A new website by the Royal National Institute of Hearing (RNIH) has been launched.
Its theme, "Imagine a World Without Money".
Ask the Readers:
What do you think? Throw us your thoughts in the comments.
See also:
The Sickness of Deaf Awareness Week: Imagine A World Without Sound
The Elizabeth Foundation went one better than the RNID for Deaf Awareness Week. Instead of using hearing people to subtitle sound and make everyone cry; they used real live deaf children, and sent them off on a listening walk:
The [deaf] youngsters listened out for as many different sounds as they could and recorded it on their clipboard and tape recorder.A highlight of the walk was a visit to the building site of the Listening for Life Centre which will be the base of Bradford Royal Infirmary's Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service and is right next door to The Elizabeth Foundation in Smith Lane.
Run this one past me.
This was how I would interpret Deaf Awareness Week. Increase awareness amongst the hearing community that deaf people exist. Remind them of the barriers that they face, and how to work in partnership with and actually provide access.
Is that a reasonable interpretation? Yes? No? Seems not.
I don't see the Elizabeth Foundation practising none of the above? Its a hearing agenda: lets make deaf children fit into our world. Through this objective, we have a underlying oppression happening. Listen a bit harder, deafness is your problem not anyone else's.
You are broken. We can't accept you as a deaf person, pretend hearing person instead. Conform to hearing ways. Force the normalisation stereotype, and don't encourage diversity. And who decides this agenda? Hearing people, who aren't actually deaf themselves but for some unknown control issues, they would like to push this agenda.
I get some deaf people actually will use hearing aids as a means for sound, but that's not the issue here. Chucking such messages in the press such as "showed the exciting opportunities and potential deaf children have today through learning to listen". This strong promotes a value judgment around normality, conformity, lack of diversity and difference. It has a wider ripple effect on the rest of us: communication is your problem. Everyone must aspire to be normal. You fail to do so, and its your failure. This ends up having ripple effects on e.g. employability of deaf people, and lack of willingness to make adjustments.
Deaf awareness week should not be an excuse to be oppressive, or promote oppressive attitudes.
Source:
Hearing aid youngsters listen to building site!
See also:
The Sickness of Deaf Awareness Week: Imagine A World Without Sound
Its Deaf Awareness Week, and the RNID has excelled itself at being the most patronising and paternalistic deaf organisation on planet earth.
Before I go on, its no secret that I have my reservations about Deaf Awareness Week, but that is the subject of another blog post. However, I would imagine the aim of such a week was supposed to be about deaf people - in whatever form - being accepted and respected in society. To promote equality by changing attitudes.
Or did I get that wrong? It seems so.
So what does the largest deaf organisation in the UK do? Launch a campaign called Imagine A World Without Sound. Before you read on, go and take a look around the website, and judge for yourself. Warning: the video does not contain any subtitles. UPDATE 2: Click the T on the video for subtitles (Thanks Anon).
Take a moment to imagine if you couldn’t hear birdsong at dawn or danger signals in the street, enjoy wonderful sounds like a baby giggling or listen to your favourite music.
Okay, get your violins out. Now. Also reach for your box of tissues. Hearies everywhere drop at the feet of deaf people, and all lets have a communal Wallow In Pity Session.
The RNID also sends staff dancing around London in fancy dress, subtitling noise. Their innovation never fails to astound.
That organisation needs to be closed down, and fast. I am fed up to the back teeth of some hearing marketers who basically don't have a bloody clue, portraying me and others to the world. And in the process wasting public money, because there is nothing positive about this.
A clueless hearing person viewing that website might take away the following messages:
- I value my hearing
- I need to feel sorry for deaf people
- deaf people can't do XYZ because we don't have people dressed up in fancy dress costume 24/7 to help them
- deafness is a terrible tragedy
- deaf people need help
- sound is important, everything in life hinges on this. Lets rub that in the face of deaf people, your existentialism (or life) is of lesser importance.
Etc.
And here's me sitting inside on a sunny afternoon, having to spell this out for free to a multi million pound corporation. Whilst hearing people create this spin, and then take home up to £100k salary. That is taking the piss. Veiled as for the benefit of deaf people.
The website also runs a sound competition, in the form of photography.
Capture the sounds you love to hear.
This is not a deaf awareness campaign, this is a hearing awareness campaign. There is nothing "deaf awareness" about this.
