Upload
stuartpeacock
View
220
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
1/36
Summer 2010
Summer
2010ASK VERANewsletter
Ability, not disability
Welcome to the Ask Vera newsletter!
Ask Vera has been doing more work to help
people with disabilities.
We have held training workshops. Members of
our team have been trainers and co-trainers.
There have been workshops about Disability
Awareness
We also had Easy Read workshops in January,
March and May, and hope to hold more soon.
We also went to Basildon Hospital to do
training with hospital staff.
The training was about making health
services better for people with
learning disabilities.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
2/36
Summer 2010
Ask Vera is working really hard to help people withdisabilities.
We want to raise awareness of the problems they
face every day,.
We went to the Ways 2 Work Conference held
at the Charter Hall, Colchester on 12th
February 2010.
Ways 2 Work helps disabled people in Essex find
jobs.
Ask Vera talked about making information easier toread and about making things better for
disabled people.
People have said our training is really good.
We hope to have more training workshops in the
future!
People at the conference thought our presentation
was really good.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
3/36
Summer 2010
Ask Vera has been getting bigger.
We want to grow and do even more in 2010.
Find out about who works for Ask Vera in theMeet the Team section. This is on page 16.
Vicky Fiona Phil
Ben
Ryan
Colin Glenn
Jack Darren Clive
Victoria
Lee
Heather Shakka
Stuart
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
4/36
Summer 2010
Mencap have been trying to get
more Changing Places toilets.
This means they want toilets that are better
suited for people who need lots of support.Parents and carers have had to help the
people they support on the floor.
This is not good.
These toilets make it easier for carers to help
people.
It means people can go out and visit places.
There are not many Changing Places toilets.
It means people are still having problems when
they are out and about.
The Changing Places group are trying to get
more toilets built.
This is also supported by famous people.
Craig Kelly from Coronation Streetand Strictly
Come Dancinghas shown his
support.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
5/36
Summer 2010
People have been writing letters to the
Government, to ask if they can build more
Changing Places toilets.
We have to take action and make sure that
more new buildings have these toilets.
If you live in the
East of England, there are only 10
Changing Places toilets in the
whole region.
And they are not all public toilets
some of them are in leisure centres
or day centres.
This is not good enough!
Ask Vera thinks there should beChanging Places Toilets in every town in
the country!
Find out more on the Changing Places
website, and see how you can help!
www.changing-places.org
By Stuart Peacock, Easy Read Coordinator for Ask Vera
http://www.changing-places.org/http://www.changing-places.org/http://www.changing-places.org/8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
6/36
Summer 2010
The Ask Vera Easy Read Dictionary
By Lee Bone, Easy Read Assistant for Ask Vera
I want to tell you about something
that we been working on at Ask
Vera.
It is the Ask Vera Easy Read Dictionary.
I made it because I want to help people with learning
disabilities, and people who have trouble reading.
We are really fed up with jargon and big long
words!
Weve seen them in NHS documents and information
from the hospitals and other places.
In the dictionary, I am trying to point out the
jargon and bad words should not be used.
It has easier words you can use instead of the
difficult ones!
Lee Stuart
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
7/36
Summer 2010
The dictionary also has pictures.
This helps people who cannot read very well.
The dictionary has easier words you can use
instead of the jargon.
We will keep adding new words to the Dictionary!
You can look at it on the Ask Vera Facebook group
www.facebook.com/askvera
Or email me at [email protected]
Stop using Jargon and start using Easier Words!
Here is an example:
The complicated words are in red.
The easier words are in green
http://www.facebook.com/askveramailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/askvera8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
8/36
Summer 2010
Disability Hate CrimeWhat can we do about it?
What is Hate Crime?
A Hate Crime is when somebody attacks or bullies an-
other person because they are different in some way.
People can be victims of hate crime because:
Of the colour of their skin or where they come from.
Their Religion or beliefs.
They are gay or lesbian.
