Disabled Young People from across the Globe gathered at the First ever ‘Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable event’ during CHOGM in London

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Include Me TOO, a national (United Kingdom-based) charity celebrated their 10th Anniversary this year during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 held in London. During the CHOGM Summit the charity organised the first ever  Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable Event as part of the‘Commonwealth Include Me 2’ joint project led by Include Me TOO with the Commonwealth Youth Council to increase the inclusion, rights and participation for disabled children and young people from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) represents 1.2 billion young people from across 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

The roundtable event took place at the House of Lords as an official side event for the Commonwealth Forums Summit 2018 and hosted by The Hon Baroness Uddin and The Hon Lord Holmes.

‘It was a privilege to host the first ever Commonwealth Disabled Youth Event on behalf of CHOMG, given that 60 percent of the Commonwealth population is under the age of 30 years. Include Me TOO were instrumental in bringing together youth delegates from different parts of the world to the House of Lords as the event marked a step in the right direction for disabled youth to have a seat around the table and discuss issues that matter to them.’  said The Hon Baroness Uddin 

‘I was delighted to attend the Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable event in Parliament this week.  The presentations given by the young people from across the Commonwealth were excellent and packed with insight.  They provided great hope for the future.’ said the Hon Lord Chris Holmes

Disabled young people representing Uganda,Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Botswana, Bangladesh and United Kingdom presented in topics which mattered to them and their peers, highlighting key issues impacting on disabled young people from their respective Commonwealth member countries. The focus was upon the Global Sustainable Development Goals ensuing disabled persons are not left behind. The presentations covered:

  • inclusive and fair quality education which promotes lifelong learning opportunities for disabled persons
  • addressing additional disadvantages disabled girls and women experience in particular when working towards their inclusion in the Gender Equality agenda
  • disabled persons and employment, improving access, support and negative attitudes in the workplace
  • highlighting key barriers and challenges disabled children and young people experience in Commonwealth communities regarding their rights, participation and inclusion
  • the importance of planning and implementing an inclusive accessible society, inc suitable toileting and changing places, inclusive playgrounds, sport and leisure facilities, public services.

‘It was a real privilege to hear directly from young people across the Commonwealth on the challenges and issues they face as young people with disabilities. I was inspired and moved by their personal journeys and the work they are now doing to seek justice and equality in their home countries. There were lots of important lessons and reflections to take forward to the DFID-hosted Global Disability Summit in July this year’ said Richard Boden (Deputy Team Leader and Summit Policy Lead, Disability Inclusion Team – Department for International Development)

‘The Commonwealth roundtable event, presented young people as change makers who have a clear understanding of the issues which impact them and their peers and solutions to increase disability inclusion, rights and participation for all. We are looking forward to working with disabled youth from across the Commonwealth strengthening their voices and impact on local and global issues including the Global Goals to be achieved by 2030 as well as the Disability Summit taking place this July 2018 in London with DFID. We will be working with our young ambassadors, disabled young activists and partners to establish the Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable as a key component for future CHOMG’s summits.   said Parmi Dheensa – Include Me TOO Executive Director

During Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting they agreed on several issues regarding disability rights and inclusion:

  • Full social, economic and political participation of all including disabled persons recognising it is essential for democracy and sustainable development
  • Quality education and learning guided by the principle to leave no one behind, they agreed to support marginalised groups, which includes children with disabilities to progress through secondary education and training through appropriate policies, advocacy and strategic partnerships.
  • Address the stigma around disability in all its forms ensuring no one is left behind
  • Encouraging all member countries to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Include Me TOO look forward to continuing working with disabled young people from across the Commonwealth to ensure their voices are heard and the issues which affect them are present on the agendas and discussions encouraging progressive action for disability inclusion and implementation of disabled persons rights.

First ever ‘Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable event’ taking place in London with Disabled young people from the Commonwealth

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Include Me TOO, a national (United Kingdom-based) charity celebrate their 10th Anniversary this year, the charity also developed the first ever National Charter of Rights for Disabled Children and Young People 10 years ago. The Charter received support by many national charities, government departments, government ministers and Prime Ministers signing up as signatories and providing statements of support for the charter in 2008.

Include Me TOO an award winning charity has led on disabled children and young people, and their families, from a diverse range of backgrounds participation and inclusion for over a decade, with innovative and creative approaches. The charity is committed in promoting and supporting social justice, equality, inclusion and the rights of disabled children and young people.