I can see how deafened people might latch onto this mentality, but even a deafened friend has said they really do not need this. Deaf and deafened people already exist, as deaf and deafened people. They still need to be respected by those around them, and does this website achieve that? No.
Imagine if an organisation that got funding for black issues ran a campaign: IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT WHITENESS, and let their staff loose in the streets in some art form, with white people painted black.
Think about it; this is not a campaign about the benefit of deaf people in society, it is a campaign about how awful deafness is. And furthermore, it is extremely bad timing in a climate where deaf people have been trying to kick back on negative media attitude and spin. Instead a deaf organisation (which churns over £50 million each year) supposedly "helping" us, is actually giving the media and the government a further excuse to oppress.
The entire campaign does nothing but play on people's fears over something they've possibly not experienced before. The issue with this approach is that it does nothing to counteract attitude within society. It goes on to state:
We want [to] .. carry out vital research into deafness and hearing loss.
And the video states:
Your donation could help develop vital treatments to prevent or restore hearing loss.
In other words, medical research for hearing people to get rid of deaf people. Then they provide a DONATE ONLINE button. Sick.
Ask the Readers:
So what do you think of this campaign. Love it or loathe it? Tell us in the comments.
UPDATE 1:
Gwallgofi: Perfecting the Art of Being Deaf
All the Young Dudes: Celebrating Neurological Devastation Week
SignFire: The World Without Sounds - My Entries
UPDATE 3:
North of the Stupid Line: Deaf people, my ass!
UPDATE 4:
All The Young Dudes: Deaf Awareness Week: People of the Lie
Connecting Bristol introduced Jeff McWhinney as a guest vlogger, in recognition of Deaf Awarness week. Jeff's first post is introductory and introduces a Festival of Ideas.
The first video in the post is in BSL, which is good (more BSL online please):
For those of you who don't understand BSL, the original post has English text underneath. Unfortunately the second video is neither subtitled or signed, thus I'm not sure what its about apart from a statement on social enterpreneurs and a link to Innovation Exchange.
This begs a wider question, who exactly is Deaf Awareness week for? And what's its aim? Something I want to touch on in another post.
Ask the Readers:
What does Deaf Awareness week mean to you? Is it a waste of time?
See Elsewhere:
Significan't
BSL Jeff's Vlog
====
This is why deaf organisations have a lot to answer for...
====
The scene: My kitchen, this evening. Doorbell rings.
C (my partner): There's someone at the door. [goes to front door, opens it]
Through the glass door, I (Jen) can see three people on the doorstep; one of whom is wearing a weird bib thing (think netball) with "NDCS" on it. I bid a hasty retreat to the back garden to throw breadcrumbs out for the birds. A minute later, C appears and persuades me to go to the door.
I go into the hall, to find NDCS Bib Man stroking our dog, who is lying across the doorway, with two very smart looking women standing behind.
Bib Man: SaysomethingbutIhavenoideawhatblahblah.
Me: [pointing to bib] Can't you sign?
Bib Man: [going red] Er, no.
Me: Can you?
Woman 1: No.
Me: Can you?
Woman 2: Er, no.
Me: [voiced over by C] You work for the NDCS and you can't sign? Shame on you!
Bib Man: [redder] Well, I've only been working for them for three weeks.
Me: [voiced over by C] Oh, plenty of time to learn then!
Bib Man: Er, yeah. Um, have you had any services from the NDCS recently?
Me: [voiced over by C] Um, not lately. I'm 33!
Bib Man: No?!
Me: Oh yes.
C: I don't think there's much you can tell us about the NDCS that we don't know already.
Bib Man: Well. Bye then!
[they leave]
Me: And now they're going to tell our neighbours all about deaf children.
C: Well I hope they don't think it's because of you!
Go here. Says it all.
Wonder if it was for a catalogue of condoms, to stop you having deaf babies ("RNID does not support the selection of a deaf embryo for IVF implantation where a hearing embryo is available")?
And to think they churn ~£50 million smackers per annum, to look after us and again:
to promote and encourage the prevention and mitigation of deafness and the better treatment, education, training, employment and welfare of people who are deaf or hard of hearing .... to promote, safeguard and protect the welfare of such people
You must be prevented, but at the same time let all those 100k salaries care for your welfare! We pretend to do equal rights too, telling the government this and that, representing you all without consultation / telling you what's happening. But on the same coin want to get rid of you.