Their Age
Mental health problems
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
9/36
Summer 2010
People with different kinds of disability have been victims
of hate crime, including:
*People who are Blind or dont see very well.
*People who are Deaf or dont hear very well.
*People with a learning disability
*People with a Physical disability
Disability Hate Crime is not reported as much as
other types of Hate Crime.
People who attack or bully disabled people are not
always punished.
The victims are sometimes too scared to report it.
People also dont know how or where to report it.
By Jack Stevenson, Easy Read Assistant for Ask Vera
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
10/36
Summer 2010
Cases of Hate Crime
Fiona Pilkington and
Francesca Hardwick
Fiona Pilkington and her disabled daughter,
Francesca Hardwick, had to put up with abuse from their
neighbours for over 10 years.
They were bullied all the time and their house was also
damaged and vandalised.
Fiona did not think the Police did enough to
help them.
Fiona could not take the bullying any more.
In October 2007, she killed herself and her daughter.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
11/36
Summer 2010
David Askew
David Askew was 64 years old.
He had a learning difficulty.
He lived near Manchester.Most of his neighbours liked him because he was
kind and friendly.
But groups of teenagers kept bullying him
because of his disability.
This went on for about 17 years. It caused David so much stress that
he died of a heart attack in September 2009.
People said that the Manchester Police did not do enough to help.
Cases of Hate Crime
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
12/36
Summer 2010
What can we do about it?
Ask Vera had a meeting about Hate Crime.
The meeting was on 10th May 2010.
At the meeting everyone talked about what should
be done. People came up with some ideas.
We had some people come and talk to us.
Emma Tierney from Victim Support told us
about the help victims of Hate Crime can get.
PC Simon Page from Essex Police told us how
Essex Police want to stop Hate Crime, and how
people can report it.
Derek Burnett from the Crown Prosecution
Service gave a talk too.
He talked about what happens when a case goes
to court.
Disability Hate CrimeWhat can we do about it?
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
13/36
Summer 2010
Notes from our meeting on 10th May 2010
What do we do now?
*We need to make a plan of how to make more
people aware of Disability Hate Crime
*We are going to make an Easy Read Guide on
how to report a Hate Crime.
*We are going to use e-mail and Facebook to
keep in touch with everyone.
*We will organise another meeting very
soon.
If you would like us to let you know about this,
sign up to our mailing list!
Just e-mail us at [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
14/36
Summer 2010
Ask Vera Workshops
and Training
For training from Ask Vera, you can come to us, or we can come to you!
We hold workshop events at our centre but we also offer in-house training
if you would like the team to come to you!
We can offer training for many things
including:
Making information easier to understand
How to make things easier for disabled
people
Get a better understanding of law such as
the Disability Discrimination Act
Attitudes towards disability and models of
disability.
Get in touch with us now
to find out more!
01206 769477
www.askvera.org
http://www.askvera.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.askvera.org/8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
15/36
Summer 2010
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
16/36
Summer 2010
Ben Pelham (Volunteer)
Hi my name is Ben Pelham. I am 22 years old.
I want more people to understand what it is like to
be disabled.
It can make life very difficult.
I do lots of presentations and speeches to tell
people about this!
I think information should always be easy to read.
I dont like it when words are too small.
I need big writing please!
I hope I will be rich and famous one day!
I would like to go to 10 Downing Street and meet
the Prime Minister one day!
I would also like to meet Harry Potter!
(Daniel Radcliffe)
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
17/36
Summer 2010
Hi my name is Colin Aldridge.
Colin Aldridge (Volunteer)
I have a learning disability and can read and write, but
I get frustrated when information has hard words, or
the writing is too small.
I have always tried my best to help with disabilities.
I volunteered at a project Mencap did called
Listening to Us.
Then I got a paid job there.
At Ask Vera I help with putting information into Easy
Read.
I find the long and complicated words, and try to findeasier words to use instead!
I really enjoy it at Ask Vera as it gives me something
to do, and everyone is really friendly!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
18/36
Summer 2010
Lee Bone (Easy Read Assistant)
My name is Lee Bone.