This year London is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)2018 and the Commonwealth Forums Summit is one of the forums being held during the week commencing April 16th 2018. During the summit the first ever Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable Event has been organised by the charity as part of the‘Commonwealth Include Me 2’ joint project led by Include Me TOO with the Commonwealth Youth Council to increase the inclusion, rights and participation for disabled children and young people from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) represents 1.2 billion young people from across 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

The roundtable event is taking place at the House of Lords, on Monday 16th April 2018 as an official side event for the Commonwealth Forums Summit 2018and hosted by The Hon Baroness Uddin and The Hon Lord Holmes.

‘I’m a passionate supporter of improving life chances and opportunities for disabled people to live the life they want to lead. I know many other Queens Young Leaders, Commonwealth Youth Award nominees, and Associate Fellows of the Royal Commonwealth Society, agree with me – with disability being the issue most prioritised by Queens Young Leaders when last surveyed. There is real passion among young people to make a positive change, and the institutions of the Commonwealth must channel that passion into real action.’ said Jonathan Andrews – Queens Leader and Young Ambassador (Include Me TOO)

There will be presentations by disabled young people representing the Commonwealth discussing the Global Sustainable Developmet Goals (SDG’s) including disabled young Ambassadors, Lucy Watts, Jonathan Andrews, Saliha Rashid, Paul Ntulila, Vibhu Sharma and Honey Jones representing Include Me TOO. Young people will be sharing their views and perspectives from their countries regarding issues affecting disabled young people and increasing representation and involvement of disabled young people in the Commonwealth.

‘We are delighted to have the support of the Commonwealth Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Youth Council as we host a momentous roundtable event strengthening the application of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and building upon the National Charter of Rights for Disabled Children and Young People we produced with young disabled people which gathered many signatories from government and NGO’s a decade ago. Being the first Commonwealth Disabled Youth roundtable and providing them with an international platform to share their views and be heard is certainly a positive move for progress, inclusion and participation. We are looking forward to the event with all our partners and building upon the aim of this occasion with the Commonwealth.’   said Parmi Dheensa – Include Me TOO Executive

For further information please contact us via Email: dot@includemetoo.org.uk

Contact number: 01902 399888/01902 711604    

Disabled Champions come together to support National Summit in Birmingham for Disability Inclusion and Rights

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World Health Innovation Summit, Include Me TOO and Birmingham City University have come together to build and strengthen a national platform for Disability Inclusion and Rights with a host of disabled champions. The national summit event is taking place on Saturday 18th November 2017, 10am to 4pm at Birmingham City University.

In the UK we have over 12 million disabled people of which over 800,000 are children under the age of 16 years.

This event marks the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 10th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration. The event will provide an insight to the numerous areas overlooked impacting on the lives of disabled people, sharing expertise, learning and inspiring to achieve the future we aim to achieve a Disability, Inclusive, and Safe Society for All.

Amongst our speakers are disability advocates and personalities Kamran Malik CEO Disability Rights UK, actress Sam Renke, journalist Mik Scarlet, award winning campaigner and presenter Adam Pearson and TEDx speaker and World Champion Para triathlon (swim, bike and run) Steve Judge.

‘The national summit will be providing a platform to review the challenges and the progress made over the last 10 years since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We aim to share ideas, create solutions and opportunities for building a Disability Inclusive Society. We are delighted to have such a diverse range of speakers sharing their knowledge, experiences and achievements. Furthermore they are supporting the event as they recognise to make real progress for disability rights and inclusion and the many issues the disabled community experience throughout their lifetimes a collective effort is crucial. This event is a start of a much needed conversation as we all have a role in creating a world where our diverse disabled community can truly have a sense of belonging and are valued’.
Parmi Dheensa Include Me TOO

‘In societies which function well, every single member of that society both contributes to and benefits from the collective energy and productivity created by everyone working together for the common good. Including everyone isn’t just the right thing to do, it actively strengthens and builds a sense of community and well-being throughout society. One in 15 of us are disabled, and often don’t feel properly included. We short- change all of us when we exclude even one person. Help us change that, come to WHIS Birmingham and help us start essential conversations to ensure that nobody gets left behind.’
Gareth Presch and Yvonne Newbold, World Health Innovation Summit