Also, just ignore the fact we can't get our own house in order. Deaf senior managers at our organisation, or rather a lack of, let's brush that one under the carpet. 100% hearing SMT, and a BoT not that far behind. Hearing CEO. Hearing Chair. So what?
Mixed messages? No! You're simply imagining it. All whilst you're lapping it up on benefits, because lets keep you in your place and justify our existence.
Priorities beautifully aligned, society at its zen. Ahhhh!
Here endeth the lesson
Can anyone out there explain to me in clear, simple terms why deaf people need charity? Why exactly? This is not a joke question; I truly do want to know.
The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary describes charity as:
A system of giving money, food or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor or homeless, or any organization which is established to provide money or help in this way.
Does this apply to deaf people? If so, why?
(OK, the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary does not know everything - nobody does - but we could use that definition just to help us to think about it. If we follow that 'rule', why do deaf people who are not ill, poor or homeless need charity?)
Discuss...
jen
What I'd like to know is which bright spark at the RNId came up with the downright offensive idea for an Ear of the Year* competition?!
"Ears are beautiful and amazing things and we think they have been neglected for far too long! So we've launched a search to find the UK's sexiest ears," say the RNId.
Well, I disagree! In general, I find ears rather weird to look at. Let's face it, most ears are just funny shaped bits of skin, mine included. Sexy? I don't think so. I'm much more of a fan of hands or eyes, myself.
And if your ears don't work, what's meant to be amazing about them?! Mine are useful for holding my glasses on, but that's it.
Haven't the RNId got anything better to do other than encourage people to take photos of their ears, and me to type grumpy blog posts during my lunch break?!
For heaven's sake.
jen
* The red bit is a link. Click on it!
It's Learn to Sign Week this week (1st-7th October). Check out the BDA's new Learn to Sign website here!
Also, there will be a Deafie on The Paul O' Grady Show at 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday). Whoopee do!
Not forgetting See Hear is back on Wednesday, in its rather crap new 1pm mid week slot. I still object (see link below)!
Anyway, if you can't sign... this week is the week to learn!
jen
See also:
Save See Hear!
Here is a BBCi report on mental health services in Scotland, more to the point the rnid is calling for better services.
Now I don't dispute for one minute that access to mental health services needs to be improved. However, I've got one question: what's this news report in aid of? They want better mental health services in our interests, or are they trying to bag some more funding / expansion / organisation PR, i.e. their interests?
Somehow I suspect the latter. I've heard from various sources that the rnid was involved with some mental health steering group in Scotland, pretended to do the lets all work together thing, get the information and now it appears to be going off on its own to bag such services for itself. Not the first time its done this. If it was doing the lets all work together thing, how come there's no mention of anyone else? Actually, why not drop the organisation name, and focus on DEAF people themselves?
Now another question: would you go to a deaf organisation for delivery of mental health services? Say you became ill and needed treatment. Would you be happy to go to super sized deaf organisation to get better?
Sometimes deaf organisations need to understand they are the cause of mental health problems, or at least a significant catalyst towards this. Would you go to the rnid for treatment?
Ask the readers: what do you think of this move, is the organisation working in our interests or theirs? Would you go to a deaf organisation for mental health services? Whatever your answer is, what's your reasoning?
Deaf people's and deaf organisations interests, can they ever be the same?
Do you think public services are equipped to figure the issues when it comes to mental health delivery? Do we ever get asked what we want?
At the BDA Congress, we at GOD offered Francis the opportunity to say whatever he liked to our readers/viewers, and he accepted the offer. So, here he is:
... so if you're interested in the BDA and/or Deaf education, get the next train to Southport!
Jen
(English translation for non-BSL signers below...)
Continue reading "Statement from Francis Murphy, BDA Chair" »
I generally put my money where my mouth is, so went along to the first day of this year's BDA Congress in Southport yesterday to show my support etc. Unfortunately I can't go today, but hope this post gives readers some idea of what it was like. The theme focussed on education and our rights through language and cultural equality.
As someone who's been to about 10 BDA Conferences / Congresses throughout my life, I was saddened to see only about 70 people were there. However, this actually made the whole thing feel more intimate - when Dr Paddy Ladd got up on stage for his paper, he said it was a shame there were so few of us, but that meant each of us was "doubly important" - cool way of looking at it!
