NADP Chair's Update - November 2009
Strategic Planning - IDGs - FE
The Board are continuing to work to the Action Plan (login required) outlined at the Annual General Meeting. Please refer to this for an account of the framework for activity with which the board and membership is engaged to promote disability equality across the sector. There are many ways in which members can influence the direction of the organisation and become more involved. As well as the list, members can participate in conferences (as presenters as well as delegates) and internal discussion groups (IDGs).
A new IDG focussing on transition into university is taking shape and being lead by one of our members (rather than a member of the Board) which is excellent, as the Board are all volunteers and put in an immense amount of time to make NADP work. You will have seen reference to the new IDG on the list, and it's not too late to join. The Board envisage that IDGs will grow organically out of a shared interest so please make use of the list to kick start any ideas for IDGs that you may have.
The Board is still acutely conscious of the limited FE representation and interested to develop a lively FE focussed aspect of the organisation. If FE members fancy forming an IDG for example, this might be a good idea. SKILL have quite a well developed infrastructure for FE, including provision for learning disabled students and it is worth members also tapping into this resource. NADP continues to work in close collaboration with SKILL and other organisations with similar aims around disability equality in post compulsory education.
Collaborative Work - Big Issues
NADP Board has been working very hard, in collaboration with relevant organisations on behalf of NADP members, who will be aware of significant issues within the sector, particularly, for HE members (and those working in transition to HE) around the DSA.
Collaborative work takes time, effort and diplomacy so apologies to members who may feel frustrated about the time it takes to get information out to the list. Objective accurate information is clearly essential and I feel that this is what we are able to offer because of the care which goes into the process. A drip feed of half accurate information is something the Board wants to avoid.
Particular thanks go to Karen Robson, Paddy Turner and Deb Viney for their very comprehensive evidence gathering and briefing papers in relation to the Hopkins enquiry and issues around the DSA process which continue to be of great concern to members. These sorts of documents are posted to the list via the announcement function (and made available on the website). I'm sure you will all agree that the information was of the very highest quality.
We will continue to provide Members with updated information via our announcement list, and the website is continually updated.
Conferences
The Annual Conference took place at the beginning of July in Nottingham and the feedback from delegates was very positive. The Conference Dinner provided an opportunity to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Organisation and was a very enjoyable 'black tie' event.
An addition to our conference calendar - an event focusing on writing your new Disability Equality Statement and Action Plan was held on 16th September in Birmingham. We are hurtling towards the time when DES updates need to be completed and I am surprised not to see much about this activity on the list. (Perhaps we are all very very busy). Please make use of the contacts you have as an NADP member if you require support in relation to DES updating-or any other activity. NADP is an excellent resource containing a wealth of expertise.
The Autumn Conference focusing on the Multi-Disciplinary Team was held in London on 16th November. The format was designed to facilitate maximum participation and the evaluations were positive.
The conference sub-committee is continuing to plan future events. The Spring Conference will focus on Neurodiversity and the Annual Conference theme will be Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment - equalising the student experience, how level is the playing field? Anyone wishing to submit a paper for the conference should refer to the information on our website.
NADP members are also contributing to other conferences and events run by agencies such as SKILL and The BDA and the list is a helpful vehicle for providing information about conferences and other events across the sector.
Website Survey
Many thanks to those members who completed the on-line survey about our website. The information will be evaluated and a review of the website is planned in the near future.
President
Our President, Mat Fraser, is in constant contact with me as Chair despite having been incredibly busy with a major television project which will start on Thursday 26th November. It's called 'Outcasts' and disabled characters are played by disabled actors (which really should not be cutting edge but sadly is). He sends his best wishes and intends to join us at conference if (paid) work permits.
Publications
NADP Technical Briefing 5/2009 : The role of the disability practitioner is our most recent publication. Thank you to Dr James Palfreyman-Kay for all his hard work on this. NADP members may receive one copy of this publication free of charge. Additional copies are available at £10 each. To receive your free copy or to order additional copies please contact the office.
Journal of inclusive practice in Further and Higher Education: Issue 2 of the journal is now with the printer and will be available within the next couple of weeks. In response to feedback the accessibility of the layout has been improved. The theme of this journal is Neurodiversity and is guest edited by Dr David Pollak.
The editorial board is now calling for papers on two future themes:
- International Perspectives (in inclusive practice in Further and Higher Education)
- Transition (into Further and Higher Education and beyond, into the world of work)