‘I’m proud to be an elected student officer who campaigns on behalf of students with disabilities, to ensure they get the best possible student experience, whilst they are studying at Birmingham City University.  Myself and my colleagues within BCUSU and the University, work hard to ensure Birmingham City University is a fully inclusive place to study’
Amanda McCabe, Disabled Students Officer for Birmingham City University’s Student Union (BCUSU)

The event topics will be covering:

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP) what the reality is in UK
  • Inclusive technology supporting Independent Living, Support and Access
  • Building stronger foundations for Disability Inclusion through Media
  • Safeguarding and ending violence, and all forms of abuse against disabled children and adults   
  • How can we ensure we have disability inclusive implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Increasing opportunities and choices to disabled persons inclusion and contribution towards sustainable economic growth and access to employment
  • Building a disability inclusive, safe and accessible society with inclusive transport and public spaces

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Issued by Include Me TOO, Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN
For further information please contact us via email:im2@includemetoo.org.uk or visit the event page on our website.
Contact number: 01902 399888/01902 711604

Leaving No One Behind

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ACHIEVING AND SUPPORTING DISABILITY INCLUSION AND RIGHTS.

Date: Saturday 18th November 2017
Venue: Birmingham City University

This event marks the (CRPD) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 10th anniversary  and the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration. The event will have speakers presenting on a range of topics, various panels for discussions, workshops all aiming to share solutions, insights and sharing learning to achieve the future we all aim to achieve a Disability, Inclusive, and Safe Society for All.

To book a place or stall please download and complete a booking form.
Closing date for bookings is Tuesday 14th November 2017.

For further details please do get in touch:

Email dot@includemetoo.org.uk or
Mina Patel on im2@includemetoo.org.uk or call us on 01902 711604 

 

Presentations, Panel Discussions and Workshops:

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP) what the reality is in UK 
  • Recognising Multi discrimination and the role of CRPD and Equality Act 2010 
  • Inclusive technology supporting Independent Living, Support and Access 
  • Building stronger foundations for Disability Inclusion (Media and Access)
  • Safeguarding and ending violence, and all forms of abuse against disabled children and adults   
  • How can we ensure we have disability inclusive implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Increasing opportunities and choices to disabled persons inclusion and contribution towards sustainable economic growth and access to employment
  • Building a disability inclusive, safe and accessible society with inclusive transport and public spaces

In collaboration with World Health Innovation Summit, Include Me TOO and Birmingham City University

 

Kamran Mallick

Kamran joined Disability Rights UK as its Chief Executive in July 2017. He is the former Chief Executive of Action on Disability, the Hammersmith-based disability organisation, where he worked for 12 years.

Kamran has also worked for the spinal injury charity Aspire as well as running his own business.

He serves on the boards of Inclusion London and the Lyric Hammersmith, and is chair of Candoco dance company. He is also a member of Transport for London’s Independent Disability Advisory Group.

 

Carly Jones

Carly is a British filmmaker, an Autism advocate and also the mother of 3 daughters 2 of whom are Autistic.Carly herself was diagnosed as Autistic by the National Autistic society's Lorna Wing Centre after her daughters in her 30s. 

Until recent years there was very little understanding of Autism and females and Carly used her life long interest and passion for media to raise awareness of Autistic females and try and erode the stigma of being Autistic. The Documentary "Epidemic of Knowledge " following her families multiple female diagnoses was screened at Cannes Film festival ,has won many Disability and women's issues awards globally and is this year being screened at the UN offices of Indian to raise awareness in hard to reach communities. Carly's Advocacy work is varied includes discussing Autism and those left behind at the House of Commons , the United Nations Geneva, The world Human rights forum Marrakesh and for BBC Three and Channel 4. She has recently written and published a free online course on safeguarding for Autistic girls out of education who miss out of PHSE lessons her long term aim is that every female who needs a diagnosis and support receives them as human right as even a clinically "mild " diagnosis in no way ensures a mild life experience for those left behind .Her suggestions on how to safeguard Autistic women and girls have recently been accepted and published by the UK government women's and equality committee .