Indeed, I didn't realise at first, but there was a definite air of informality about the whole thing; there were NO suits, NO grand speeches with flashy PowerPoints and NO BDA staff rushing around with clipboards. In fact, I don't think I saw any BDA staff at all, except one. It seemed to be being run by volunteers, which kind of brought the BDA back to its roots, perhaps. The atmosphere was humble and almost apologetic; new BDA Chair, Francis Murphy was open and honest throughout, and kept apologising for the lack of publicity and countless other things.
I have to say I enjoyed the day I spent at the Congress - the BDA deserves to be praised for managing to pull it off despite the hard time they are going through right now.
David Muir - Doncaster School for the Deaf and a father
The first paper, Bilingual Education: Why it's the best option and how it can be improved, was by David Muir, who is a father of two Deaf girls and works at Doncaster School for the Deaf. David made it clear he was speaking in a personal capacity and his paper was generally good and informative and very PRO 'proper' bilingualism (not just pretend bilingualism where teachers can't sign fluently etc), but went on rather too long, I am afraid.
The main points David made were that the three main problems with Deaf education are that it leads to the high possibility of mental health problems, low achievement and low self esteem and self confidence. Notably, he said, Deaf people should control Deaf education. Finally! A hearing educator finally said that in public!
Dr Paddy Ladd
Next up was Dr Paddy Ladd, with a paper on Deaf Culture, Deafhood and Deaf Education. Watching Paddy made me feel more politically motivated than I have in a long time! It's just a shame there weren't more people there to watch him, because God knows, the UK Deaf community could do with a dose of political motivation at the moment. That and a kick up the arse!
Paddy talked about the disastrous effects of colonalism, and how Deaf people's identities would be stronger if young Deaf people's education introduced them to Deaf culture, thus developing their Deafhood at an earlier age than now. He discussed how Deaf educators are more likely to use Cultural Holism when teaching Deaf kids, treating them as whole people, and acknowledging how the Deaf and hearing worlds are different, explaining what it means, how to live and how they have a place in the world.
Paddy said we need to be stronger and work with our hearing allies without being mistrustful of them taking over. He also said we need more hearing allies - largely hearing parents (90% of us have them, anyway!) - the media is far more likely to listen to radical hearing parents than Deafies having a demo! We need more action, a BDA education campaign group, youth camps and youth leadership programmes, volunteers and so on. We need many things!
I hope the BDA listens to Paddy because he signed a lot of sense.
Professor Bencie Woll
After lunch, I missed the first part of Bencie Woll's paper on bilingualism - I also missed the title because it wasn't in the programme, but it seemed to be a linguistic perspective. Not really my cup of tea, I'm afraid, as I'm not really a linguistic person and Bencie was a bit academic, talking about the brain and stuff!
However, I was really pleased to see Bencie signing for herself, which is sadly a rare thing for hearing people do to... that was cool. In summary, she talked about how people in the Deaf community are bilingual even though they think they aren't, and gave some facts about language acquisition and the education of Deaf children, including how BSL actually helps English literacy, not the opposite, as the oralists claim. In conclusion, Bencie said that Deaf people should have the opportunity to be bilingual. Too right!
Workshops
Last off, I went to Paddy's workshop on Deafhood (the other one was on linguistics) which was quite interesting, with people talking about how the DDA is actually rather crap - some people said they liked it but I am not one of them! - and discussing how the BDA could offer more support for parents of Deaf children.
BDA involvement with UKCoD
The only thing that pissed me off all day was when Francis mentioned that the BDA is thinking about re-joining the chocolate teapot of British deaf organisations, UKCoD. Yes, I know many people would agree with this, but again I am not one of them, and I stood up to tell Francis that. Apparently UKCoD is desperate to have more "Deaf" input - how very funny since they stole our BSL recognition campaign(!) - and have begged (??) the BDA to reconsider. However Francis said they will make sure they have more teeth this time round and I sincerely hope so because UKCoD has a big jawline. AGH.
Whatever. The BDA needs support at the moment and I hope that there are more than 70 people there today. Wish I could be one of them but I cannot. And I really wish more people would do more supportive things for the BDA rather than sit on their arses and slag them off! They need us now, probably more than ever before. As the late great Dorothy Miles said, and was quoted many times yesterday;
The BDA is you and me, and together we will fight for equality!
Coming very soon:
* An exclusive BSL statement from Francis Murphy, BDA Chair (shame on See Hear for not going up to film!!)
* An interview with the magnificient Dr Paddy Ladd, also brought to you on video.
Jen
Recognise anyone?! Congress news coming SOON - watch this space!
