| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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The Branch Disabled Members Group was set up after Equalities Officer Irene Stout called a meeting three years ago attended by disabled members from City Development, Social Work, Finance and the Voluntary Sector. It was clear the branch has been falling down in meeting the needs of the members, with a particular problem being communications. Branch Officers stressed the resources were there but sytems to consult on what was needed had to be improved. For example, literature can be made available in many formats for the visually impaired. Signers are always at branch meetings but it was recognised we had used meeting venues which did not have a loop system. Many members stressed their annoyance that they had only got details of the meeting by accident. Clearly, communications between stewards and members needs improved if the right information is to get to the right members. It was accepted the Branch Office was far from perfect but assurances of other interview/meeting facilities on demand offered some reassurance. Many other internal issues were discussed and it was agreed a programme of needs would be made up by the members at a future meeting. The debate at times was heated but there were specific reasons voiced at to why members were there
The Disabled Members Group is now firmly established and delegates have been elected to the Branch Committee and the Equalities Committee. Irene Stout, Branch Equalities Officer said “The next task is to build a network of members to revive black members tructures in the branch." Contact 0131 220 5655 for details or email branchoffice@unison-edinburgh.org.uk
Branch extends sign language interpretation service Equalities Officer IRENE STOUT outlines the signing services available in the branch - and the wide range of services provided by the Edinburgh & East of Scotland Deaf Society Communication Support Unit. Members with hearing difficulties should be aware that a signing service is available over all of the branch’s activities, not just at meetings. Members will recognise the excellent service provided by sign language interpreters at branch meetings. Their presence is vital if the branch is to ensure the active participation of members with hearing difficulties. And this year we have extended the availability of signers to committee meetings. The offer has already been taken up by the Equalities Committee and the Disabled Members self organised group. Our signers are employees of Edinburgh and East of Scotland Deaf Society and are based in the Communication Support Unit. They provide assistance in many ways. Their services can be used at interviews, medical appointments, training courses - even social events. In fact they can assist you anywhere, anytime. As well as signing they can provide for lipspeaking, deaf-blind interpreting, note-taking and speech to text transcription. Based at 49 Albany Street (Tel 0131 556 3128) the Communication Support Unit can be contacted during working hours.
Large print All materials for the AGM were produced in large print this year both in hard copy and on the website. Look out here for more and more materials being made available in this way - and remember, just contact the branch office for materials in the format that you need. Contact 0131 220 5655 for details or email branchoffice@unison-edinburgh.org.uk Or fill out the Equalities Survey by clicking here
At first Eileen Brunton found her management less than helpful when she had access problems in her workplace. But when UNISON stepped in things began to move There should be no such word as can’tSocial Worker Eileen Brunton became a victim of Multiple Sclerosis several years ago. As the situation led to restrictions in her mobility, a wheelchair was increasingly needed to allow her to fulfil her duties. Management’s unhelpful response was to offer her “ill-health redeployment” which would have led to a substantial drop in salary and a move from the Social Work service, in which she has excellent qualifications and long experience. Enter Irene Stout, UNISON Branch Equalities Officer. “When Eileen contacted me, she was at the end of her tether. Management would not accept she was capable of doing the job she was trained for.” Irene’s first action was to tell management they were in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act and they must meet their responsibilities to Eileen. The matter was taken out of the hands of Eileen’s line managers and the council’s Special Needs Employment Team were brought into action. After a priority assessment, the specialists accessed external funding and Eileen was very quickly delivered a state-of-the-art wheelchair. Now she was mobile and looked forward to carrying out her duties
in the hospital. Irene visited Eileen’s workplace to see how she was getting on. “I could not believe what I saw. Eileen could not get access to her support staff, the premises were riddled with steps and stairs which were not only restrictive but downright dangerous. Eileen could not even get through the front door without assistance”. Irene called for immediate action from management who were now beginning to learn the error of their ways. As a result Eileen was relocated immediately, carrying out duties suitable to her Social Work background. She is now based in an environment which allows her to work on an equal basis with her colleagues and allows her to be independent. The icing on the cake is her skills have been recognised by the council who now want Eileen to draft a response to a research document on infertility, a field she has specialised in. Eileen said, “I was really lost when I contacted Irene Stout. Like most people I thought I could do it on my own but, until the union got involved, I was hitting a brick wall. Now I can get on with what I want to do, putting my knowledge and experience to play in helping others”. But despite the success, Irene warned, “There are so many people who do not contact the union when they have problems. They think things will be right in the end. “I’m happy Eileen’s situation has been resolved but I worry for those cases we don’t hear about. “With the resources available to help with access and other issues, there should be no such word as ‘can’t’”.
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