Carly is currently excitingly preparing to participate in the BBC Class Act project for Disabled actors a to raise the profile a of actors a with disabilities in media which she feels is a wonderful reflection of the progress made for inclusion in the UK .The Jo Cox Loneliness commission and Scopes work shows that Media is a enormous agent of change in create more understanding in Disabled people’s reality’s when it’s considered and accessible in fictional TV shows and dramas. Carly will be joining us on the 18thNovember having just arrived home from the United Nations to see the ratification of CEDAWS article 19 which she submitted evidence too in 2016

Mik Scarlet

Mik is a leading disabled broadcaster and journalist, actor and musician. Mik is a disability right campaigner. Professional access and inclusion expert. UNICEF award for working with disabled children

Saba Salman

Saba is a freelance social affairs journalist and regular writer for the Guardian. She has reported on equality and diversity issues for more than 20 years; as a reporter on London local papers, an Evening Standard correspondent, a freelance feature writer for women’s magazines and a writer on housing and welfare for specialist weekly publications.

Saba’s particular focus is the UK’s overlooked population of 1.5m people with learning disabilities. Saba volunteers as a trustee of the charity Sibs, which supports the siblings of disabled children and adults, and has a younger sister with a learning disability.

Recent articles on learning disability include an investigation into the thousands of people languishing in long-stay institutional care, the need for new laws so people can challenge decisions about their care, and a focus on equal employment opportunities.

Saba is currently developing a book, Made Possible, a collection of essays by high-achieving people with learning disabilities.

Twitter @Saba_Salman
Guardian website
http://sabasalman.com/
The Social Issue

Samantha Renke

Lancashire born actress and public speaker Samantha Renke who currently resides in east London. Former teacher and trustee for the brittle bone society Renke moved to London five years ago to peruse a career in acting. Making her debut in indie film little Devil Renke won best actress at the LA diversity film festival. Since little devils success Renke has featured in a number of projects including last years groundbreaking Maltesers Advert featuring disabled actors. Supporter of the disability charity SCOPE and patron of Head2Head Theatre company Samantha can be seen on a number of television programs speaking out on disability equality. Regular blogger for the huffington post and lifestyle columnist for Pos'Ability magazine. As a self proclaimed fashionista samantha loves finding a bargain down brick lane or on eBay and would love to have her own petite fashion brand in the future , she is an a campaigner for better representation of disability within the fashion industry and has recently become involved with DIfa charity organisation which ushers for equality within the fashion world. Currently filming with the Huffington Post on their daily online series The New Activist. 

Leethen Bartholomew

Leethen is a qualified social worker with 18 years’ experience at both an operational and strategic level. He currently works for the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) as a Practice Development Manager. Before joining SCIE, Leethen worked as a probation officer and then as a frontline social worker. Leethen then became the Community Partnership Advisor for a Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). This role focused on improving the awareness, skills and knowledge of professionals on issues related to Female Genital Mutilation, ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, children abused through faith and belief, child trafficking/modern slavery, private fostering and radicalisation.

Leethen is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Sussex. His research is a retrospective study on adults accused of being possessed or labelled a witch during their childhood. The research specifically focuses on the impact of an accusation on those accused and their siblings. There is also some focus on the role of professionals, community and faith leaders in safeguarding these groups of children. 

Sarah Rennie

Sarah is a member of the steering group of Sisters of Frida CIC, an experimental collective of disabled women. Professionally, she is an accessibility and inclusion consultant and former property litigation solicitor. Within Sisters of Frida, a voluntary role, she co-leads on strategy and speaks at many events around the country on issues affecting disabled women. Sarah has just returned from speaking at the UK review by the UN Committee on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She is also vice-Chair of Birmingham's Access Committee. 

Isabelle Garnett

Isabelle is the mum of two extraordinary young people, one of whom has autism and other complex co-morbidities. She has decades of experience in navigating the labyrinth of education, social care and health services, most recently fighting to get her son out of an acute treatment unit and to have a positive and fulfilling life in the community. 

Isabelle holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Autism Education and has been the Lead Practitioner for Autism in a Federation of six mainstream primary schools, providing reactive and proactive support, and managing its autism support team.

Isabelle has experience campaigning and working with the media (television, radio and press) and charities (such as Challenging Behaviour Foundation, Young Minds and Mencap) trying to achieve meaningful and positive change for people with autism, learning difficulties or both, who are still living in acute treatment units (ATUs).

Clenton Farquharson

Clenton has extensive knowledge around health and social care, particularly in relation to equality , human rights and co-production due to both personal and professional experience.

Clenton is Chair of the Think Local, Act Personal programme board. He is also a member of the Coalition for Collaborative Care Co-production Group, which brings together people, including people with long-term conditions, and organisations from across health and social care. Clenton is the trustee of In Control which is a national charity working for an inclusive society where everyone has the support they need to live a good life and make a valued contribution.