I started at Ask Vera last year and Im an Easy
Read Assistant.
I just completed my Travel Training.
This means I get to work by going on the bus by
myself.
I like this because it lets me be more
independent.
It is brilliant doing work that helps people with
learning disabilities.
I help Stuart with the Easy Read work and also
made an Easy Read dictionary!
I go to Colchester Institute to study as well, it is
really great going to college!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
19/36
Summer 2010
I also go to Red House, which is a day centre in
Tipree.
I had to make a phone call from the office.
I was a bit nervous at the start, but I practicedfor a while, and then I nailed it!
I have started answering the phone at Ask Vera
too.
I am really proud of the
Easy Read Dictionary I
have made.
You can read more about
this on Page 6!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
20/36
Summer 2010
Ryan Jones (Volunteer)
Hi, my name is Ryan Jones.
I have been supporting people with disabilities for 13
years. I have done lots of different jobs and roles.
I have worked as a trainer and given many
presentations. I supported people with disabilities to
be trainers and consultants too.
I am a graphic facilitator. This means I do large
drawings during meetings to capture the outcomes in
a creative way. Lots of people think this is a better
way of doing it rather than usual meeting minutes.
I also use this method to help people plan and help
services to work out problems.
At the moment I am working as Bens
Personal Assistant. And i enjoy helping Ben achieve
his dreams.
I have Multiple Sclerosis myself, so i am passionate
about making things better for people with a disability.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
21/36
Summer 2010
Glenn Chapman (Easy Read Assistant)
I like working at Ask Vera because they are a nice
friendly team to work with.
My name is Glenn Chapman.
I like doing something different. I also like helping
people in the office at Ask Vera.
I like helping my friend Stuart with some of the Easy
Read documents on the computer.
I help him make words easier and find pictures.
I also help with sending e-mails and other things in
the office.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
22/36
Summer 2010
Darren Sewell (Volunteer Designer)
Hi my name is Darren Sewell and I joined Ask Vera in
March 2009 as a volunteer designer.
I went to college and studied Graphic Design.
I use computer programs like Photoshop.
However Ive found it really hard to find jobs in
Graphic Design!
I came across the chance to volunteer at Ask Vera.
This was because of the help I got from Essex
County Councils service to help people find
work.
At Ask Vera I have helped design leaflets and
flyers.
I also helped Stuart design an information pack for
the Participation Networks Forum in Chelmsford.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
23/36
Summer 2010
I really enjoy working at Ask Vera because I can
use my graphics skills.
And I can help disabled people too.
I hope I will be at Ask Vera for a long time to come.
I would really like to work there full-time one day.
I want to help make things better for people with
disabilities.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
24/36
Summer 2010
Vicky Cole (Project Manager)
Hi, my name is Vicky Cole and I am the project
manager for ASK VERA
ASK VERA wants to help disabled people who
have problems accessing services.
We try to find solutions to these problems.
A lot of the people who work for us are disabled
themselves.
Everyone on our team has different skills.
We all have our own ideas to make things better
for people with disabilities.
But we do this by working together!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
25/36
Summer 2010
Jack Stevenson (Easy Read Assistant)
Hi my name is Jack Stevenson and I have worked
for Ask Vera since November 2008.
This is my first job.
It has really helped me get used to working and
helping out in an office.
I help out with putting documents into Easy Read.
I also help with sorting out the computers whenthere is a problem!
I really enjoy working at Ask Vera.
It gives me something to work for, and some-
where to go during the day.
Since joining Ask Vera, I have started another job
at Essex Cares who I also enjoy working for.
I like studying a lot of different things, including
history and Japanese culture. I am trying to learnJapanese too!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
26/36
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
27/36
Summer 2010
Stuart Peacock (Easy Read Coordinator)
Hi, my name is Stuart Peacock.
I have been on the Ask Vera team since
November 2008.
I started my job after I graduated from the
University of Essex. I studied English Literature.
I have always enjoyed reading books.