BUAV has published a guide, as to which charities are ethically sound when it comes to donating. It describes itself as:
to help animal lovers support health-related charities, secure in the knowledge that their donations will not fund animal research.
Such a publication has to be commended, and a step forward. It is interesting to note that the RNID is not listed so does this mean they fund animal research, and not suitable for BUAV's list? Their quest to eradicate deafness comes with funding animal testing through medical activities? Fund the UK version of this, perhaps?
As we know the CEO in waiting of the RNID - Jackie Ballard - is currently the Director General of the RSPCA, which promotes the welfare of animals. She's gone on record as supporting this, examples can be seen here and here. Will her new job contradict her old one?
Please use the comment box as to your views on the differences between cosmetic and medical testing, what is necessary and not. Are attempts to eradicate deaf people a necessary procedure?
One comment I do have to make about this guide is how it makes the distinction between funding research (which the guide focuses on) and the indirect support organisations perhaps give?
For example, NDCS is listed in the BUAV guide (see page 7), thus ethically sound and a good donation choice? (There should be a disclaimer here in the interests of transparency, Michelle Thew was once acting CEO of NDCS, now CEO of BUAV). NDCS as an organisation operates a policy of informed choice, and within this produces such publications as Quality Standards for Cochlear Implants. Whatever your views on CIs, quality standards are possibly ultimately about safety, and to ensure say a CI is safe, it will have been tested someplace else. Thus whilst not direct funders of testing, there is an indirect element here, and could be said riding on the backs of others?
CIs is just one example, and the same could be said for genetics, tinnitus even a new implant has been tested on animals in respect of balance disorders.
I do know that the same argument in respect of secondary or indirect effect, and part of a bigger system could be applied to many of the other charities that are listed on that publication, perhaps with the distinction without intervention a human dies, e.g. cancer.
Perhaps one could argue, if you can't beat the system or change the world (you are just one building block), just do the best you can to work with it. Or should people be promoting organic communication, and changing society? Where do you think charities should be the agents of change in respect of this. Who dictates direction: the status quo or the norm, or a minority group?
However, since the BDA is focused on sign language, how come its not listed? Or is that too obvious, but the point is there re promoting viable alternatives to communication, where no compromises have to be made. Or is the BDA secretly funding Koko now?(!)
My question is: where do you draw the line with support for animal testing? Where does support begin and end? Do you think deaf charities are supporting animal testing, either directly or indirectly? Would you give money to charities that fund animal testing? What do you think? Discuss.
Source:
BUAV Guide [PDF]
Third Sector
See also:
New RNID CEO: Jackie Ballard, Acting CEO Brian Lamb
... not. I don't think even the RNId can afford this hearing aid. For a start, it's made from solid 24-carat gold and is studded with 220 diamonds. It has a remote control. It is expected to sell for over £25,000.
Jeesh. And yes, it's real! It was designed by a bloke called Barry Moule for a company called Widex:
"Creating this aid required the services of Barry Moule a highly specialised London-based jeweller with a unique set of skills. “Though I have produced exotic items such as jewel encrusted mobile phones in the past this is the most unusual project in my career,” commented Moule."
... So it looks like lots of rich hearing aid wearers are going to have to fight over it. Too bad if you want a matching one for your other ear(!)
Jen
See also:
Coming soon: will you be forced to get your hearing aids from the RNID?
Autonomy and Gurning
RNId = The New Google?
I can't believe that the BDA London / South East Office was closed a few weeks ago, and they seem to have forgotten to tell us! An email to members would have done the job. [ Or even better, a blog! WISH THE BDA WOULD GET A BLOG! I volunteer to help them to set one up, if that is any use (I suspect not, but anyway) !]
Dawn, thanks for the reply to my last post on the BDA - I really do support the BDA and want to see it thrive, as I am sure you understand. So it is with this support in mind that I will be going to the Congress in Southport next week, or at least some of it, depending when I can get time off work. Hope to see many Deafies there to show their support too!
If you're reading this blog, it would be interesting to know if you're going to the Congress, and if not, why not? Comments in the comment box below, please!
There is new information about the Congress here - programme etc - thanks to Tony B for the heads up.
Jen
I would like to thank Alison and Jen for inviting me to guest blog here. You’ll never guess what I’m going to talk about! I thought I would share some of the tricks I’ve found that RNID apologists seem to use to sweep criticisms of the charity under the rug. They may not always be deliberate, but they are certainly mistakes.