Clenton is Director of Community Navigator Services CIC, which is a Disabled People's User Led Organisation and is one of eight Fellows that act as an Skills for Care Ambassador, supporting, developing and maintaining relationships between Skills for Care and social care experts. 

Clenton was awarded an MBE for services to people with disabilities in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Steve Judge

Steve Judge's life was turned upside down following a near fatal car accident resulting in both legs being crushed and being told that he may never walk again.

Steve didn’t lean on his excuses but instead set goals and worked towards his aspirations with drive, motivation and commitment. Through years of rehabilitation and training he eventually represented Great Britain as a disabled athlete.

Through seizing opportunities and living life with no regrets he eventually achieved World Championship status in Paratriathlon (swim, bike and run).

Steve continues to work towards new aspirations in his life and his business ‘i.Nspire’ through delivering workshops, keynote speeches and projects with his ongoing mission of helping people, inspiring others and motivating many.

Dan White

Dan is an Artist, columnist, writer, ambassador, global speaker on inclusion NDA finalist for positive disability role model and creator of the Department of Ability.

Ashley Stephen

Ashley is the co-founder of Disabled Survivors Unite, an activist organisation creating change for disabled survivors of abuse and sexual violence. Their work focuses on campaigning, working with frontline and support services around disability access, and running a project that allows survivors to share their stories anonymously. Ashley also regularly speaks at events on issues affecting disabled survivors and has given evidence on this at a hearing in the European Parliament.

Hardeep Rai

Hardeep is the founder and Managing Director of Kaleidoscope Investments (Ki). Ki invests exclusively in disabled entrepreneurs with great business ideas, that are keen to start their own companies. 

He has spent 25 years in the Financial Services industry: 15 years working within Hedge Funds and the last 10 years as an entrepreneur, investor and business growth specialist.

He has also worked as client director at HB Prime Advantage, a growth advisory business founded by James Caan (ex-dragons den), which was focussed on helping to aggressively grow SME's businesses with a view to preparing them for an exit.

Robin Christopherson

Robin is a founding member of UK tech charity AbilityNet. Now globally acclaimed as leading experts in their field, AbilityNet specialise in accessibility and inclusive design, helping clients design attractive websites and apps that are easy to use by all.

Central to his mission is raising awareness of the power of tech through blogging and a busy public speaking schedule in the UK, Europe and the US.

Most recently Robin was awarded an MBE in the 2017 new year’s honours list for his services to digital inclusion. He also won the Special Award at the Tech4Good Awards 2016 in similar recognition of his services as a digital inclusion evangelist spanning two decades (previous winners include Professor Stephen Hawking).

Robin was also very honoured to come runner-up ‘UK Digital Leader Public Figure of the Year 2015’ (after the government’s own digital champion; Baroness Martha-Lane Fox) in the Digital Leaders 100 Awards– with AbilityNet winning first in its category of Digital Leading Charity.

Robin is also very proud to be a judge in the Global Mobile Awards 2017 (for the second year running) held in Barcelona -  www.mobileworldcongress.com/

Shani Dhanda

Shani is an award winning event manager, global voyager, disability role model, campaigner and Include Me TOO Ambassador.

She was born with a rare genetic condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), more commonly known as Brittle Bones. Over her childhood, she spent many summers in hospital with broken legs and learning how to walk again, until she was offered pioneering treatment to strengthen her bone density in her teenage years.

In 2011, Shani graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in Event and Venue Management, and her dissertation around barriers to accessible leisure was published by an American charity.

Shani is an accomplished public speaker delivering talks at hospitals and to medical professionals, conferences and schools as part of her efforts to challenge perceptions and change attitudes around disability, especially in Asian communities.

Taryl Law

Taryl is an experienced educational social worker, specializing in work with young people with learning disabilities and their families. She is also cofounder of How Do I, an award-winning social enterprise that supports life and vocational skill development for people with additional needs, raising aspirations and providing real-time support into employment and independent living through assistive technology.