I write my own things as well when I get the time.
At Ask Vera I help put information into Easy Read.
This means making the words easier, and also
putting in pictures.
I also give help and support to members of the
team who have a disability.
I really enjoy working at Ask Vera and find it very
rewarding!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
28/36
Summer 2010
Heather Dewdney (Volunteer)
Hi, my name is Heather. I joined Ask Vera as a
volunteer in May 2010.
I have helped a lot of people with learning
disabilities.
Sadly, people like this used to be kept in
institutionsthey didnt have their own home!
I helped people get out of places like that, and back
into the community!
I also did some training at Mind, a charity that helps
people with learning disabilities and mental health
problems.
I studied Health and Social Care at
Colchester Institute as well.
After this I worked at Open Road in Colchester.
They help people who have had problems with
drugs and alcohol.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
29/36
Summer 2010
Because of health problems, I have not been able to
work for the last few years.
But then I heard about how I could volunteer at
Ask Vera.
It has really reminded me of how much we need to
fight for change!
We have to try and make things better for
disabled people.
In my spare time I really like dancing.
I do samba and salsa dancing!
I like cooking as well.
I also do yoga.
I go swimming and love going to the beach!
I love music, watching films, and books as well.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
30/36
Summer 2010
Phil Lee (Trainer)
My name is Phil Lee, I have a visual impairment.
I help out with the training at Ask Vera.
I have to use a Guide Dog to help me get around.
My guide dogs name is Nan.
I have had a few problems in my jobs because of
my disability.
But now I want to help other people with disabilities
and make things better.
I have set up a group called
Fair Access to Colchester .
We meet up to talk about the access problems
disabled people have in Colchester.
I have worked at many places, including the
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), the
NHS, and Essex County Council.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
31/36
Summer 2010
Shakka Phipps (Volunteer)
I get to meet a lot of people and make friends.
At the moment I am learning about computers.
Since being at Ask Vera, I have put photographs
onto the computer, and practiced typing.
I love riding on buses, and finding out the history
about them!
My favourite thing to do is drawing and painting.
I have been told I am a good artist!
Hi my name is Shakka Phipps.
I am a volunteer at Ask Vera.
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
32/36
Summer 2010
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
33/36
Summer 2010
By Clive Potter, Volunteer for Ask Vera
My name is Clive Potter, I volunteer and help out at
Ask Vera.
I have a mild learning disability.
I have to go to my doctors quite a lot.
I also have a consultant psychiatrist.
However, sometimes health staff are not very
helpful!
They dont always listen to me.
They dont think I can speak up for myself.
If my support workers are with me, they talk to
them instead of me!
I get really annoyed when this happens.
This makes me feel really bad about myself,
I know I can do things for myself but sometimes
people think I cant.
If you have problems like Clive, maybe our
Consultancy Service can help! (see next page)
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
34/36
Summer 2010
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
35/36
Summer 2010
By Victoria Riley, volunteer for Ask Vera
Hello, my name is Victoria Riley. I am 42 years old
and I live in Colchester.
I love going to places like the beach at
Brightlingsea and Colchester Zoo with my friends
I like to watch a lot of TV in my
spare time.
I watch things like the news,
Doctor Who, and Eastenders.
I like reading and writing as well.
I write a lot of my own poetry and stories!
8/9/2019 Ask Vera Newsletter Summer2010_EasyRead
36/36
Summer 2010
I started volunteering at Ask Vera in
March 2010.
I have helped Stuart a lot with the Easy Read
documents.
I have also done work at the
Wilson Marriage Centre.
It is an adult college in Colchester.
I had to answer the phone and use the
printer.
I want to start doing this at Ask Vera.
I love coming to Ask Vera, because I was
excited to have a job in an office, and I really
like the people here.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter!
ASK VERA
Unit 31, COLBEA Business Centre
1 George Williams Way,
Colchester Essex C01 2JS
01206 769477
www.askvera.org
http://www.askvera.org/http://www.askvera.org/