Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents

Children, Disability and Development: Achievement and Challenge

A Save the Children Fund global seminar to learn from experience and maximise impact - Extract from Conference Report - April 13th - 22nd 1994

Session 14 - Lessons from SCF's Experience in the UK: Policy and Practice

Facilitators: Eamonn Keenan and Sophie Lawes

Aim of session:
To inform participants of the process undertaken by the UK and European programmes Department to implement equal opportunities policy in respect to disability issues.

Objectives:
By the end of the session participants should:
1. Understand guidelines;
2. Understand how one division (Northern Ireland) attempted to implement them;
3. Make links and look at one model for implementing policy to assist in planning one for the Overseas Department.

Summary:
Eamonn Keenan from Northern Ireland and Sophie Lawes of the UK Policy Unit presented a very stimulating session which highlighted many similarities and gave overseas participants fresh ideas. In Northern Ireland, the process of implementing the disability policy began in 1989. This involved a carefully planned programme of training and networking.

The focus was on developing standards in terms of:

• The community and partner agencies and their contacts with disability organisations;
• Ensuring disabled children and young people were using the project;
• Ensuring physical, material and communications access;
• Ensuring staff recruitment, employment and support took account of disability issues;
• Including disability issues in monitoring, evaluating and training processes.

The audit process of assessing current practice throughout Northern Ireland is now complete, and a training pack will be available in summer 1994. There have been many recognisable changes in terms of access, awareness, strategies and staff involvement.

Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents

19/11/1997