trying to do a difficult job in which they very rarely get praised for. I think & hope they are trying to get it right (or do I just see the good side of everyone?), we need to begin to build a dialogue of trust in each other. They need to trust that we can make the right decisions if given the right tools and we need to start to trust that they will not take the process away from us and yet again dis empower us back t the status quo. The reality is we're not going back to those dark days, we'll just move onwards.

My fear is that cabinet, the group with the power to decide only see figures, a balance sheet and the most in vogue initiative that will create good headlines. I have met a few good councillors to discuss the future of a CIL, and I can only hope that those that genuinely care about people out number those who have whatever other motives to balance the figures.

Disabled people can and do contribute to our society but can only do it if our needs are adequately met, actually fully met, adequate isn't enough. Once fully met we play a full active part in our community, we buy things, we work, we pay taxes, council tax, just the same as everyone else. The current discussions around cut-backs have very little to do with a genuine transformation programme. Transformation is generally a positive process where you start at one place and through learning and understanding, you move to a better place, transformation. The cut backs are about very basic things like getting around from a to b, having support for our loved ones, being able to meet friends that we want to have by choice, having a purpose to life.

I agree that services and provisions may need to change in terms of transformation, but that is different from creating cut backs to essential services and provisions. If people are genuine about transformation, then enter into a process of change, the new tag is co-producing, us together, with us having more control over the things that affect us, as a result we change, that change will also mean you need to change too!

By the way I still haven't heard from MP Mr Steen about his parking habits, sadly it is now obvious that when he said he was happy to hear from disabled people he obviously didn't and just needed the publicity. (thankfully he isn't an MP in Merton).

Free Sourcing

Thanks to free source software I've nearly cracked all the things I would wish to do on my computer. It also means that my back catologue of recorded music is now digitally enhanced, cleaned up a bit and secured.
I had two tapes of songs that were the only ones in existence and included a couple of successful blasts from the past that I would have been gutted had I lost them. The original recordings are on a reel but I haven't got one of them and the reel is in the darkest depths of "the big cupboard". I've downloaded three free source bits of software. All brilliant and they do the job so mind map, hi Q recorder and my old friend audacity, thank you, I'll be donating to the cause! They go to prove that as long as you don't go download crazy and run a few safety checks, you can get really good tools that don't cost a fortune and help to make those big boys even greedier for your money!

On another note after two days of preparration and getting a few things off my chest, I'm well up for that workshop I mentioned in the last blog.

One more thing is it only me that's sick of hearing about the american 'primaries'. The clue is in the title! There's loads more to come with the actual elections and its already getting as much air time as our UK elections and loads more than any european news, which we are actually part of. I'm not US bashing, more media bashing to get it all a bit more in perspective. We have lots in common with more countries than just america so calm it down a bit. Hilary and Barack will let us know which of them will be taking over from W.

Be lucky
JK

Free Sourcing

Thanks to free source software I've nearly cracked all the things I would wish to do on my computer. It also means that my back catologue of recorded music is now digitally enhanced, cleaned up a bit and secured.
I had two tapes of songs that were the only ones in existence and included a couple of successful blasts from the past that I would have been gutted had I lost them. The original recordings are on a reel but I haven't got one of them and the reel is in the darkest depths of "the big cupboard". I've downloaded three free source bits of software. All brilliant and they do the job so mind map, hi Q recorder and my old friend audacity, thank you, I'll be donating to the cause! They go to prove that as long as you don't go download crazy and run a few safety checks, you can get really good tools that don't cost a fortune and help to make those big boys even greedier for your money!

On another note after two days of preparration and getting a few things off my chest, I'm well up for that workshop I mentioned in the last blog.

One more thing is it only me that's sick of hearing about the american 'primaries'. The clue is in the title! There's loads more to come with the actual elections and its already getting as much air time as our UK elections and loads more than any european news, which we are actually part of. I'm not US bashing, more media bashing to get it all a bit more in perspective. We have lots in common with more countries than just america so calm it down a bit. Hilary and Barack will let us know which of them will be taking over from W.

Be lucky
JK

Nothing's ever perfick, but thats ok?

I'm working on planning for a workshop happening next week and I'm excited and nervous about it all at the same time. Its important to me personally and I can see how it could and will be really good and I can also see where it might not be perfick. I'm putting as much as I can to make it a good, enjoyable day that people feel that they can participate and join in with. I also know I won't have key people/colleagues there who could make a valuable contribution.

Trying to make the day accessible with limited resources is also a challenge and is the bit I worry the most about because it needs to be addressed if people are to genuinely engage. Access is probably the only bit that isn't ok if not in place.

An event or event not being perfick is ok if it's part of a journey, a step in a learning process and of course, if all feel they are part of that process or journey. Even mistakes made around access can sometimes be forgiven if the mistake is learnt from and not made again.
I think the worries are set within fear of a blame culture a fear that we are not open to trying something in a new way. Again if it's a collaboration, we can take responsibility for our actions and move on without fear of being put in the stocks or being defensive. I hope next week will be a collaboration, a step along the journey and I hope it will be a positive, enjoyable experience. We will be talking about really important issues and I hope we see the struggles and barriers as a challenge and part of our growing strength rather than an insurmountable mountain.

My personal glass is almost always at least three quarters full, that's just me, life's to short for me to be beaten by negativity and problems, I see them and try and do something about them. Sometimes I get it right and oh yes I also get it wrong too. I really hope all that come on the workshop will feel that their glass is at least half full too. At least we can join together and say cheers to the next event!