ABOUT US
I am a trainer, consultant, counsellor and more recently online newspaper editor and owner. I am based in ST Helens (UK) and my aim is to promote social and economic inclusion for disabled people and others facing social and economic exclusion.
I am a Blind person and whilst I do not see myself as different, special or facing adversity, there are people out there who may see me and others like me as described above. It is my hope that people will come to recognise me and others like me as a person first and not see my disability! I consider that when addressing issues around disability, we should be working towards a social model of disability rather than a medical one.
The Social Model: owned by society, as a whole, preventable, solution is to eliminate discrimination.
My personal and professional contact with disabled people and other minority groups along with my research indicates that many people feel or believe their needs are not being met.
Access is not just about getting into places.
It is about access to employment; access into education and access to full rights as members of society.
I believe we should be working towards a social model and I think it is worth noting that language and theory are developing and changing all the time; so we should avoid preaching; but rather sharing with the wider community our current thinking and take them with us.
My present wish is to develop my career through employment and businesses that offer the opportunity of effective service in those areas to which I can contribute. My professional ambition is to see the progressive inclusion of excluded people into society through the development of educational training and employment opportunities. Concerning disabled people, the process of inclusion must involve the education and training of others in disability awareness and equality training, the offer and availability of information in a wide variety of formats, appropriate guidance and practical support and the provision of necessary equipment and especially sustained social support.
We aim to offer employment and self employment where and when appropriate. If your choice is to be a volunteer we would be happy to hear from you.
