Celebrating International Day of Disabled People

When: 3 December 2013, 1.30 pm

Venue: The Menuhin Room, Third Floor, Central Library, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2DX

December 3 each year marks International Day of Disabled People, a United Nations sanctioned day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of persons with disability and in celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disability.

This year we are running an event to celebrate International Day of Disabled People.

• Blue Apple productions will be performing their play called "Living without fear". Six actors from Blue Apple’s touring company, who themselves have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime, mate crime and harassment.

• Lauren Steadman, paralympian, will give an inspirational talk about her experiences of being paralympian swimmer.

• There will also be time to network and look at information stands from statutory organisations as well as local disability groups.

Tea and coffee will be available.

Because spaces are limited, please book your place at the event at: https://iddp-event.eventbrite.co.uk or contact the Equalities team on tel: 023 9283 4789 or email: equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

New carers group to be launched

A new fun creative group for carers, called 'Crafty Carers' will be launched: 

When: 2nd December 2013, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 
Where: Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Road, Portsmouth

There will be seasonal snacks and refreshments. 

Decoupage, Beading, Card Making, Simple & Easy, Short Break, Origami, Decorations, and more ... The group is open to all carers. 

Not crafty...? Haven't been to any groups...?
No problem, this group's definitely for you!! We welcome new Carers - come along, meet other Carers and enjoy making something. We're run by Carers, for Carers.

Please contact Dorothy for more information and book your place. 
Mobile no: 07981 251074.

Help shape our future strategy

We are working to refresh the Council's Equality & Diversity Strategy (2010-13) & Single Equality Scheme (SES) which expires at the end of this year. Over the next few weeks we are keen to hear from individuals and groups who have ideas regarding how we can improve on the current document.

We have prepared a short presentation explaining what we are trying to achieve and how we will do it. To see the progress on all our current equality priorities, take a look at our Single Equality Scheme Plan.

You can help us shape our strategy for years 2014-17 in the following ways:

1. Complete the online survey by clicking on the following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pccequalitystrategy (or ask us for a word version or paper copy).

2. Send us an email to equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or telephone 023 9268 8559.

3. Attend one of our drop-in sessions:

22 October 2013, 2-4pm, in Ground Floor Meeting Room 3, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

24 October 2013, 6-8pm, in Southsea Library, 19-21 Palmerston Road, Southsea, PO1 3QQ

30 October 2013, 10am - 12pm, in Cosham Community Centre, Wotton Street, Cosham, PO6 3AP

4. Let us know if you would like a group session for a particular community group or organisation.

This consultation is open until 31st October 2013.

We will publish the results of the consultation in December 2013 on our website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk (search for 'consultations').

Chrysalis Transgender Training Event

Friday 8^th November 6pm to 9pm

Venue: Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY

Do you have transgender clients, beneficiaries or staff? Want to learn more about support available to improve your services and / or of benefit to your clients? 

Chrysalis is a charity supporting people with gender identity issues. They are staging a learning event in Southampton to raise awareness of the service Chrysalis offers and to raise awareness of issues relating to gender reassignment.

By the end of the session you will have an appreciation of:

-      The main challenges and barriers faced by people with gender identity issues  

-      What support is available and how it can be accessed

There will be a roundtable question and answer session with representatives from Chrysalis and beneficiaries of Chrysalis.

Refreshments Provided

This is a FREE event, but prior booking is required. To book places please contact Chrysalis on 01489 589111 or email: office@chrysalis-gii.org. 

Conversations with Parents/Carers and General Disability Awareness Workshop

When: Monday 21st October 2013, 10.00am to 1.00pm

Venue: South Downs College, College Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 8AA.

Cost: £10 per person

This workshop is for mainstream and specialist recreation and leisure providers – including managers, volunteers, reception staff, tutors, instructors, rangers, coaches, librarians, assistants and more.

Workshop description:

Conversations with Parents/Carers and general awareness of disability. The course will include:

How to approach sensitive conversations with parents/carers of a disabled child.

How to get the information you require to meet the needs of the child.

How it feels to be the parent/carer of a disabled child trying to access activities.

Exploring the kinds of things you can do in your setting to improve access for disabled children and young people.

Learn about words and phrases which are respectful and those which are not.                           

Rachel Harrison will deliver the workshops in an interactive, relaxed and informal way.  Rachel is a Senior Lecturer at the University Of Winchester and has experience of working with people with ‘physical disabilities’, ‘learning difficulties’, ‘people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder’, and ‘people whose behaviour challenges the service’.                    

For more information about the workshop contact Rishi Ghosh, The Bridging Worker for Havant. Phone: 07881 340132, Email:  rishighosh@roseroad.org.uk

To book your place/s, complete the booking form available on www.hants.gov.uk/learning-development see the Workshops tab or you can contact us and we will email one out to you.

ThisAbility: Exploring historical attitudes to disability

Landport Film-Makers are working on the ThisAbility project; Comparing attitudes towards people with disabilities both now and in the 19^th century. Landport Film-Makers is a small community group with a track record of producing documentary films reflecting people & culture in Portsmouth.

All those with an interest in issues affecting people with various disabilities are welcome to attend a meeting / illustrated talk followed by discussion on

16^th October 2013, 1:00 - 3:30pm

In Portsmouth City Museum, Museum Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2LJ.

Light refreshments will be provided. 

For more information, contact: landportfilm-makers@hotmail.co.uk / Telephone: 023 9278 6184.