First, personal attacks or argumentum ad hominem, as a clever clogs might say. This is when an RNID apologist attacks the person making the criticism rather than attempt to refute the criticism itself e.g. suppose I’ve just said that “RNID are not accountable,” then the incorrect answer is that I am a “nasty, ungrateful person who whinges, whines and carps, etc, etc.” Even if all of those things were true, it doesn’t actually answer whether RNID are not accountable, let alone refute it.
Then there is the bandwagon argument or argumentum ad populum, where it is pretended that just because a lot of people or a “majority” support something, it must be good or true. Just because RNID has 37,000 members who are quiet or disagree with the critics does not mean that the critics are wrong.
Next, we have misdirection, or diversion, where the criticism is met with something completely unconnected to it. Let’s say that somebody has said that “RNID have a terrible record on employing deaf people.” A misdirection would be to reply “Well, RNID are not perfect, but….” and then trot out the usual Brady Bunch tales about type talk, the legal casework team, the tinnitus helpline and other things that have got nothing to do with employing deaf people at RNID.
An equally cheap trick is the use of emotional blackmail, which often combines with misdirection. A basic form would be “You can’t criticise RNID because they help deaf people!” Saying that ‘it’s a little sad’ that people would protest against RNID when they ‘help’ all sorts of deaf people, including people who are ‘old and not hearing so well’ is just using people as human shields to deflect criticism.
Don’t forget the pretence of conditionality – when it is suggested that people have to do something more than simply be a deaf or hoh person before they can complain about RNID – e.g. they have to join as a member, become a trustee or have a private audience with the Duke of Edinburgh. RNID are answerable to all “Nine million” deaf and hoh people that they explicitly claim to represent.
Finally, we have the presumption of positive, when it is claimed that RNID are “positive” and doing lots of helpful things whereas the critics are “negative.” This can easily be turned around when you argue that the critics are positive about the ability of deaf people to speak and act for themselves and manage their own affairs, whereas RNID are negative. Indeed, having no deaf or hoh people in your entire senior management team is the ultimate vote of no confidence.
The bottom line is that deaf people have the right to say what they want to say to RNID and it’s apologists without being dismissed or insulted, bullied and manipulated. RNID are our agents, not our masters – it is for them to do our bidding.
Jackie Ballard has been appointed the new CEO of the RNID. The official press release can be found here, and here's the wording:
RNID appoints Jackie Ballard as new Chief Executive - 30 July 2007RNID, the largest charity representing the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, today (31 July 2007) announced that it is appointing Jackie Ballard as its new Chief Executive.
Commenting on her appointment, James Strachan, Chairman of RNID, said: "We are delighted to have been able to recruit someone with the exceptional ability and experience of Jackie Ballard to lead RNID through its next stage of development.
"As well as being an accomplished leader in the voluntary sector, Jackie brings her huge experience of political affairs and a public service background to the cause of changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people.
"Jackie is joining an award-winning organisation which was recently acknowledged as one of the leading lobbies in the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. I am confident that she will build on that success."
Jackie Ballard said: "I am delighted to be moving to RNID after five highly enjoyable years at the RSPCA. It has been an honour and a privilege to work for the RSPCA and it's very reassuring that I’m moving on at a time when the Society is in such a healthy position and has achieved so much, particularly our successful campaign for the new Animal Welfare Act.
"I’m ready for a new challenge and very much looking forward to my new role at RNID. I count myself extremely lucky to be moving from one fantastic organisation to another."Jackie Ballard takes over from John Low who is the new Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation. She will take up the position on 22 October 2007.
This is the e mail that James Strachan sent to staff:
I am delighted to announce that the Board of Trustees have appointed Jackie Ballard to be the next Chief Executive of RNID.Jackie is currently Director General of RSPCA, a post she has held since 2002. She served as Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton, Somerset, between 1997 and 2001. Previously she worked in local Government as both a Further Education lecturer and a social worker.
We have been able to recruit someone with exceptional ability and experience to lead RNID. As well as being an accomplished leader in the voluntary sector, Jackie brings her huge experience of political affairs and a public service background to the cause of changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. As you all know, Jackie is joining an award-winning organisation and we were recently described as one of the leading lobbies in the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. I am confident that she will build on that success.
Jackie will join us on 22 October. In the meantime, the Trustees have asked Brian Lamb to be the Acting Chief Executive from 1 August.
I am sure that you will all give Jackie every support as she continues to maximise our impact on the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people.