Adam Pearson

Adam is an award-winning campaigner, actor and presenter. Adam was nominated as UK Documentary Presenter of the Year at the 2016 Grierson Awards. His credits include Horizon: My Amazing Twin (BBC Two), Adam Pearson: Freak Show (BBC Three), The Ugly Face Of Disability Hate Crime (BBC Three), Tricks Of The Restaurant Trade (Channel 4) and The One Show (BBC One). Adam appeared in the BAFTA-nominated film, Under The Skin, directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Scarlett Johansson.

Adam is an ambassador for Jeans for Genes and The Childhood Tumour Trust. Adam has won a RADAR Award and a Diana Award for his campaigning work.

Photo by Andy Weekes

Sulaiman Khan

The igniter of hearts creatively, a creative collaborator and adventurer, Sulaiman is an independent consultant, speaker, and writer on Divergent Leadership, Creativity, and Inclusivity + Advocacy. He is also the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of ThisAbility, the network that supports the best creative disabled talent. Sualiman is also an Ambassador for Include Me TOO

Angela C.O'Connor

Angela CEO of Train Ability, Disability Awareness WHIS Ambassador for Childhood Cancer Lecturer on Disability & Education Advocate for Accessibility for business in Ireland Regular Speaker on various Radio Stations JCI Young Person of the Year Finalist http://trainability.ie/about/

Angela OConnor

A call to Government for a SEND Equality Review

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A call to government for a SEND Equality review following a decade of failings to disabled children & families from diverse community backgrounds.

Charity is calling for the government to review the last 10 years of equality duties failings in SEND delivery to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Disabled Children Young People and their families.

BAME disabled children, young people and their families continue to be underrepresented in services uptake, participation and representative bodies. Furthermore have limited support to accessible information and advice.

During July 2016 House of Lords roundtable event Include Me TOO led on with Baroness Uddin a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability and All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism; Lord Chris Holmes, Chair of the Disability Committee at the Equality and Human Rights Commission and an Ambassador of Include Me TOO and partner organisation Equalities National Council, asking to readdress the balance of equality, race and disability.

The roundtable discussions highlighted concerns of SEND reform and delivery failing the Equality Duties in regards to the multiple characteristics BAME disabled children, young people and their families are protected under including the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child and Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities.

‘Whilst as diverse communities we need to increase disability awareness, acceptance, change attitudes and increase community support we also need to strengthen our voices in ensuring disabled children and their families are receiving support from services and having their needs met. Our main concerns and our involvement in this article was to highlight that substantial resources have been available over the last decade to improve services and support to disabled children and their families yet there are only a few pockets of practice which are seen as making progress regarding the needs of the BAME disabled children, young people and families. When resources are allocated to the BAME sector these are tokenistic small resources that are yet again to consult on how to improve BAME engagement and access, this is a waste of resources which could be allocated to strengthen the BAME sector who already are supporting these families and communities.

The bias culture needs to change and after a decade of meetings, advising on steering groups, highlighting the importance of equality and diversity with government officials and their strategic partners sadly there has been no progress to address the inequalities a generation of BAME disabled children, young people and their families have experienced and as a result the government and their partners in delivery have failed them. The barriers to diverse representation and contribution by having a ‘seat around the table’ are consistently made impossible surely this is an area which needs to be challenged as the strategic representatives and delivery partners for SEND do not represent the BAME sector of disabled persons, families and communities’. Parmi Dheensa (Include Me TOO Executive Director)

Include Me TOO are calling for a review to readdress the balance as a first step towards progress:

• Equality duties considered in decisions made by the DfE in regards to SEND policy, implementation and service delivery.

• Review of contracts and equality impact/outcome assessments of SEND programmes delivered since 2006 highlighting areas to meet ‘hard to reach’ communities.

• Review of the last 10 years of BAME representation in government level strategic decision making processes, advisory panels and delivery partners in the implementation of SEND

• Identify resources allocated specifically to reduce the inequalities of BAME disabled children, young people and their families to provide them with an equal chance.

• Review the last ten years national programmes such as Aiming High for Disabled Children, Parents and Carers participation, Early Support, Preparing for Adulthood, Short Breaks, SEND reform, Independent Supporters etc…

• Highlight lessons learnt and produce a disability equality and diversity strategy providing clear outcomes and tools to measure the needs of BAME disabled children, young people, young adults and their families are considered and supported.
Include Me TOO are further concerned that without real action and collaboration to readdress the balance within the existing mechanisms the barriers to the inclusion, participation, support and rights of BAME disabled children, young people and their families will continue.

