Yesterday DeafDC published a post: Are Deaf Grant seekers Disabling Themselves? When I caught the title of the post, I immediately thought that this was going to be a post about paternalism, and the effect of charity can bring. However, I was wrong, and it was a post around not applying for enough grants.
This is possibly an example of how attitudes, and possibly economic conditions vary wildly from country to country. In the UK we have way in excess of 400 deaf charities. The UK isn't that big! Why do we need a number like that for?
Saltbar republished something more close to my thinking. I would suggest you go over there and read it. (Oh and be nice and leave a comment - its a new UK blog, something we need to encourage).
This article is so applicable to the situation in the UK, where charities actually take away actual consultation with Deaf people themselves. 100% hearing Board of Trustees and SMT, within deaf organisations, is not uncommon in the UK.
Due to this set up, it possibly encourages no ownership. And people wonder why there is apathy?
Comments (1)
I did a bit of number crunching the other day, I'm mind boggled atthe sheer wastage....Grumpy, we've NEVER had it so good, well, someone has never had it so good ! so where has all the cash gone ? 400 charities is 399 too many ,and I thought the deaf hated charities ! not enough NOT to take their money obviously, or to want to run these charities themselves.
We need to rid the deaf and HI community of these one-year wonders who set up 'advice centres and support' for deaf people, and then spend it all on a computer and an empty office, THEN, start looking for someone to advize. Biggest offenders ? DEAF PEOPLE .......
Posted by MM | May 17, 2007 8:28 PM