James Strachan
Jackie Ballard's Wikipedia entry can be found here.
An interesting ethical dilemma
Since cochlear implants have been tested on animals, and continue to do so, one has to wonder how a person who has previously been CEO of the RSPCA (protecting animal welfare) can be CEO of an organisation which in its strategic plan wants to aggressively cure deafness (there is a source for this, anyone remember where?). Such medical research invariably comes with animal testing. So could someone please tell me how the two add up together.
Deaf involvement at the top?
We now have both a hearing Chair and a hearing CEO, with a 100% hearing SMT (7 members). On its board of trustees out of 11 trustee members: there is one Deaf person and one deafened person (please correct me me I'm wrong). This is 18 people in power making decisions, and just 2 members of its beneficiary group at the top. If its beneficiaries are failing to get to the top of the organisation or be a part of its function, how can the charity label itself as successful in what it does?
Ask the Readers:
Do you know if any Deaf / deaf / deafened / hard of hearing people applied for this post? If so please tip us off using the comments box.
Update: See this comment, which points to this link. It appears that Jackie Ballard is blind in her left eye:
Only one has a disability - Jackie Ballard of the RSPCA is blind in her left eye.
Do you think this qualifies her to understand us? Please leave a comment below.
See also:
Vlog on that new Chair appointment
New RNID Chair: Gerald Corbett
Chair BoT RNID: advert difficult to find on its website?
Photo Friday: Deaf Chair Now
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
Well, you never know what they know.
jen
See also:
Coming soon: will you be forced to get your hearing aids from the RNID?
Autonomy and Gurning
The problem with having deaf organisations communicate with the government "on our behalf" is that they are communicating THEIR interests which is NOT necessarily the same as OUR interests (Deaf people). Government departments and other bodies need to realise that the voluntary sector and individuals are not the same, and there is a massive conflict of interest happening.
Furthermore, we aren't actually consulted or information reaches us before changes happen.
Proposals for hearing aids:
The Department of Health has published proposals around contracting out services to the voluntary sector. Hearing aids are a central part of this. In other words we would go and get our ears tested, then be issued with a prescription. A bit like a prescription for glasses or medication.
It is then proposed you would take this prescription along to the RNID, and they would issue us with hearing aids. The RNID would be provided with money by the Department of Health, to issue NHS hearing aids or you could have the option of paying for private hearing aids. The RNID here would effectively become a retailer.
My initial thoughts:
- your personal details would be held in yet another one of their databases, and they have access to our medical information (used to develop other services, and become a monopoly charity?);
- they already hold a monopoly over subsidised relay serivces, and due to their hugeness perhaps other services too / no choice to go elsewhere;
- it would give more power to this organisation that has little regard over accountability to its user base;
- these proposals were available earlier this year, and I only found this by chance. Who is bothering to consult with us, and are we happy about? In my case no way;
- why hasn't this information been made available to us before now, so we could express our thoughts?
Ask the Readers:
Would you be happy if the NHS gave you a prescription for hearing aids (new, replacement, serviced, etc.), and you were then told to take this prescription along to the RNID to get your hearing aids? Do you want this proposal to go ahead?
Does anyone know where this proposal is on the DOH Procurement and Proposals site? Is there a consultation, or if there was one has it passed? This is perhaps something that we need to respond to, if possible.
Source: Third Sector (full article below).
Update: An excellent post from The Coterie of Zombies on this, go read.
Continue reading "Coming soon: will you be forced to get your hearing aids from the RNID?" »
... in no particular order:
The Deaf Film and TV Festival has become Deaffest, and you can find info about that here. People keep emailing me about it so I thought I should blog it!
There's an interesting interview with Sandra Duguid here. She's great in Playing God... you can still catch a performance in London or Edinburgh, I think. The Manchester one was good!
Finally, I would link to info about the BDA Congress, but I can't find any on their website. Even the BDA's events calendar says nothing is happening in August! Not true. Here's the info (and no, I do not work for the BDA... I just think these things should be shared, and I am grumpy because the BDA hasn't shared it widely. I'll probably get into trouble for saying that. Whatever.):
Theme: 'Rights through Language and Cultural Equality'
Date: 8-11th August 2007
Where: The Southport Theatre & Floral Hall Complex
Address :Promenade Southport, PR9 0DZ, UK
01704 540454, 01704 514770
Info from Sarah Murray: sarahm@bda.org.uk
As we all know, the BDA has been through a lot recently. All the more reason to go along and show support if we can! Paddy Ladd's giving a paper - don't miss that!