For further details please do contact us on im2@includemetoo.org.uk Contact number 01902 711604 Mobile contact number 07940367753

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/08/midlands-mother-autistic-son-ingrained-minority-ethnic-prejudice

Global Disability and Inclusion for Disabled Children and Young People #IncludeMeTOO Video Campaign.

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To celebrate 10 years of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights this campaign is to increase the voices and visibility of disabled children and young people’s rights inclusion and participation in areas which matter to them #IncludeMeTOO     

The video campaign will bring together disabled children and young people across the globe and all video films will be complied into a film to be shared on a global platform later this year!

Entry to #IncludeMeTOO campaign is free entrants ages upto the age of 29 years. Each film to be no longer than 90 seconds to provide the following statement by first introducing their name, age, nature of disability or impairments and country they represent.

  • What are your dreams and aspirations?
  • What is your biggest challenge and barrier to your rights, inclusion or participation which you would wish to see removed?

 Remember to hold up a sign with the hashtag #IncludeMeTOO when you say this final statement.

  • ‘It is important to #IncludeMeTOO because ………..’

Please email your video to us at im2@includemetoo.org.uk or direct message us via twitter @includemetoo

When sending or posting your video to us or on social media should contain #IncludeMeTOO
#videocampaign

To get in touch with on twitter follow or like @includemetoo or on facebook Facebook.com/IMTOO

We welcome the support of schools and NGO’s to assist and encourage as many disabled children and young people across the globe to participate.

With signed videos it would be great if you can add captions or subtitles if possible or have an interpreter add voice over.

Any videos sent in with community languages can you also send a translation in English as this will assist in the final film launch when all videos are received during the year

If you have any further questions please do get in touch with us via email: im2@includemetoo.org.uk

What next? Get filming on you smart phones, with your schools and friends and let’s together share how we can build a Disability Inclusive & Safe Society for all.

Building the Right Support, Transforming Care Together

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A national conference organised by Include Me TOO and supported by NHS England and partners Bringing Us Together and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

  • Empowering Individuals
  • Right care, Right place, Right skills
  • Meeting Individual Needs
  • Building the Right Support
  • Choice and Control
  • Advocacy and Information
  • Transforming Care Partnerships
  • Rights, Respect and Dignity
  • SEND Principals
  • Person Centered Planning
  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“People with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families have an array of rights in law or Government policy – through human rights law, the Equalities Act, the NHS constitution, the Mental Health Act, the Care Act, the Mental Capacity Act, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and so on… [but] the lived experience of people with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families is too often very different. Too often they feel powerless, their rights unclear, misunderstood or ignored’. – Sir Stephen Bubb  

Partners:

 

 

 

 

Date: Tuesday 28th March 2017
Time: 10.00am –  4.00pm
Venue: Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton West Midlands WV1 4QR

Links are provided below to download the booking form and the programme.

Booking Form
Programme

The Conference will increase understanding and awareness of the Transforming Care agenda to disabled young people, parents/carers from diverse communities and stakeholders.

During this event delegates will engage in discussions and workshops regarding Transforming Care, Building the Right Support improving services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, who display behaviour that challenges, including those with a mental health condition.

Speakers will cover areas of how we can support and deliver the Transforming Care agenda, ensuring disabled persons and families can have their say in how they wish to be involved in their local Transforming Care plans.

The conference will also be highlighting the importance of the implementation of equality and rights approach to meet individual needs supporting rights and dignity.

Include Me TOO and Commonwealth Youth Council

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Strengthening The Participation and Inclusion of Disabled Young People Internationally.

Include Me TOO, a national (United Kingdom-based) charity, joined hands with the Commonwealth Youth Council, an international youth-led NGO, to advance mutual objectives.

Include Me TOO an award winning charity has led on disabled children and young people, and their families, from a diverse range of backgrounds participation and inclusion for over a decade, with innovative and creative approaches. The charity is committed in promoting and supporting social justice, equality, inclusion and the rights of disabled children and young people.

The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), as mandated by the Commonwealth Heads of Government as the official voice of the 1.2+ billion young people of the Commonwealth, have embarked on an 18-month campaign to promote the interests of youth with disabilities. Their priority areas are empowerment of young people with disabilities, both economically and as community leaders; recognition of the work of young PWDs; data collection about young PWDs. The CYC is supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat that recently launched the Global Youth Development Index and a clear call was made for age-disaggregated data. The CYC is going further to make a call for age, gender and disability disaggregated data so that no one feels invisible to evidence-based policy. Overall, the campaign seeks to change perceptions.

Both organisations are coming together to strengthen the participation, inclusion and rights of disabled young people internationally with Commonwealth member states. The partnership’s project titled ‘Commonwealth Include Me 2’ will also be promoting disability awareness and understanding aiming to increase the positive attitudes and acceptance as well as developing a platform for diverse representation of disabled role models. Another key areas of the project is increasing the involvement of disabled young people in the planning and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 2030’s agenda.

Over the next year there are a host of activities to expect from this partnership supporting this year’s Commonwealth theme, a ‘peace-building’ Commonwealth, Include Me TOO and Commonwealth Youth Council will be hosting

  • Two Twitter chats on the 14th and 17th March 2017 at 1PM GMT (Commonwealth week) to discuss ‘Ending violence and abuse against women and girls with disabilities’ and ‘Disability inclusion, rights, participation what matters’.
  • A Roundtable discussion where are we currently in supporting disabled children and young people’s rights in the Commonwealth.
  • Video campaign gathering stories of disabled young people globally their aspirations and goals.

Meet Pinky Lilani CBE DL – Our newest ambassador

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Inpinky-lilaniclude Me TOO are proud to announce that Pinky Lilani CBE DL has become our latest ambassador to support Include Me TOO joining AJ Joshi, Apache Indian and Chris Holmes MBE.

“I am honoured to support the fantastic charity Include Me TOO and to be involved in their work, and I know that with the charity’s drive and energy, it will go far and spread a lot of happiness.”

Bio:
Pinky Lilani CBE DL is a food guru, author, motivational speaker and internationally acclaimed champion for women. She is the force behind the annual Women of the Future Awards, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, The Ambassadors programme, The Inspirational Women’s Network, The Women of the Future Summit and the Global Empowerment Award. She is an associate fellow of the Said Business School, Oxford and Patron of DIL, The Westminster Society and Frank Water. She is an Ambassador for the Tiffany circle of the Red Cross and on the Board of Trustees of the Royal Commonwealth Society. She is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.

Include Me TOO is now World Merit’s Merit360 Official Partner

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Charities come together to provide global platform for disabled young people to be leaders of the future and changemakers.

This year marked the 10th Anniversary on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Include Me TOO’s CEO Parmi Dheensa attended the United Nation Headquarters in Geneva during October contributing towards the review of the convention and progress made in implementing the rights and inclusion of disabled persons. A key concern was how to increase opportunities for disabled persons to impact and influence change including the 2030’s agenda.

During September 2015 the 2030’s agenda was launched and 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and along with many disabled people’s organisations Include Me TOO have highlighted it is key the aspirations and contribution of disabled young people are included to ensure no one is left behind.

World Merit organised Merit360, a program of individuals aged 18 – 35 years to increase their skills as leaders and influencers developing a strategy of action to support reaching the SDGs and presenting these to the United Nations as well as implementation in communities around the world.

Include Me TOO’s vision is a disability friendly, inclusive safe society for all and SDGs can support this to become a reality particularly if disabled persons views and contributions are taken into account.

Include Me TOO are delighted to announce we are joining World Merit’s Merit360 as their official partner and during 2017 will be working in partnership to pilot a program of participation with a group of disabled young people from 4 countries to join like-minded peers in New York to develop an Action Plan to tackle the SDGs and present at United Nations.

“As an organisation World Merit prides itself in being Radically Inclusive. Our global network of over 120,000 changemakers is extremely diverse and is made up with people from all different walks of life. We are extremely proud of having Include Me TOO as an official Merit360 partner to make sure that no one of merit is left behind. Together we will reach out fullest height.”

said Marlou Hermson (World Merit – General Manager)

 

“As we make the 10th Anniversary of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we also celebrate it has been 10 years since we developed the Include Me TOO Charter of Rights for Disabled Children and Young People with them and for them. The standards are still relevant today reflecting the CRPD and the 17 sustainable development goals.

Disabled young people’s voices, aspirations and participation have continued to be central in all our work and we are delighted to be an Merit360 official partner working in collaboration to increase the global participation and representation of disabled young people’s contribution to SDGs ensuring disability inclusion and strengthening their voice.”

Parmi Dheensa said (Include Me TOO Founder and Executive Director)