See you there?
Jen
Colin Saunders has been held personally liable by an Employment Tribunal, and ordered to pay Jayne Fletcher £2,310; rather than Walsall Deaf Centre.
“Miss Fletcher has indicated that she did not want the deaf centre to close as a result of this claim and continues to believe that the centre carries out a valuable service within the deaf community."
Bringing any action against any deaf organisation for Deaf people is a difficult move, in the sense that emotional blackmail is often paid: we will take away services from Deaf people. You too don't want this, yet this smokescreen is too frequently the excuse to cover up much behaviour; and the bottom line its a form of bullying. One can only hope that such a judgment will improve future working conditions for employees, particularly Deaf ones.
Further reporting below.
Source: Charity boss held personally liable in discrimination case
See also:
Employment Tribunal Judgement: Walsall Deaf Centre
Continue reading "Employment Tribunal: Colin Saunders personally liable" »
If you haven't seen LEAKED - unofficial PR from RNId Chair vlog already, I would suggest you go and watch it. Humour never fails to get a point across.
No prizes for guessing what Gerald Corbett's sign name would be amongst the chattering classes.
See also:
New RNID Chair: Gerald Corbett
Chair BoT RNID: advert difficult to find on its website?
Photo Friday: Deaf Chair Now
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
The RNID has appointed Gerald Corbett, to be its new Chair. He was the former CEO of Railtrack, recently retired as Chair of Woolworths and was appointed as Chairman for SSL in 2006 (that manufactures Durex contraceptives).
So what does this man know about Deafies? What's his personal experience? Does anyone know? If you are a reader of Rob's blog, you will know that he published the job description and person specification for the Chair. Listed as highly desirable, but not essential was "Personal or close experience of deafness".
That aside, seems that RNID PR is being its usual fantastic self, and letting the mainstream first. There is nothing about this appointment on the RNID's website, at the time of writing this.
Gerald Corbett, the former chief executive of Railtrack, has been appointed chairman of deafness charity the RNID.Corbett, who has recently retired as chairman of the retail group Woolworths, will take over from James Strachan, who has been involved with the charity for the past 14 years, as both a trustee and chief executive.
“RNID is one of the leading voluntary organisations in the country and I want to build on the achievements of James and the management team,” Corbett said. “I am looking forward to working with everyone at the RNID on making the world a better place for deaf and hard of hearing people.”
Corbett is also non-executive chairman of Britvic, the drinks company, SSL International, a manufacturer of healthcare products and Greencore Group, a supplier of food ingredients.
He takes over formally on 26 October.
Source: Third Sector
Anyone wishing to do more background reading here's Gerald Corbett's entry on Wikipedia.
See also:
Chair BoT RNID: advert difficult to find on its website?
Photo Friday: Deaf Chair Now
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
Some of you may remember this on the Deaf Liberation Front (DLF) website back in 2002:
See also:
Chair BoT RNID: advert difficult to find on its website?
Photo Friday: Deaf Chair Now
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
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?
Power of blogging?
The vacancy of the Chair has finally been put on the RNID's website.
BUT!
I challenge you to find it. I've given you enough clues, by the fact I've told you its there. (Navigation may be improved, so if you're reading this much later, please take this into account).
Question: has its membership been informed that this vacancy exists? Please use the comment box.
See also:
Photo Friday: Deaf Chair Now
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
Taken in May 2001, and so applicable 6 years later. Does anyone ever learn?
See also:
Hanson Green: Deaf Recruitment Experts?
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
Since Hanson Green are doing the recruitment for the BoT @ the rnid, would people mind going over to their staff page and figuring out what any of them know about DEAF people? Even better, dig around Google if you can. Want know what makes them the experts to lead this recruitment, apart from mainstream stuff. For that matter, what d/Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened people will they know how to reach out to, since its a mainstream recruitment agency. So far, its not thought if they've advertised outside the Sunday Times. Anyone else know of other places?
Please feel free to comment. No-one else is bothered I assume?
See also:
Chair BoT @ RNID only advertised in mainstream press
An international blogger tries to explain re RNID
RNID: Banging some drum, and who hears it?
John Low and James Strachan resign from RNID
Low: RNID CEO needn't be deaf or hard of hearing
John Low the soap star!
An advert for the Chair of the Board of Trustees @ the rnid appeare