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US Labor Department and Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to co-host disability employment |
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Written by U.S. Department of Labor
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 23:36 |
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WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will co-host Lights! Camera! Access! in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 10. The event will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and facilitate open dialogue between the Labor Department and entertainment and broadcast industries to explore strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
This event is open press.
WHO: U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Chairman John Schaffner
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez
Prominent panelists to include Robert David Hall, actor, Crime Scene Investigation; Janis Hirsch, producer, Brothers; RJ Mitte, actor, Breaking Bad; Ray Bradford, national director, American Federation of Television and Radio Arts; Allen Rucker, chair, Producers Guild of America; and Rebecca Yee, national director for Screen Actors Guild, among many others
WHAT: Lights! Camera! Access! Program to encourage strategies for employing
people with disabilities in the entertainment and broadcast industries
WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT
For a copy of the entire agenda, contact Clarisse Young. Highlights:
9 to 9:30 a.m. PDT Welcome remarks by Secretary Solis and Chairman Schaffner
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT Panel on Internships, Mentoring and Filling the Pipeline
to be moderated by Assistant Secretary Martinez
12:30 to 1 p.m. PDT Closing remarks and action plan to be presented
by Assistant Secretary Martinez
WHERE: Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Conference Centre
5220 Lankersheim Blvd.
North Hollywood, Calif. 91601
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Princess Royal visits adult learning centre |
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Written by Press Association (England)
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 23:29 |
An adult learning centre in Greenwich was visited by HRH The Princess Royal on Wednesday to help celebrate the success of its programme to help people back into education.
The Community Learning Champions Project at Volunteer Centre Greenwich, organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace), offers accredited and non-accredited training to volunteers who promote learning in their homes, workplaces and communities.
The programme, which has been run in Greenwich since 2004, received Government backing last year. Since then, 50 educational projects across the country have been given funding, with more than 700 people being awarded Community Learning Champion status.
As part of the celebration, the Princess met a number of volunteers who have taken part in the programme.
She said: "Wear your badge with pride. My hope is that from today onwards the Community Learning Champions badge will become as instantly recognisable as a mark of quality, as the brand of organisations such as the Save the Children or St John Ambulance, two bodies I have some association with.
"I will certainly be spreading the word for Community Learning Champions and I hope that you will do so too."
Angela Wilden, one of the Community Learning Champions in Greenwich, said the programme had allowed her to develop her own confidence as well as inspire others to take up learning.
Angela, who has lived in the area for 27 years, left school with no qualifications due to her dyslexia, but learned to read as an adult to help her two children with learning difficulties.
She said: "What I have gained the most from being a Community Learning Champion is the pleasure of being able to motivate others into learning and volunteering.
"I feel that I have helped others to spread the word about adult learning and volunteering and how it can help with family life.
"Children can feel proud of their parents' achievements which can encourage their children to do more."
Mark Ravenhall, director of operations at Niace, stated: "In the past, Community Learning Champions projects have lacked national support and recognition.
"However, the launch of the Community Learning Champions Support Programme has successfully raised awareness of the role that these projects can have in opening up opportunities to informal adult learning.
"This could not have been achieved without the Government funding that has been committed to these crucial local projects."
"By celebrating the experiences of projects like the one in Greenwich, we are able to highlight the real difference that Community Learning Champions can make to their communities, particularly in areas of deprivation and to people whose previous experience of learning has been poor."
Niace is a national charity that encourages adults to engage in learning. It organises a range of personalised training courses, lobbies policy-makers and ministers, and runs campaigns to highlight the importance of education.
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Award launches in memory of learning disability champion |
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Written by Press Association (UK)
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 23:32 |
An award has been launched to celebrate the life and achievements of a
learning disability champion who died last year.
Dimensions, a not-for-profit provider of support for people with
learning disabilities and autism, has created the Erica Award as a
tribute to former board member, Erica Morton, who died aged 45.
Erica was one of the first people with a learning disability to become a
member of the Dimensions Board.
The award will honour inspirational people with learning disabilities or
autism who are making a real difference to the lives of others.
Dimensions is now calling for nominations for the award, which is open
to anyone with a learning disability or autism who deserves recognition
for their dedication to helping others with the conditions.
This could be someone who has set up a social enterprise, carried out
volunteering work or started a community group.
Dimensions said Erica was known for speaking up for people with learning
disabilities and always tried to make a difference to other people's
lives.
An award of up to GBP3,000 will be presented to the winner of the award to
fund personal development or a learning experience. Four runners-up will
also be rewarded for their dedication and commitment.
David Wolverson, chief executive of Dimensions, said: "Erica helped to
shape our organisation.
"She always asked the question: 'What about the people we support?' This
is our way of remembering her and we hope it will become an annual
event."
The deadline for entries is October 15 and winners will be announced at
the Learning Disability Today exhibition in London on December 8.
Anyone can make a nomination by completing a form, which is available to
download from www.dimensions-uk.org/ericaaward or by emailing
ericaaward@dimensions-uk.org.
Dimensions provides support for more than 2,300 young people and adults
who have a broad range of learning disabilities and/or autism.
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Summer school brings music and drama to disabled people |
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Written by Press Association (UK)
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 23:26 |
Internationally renowned musician Michael Copley and leading disability charity Papworth Trust are combining forces for a special musical workshop.
The trust is holding is holding its ninth annual summer school this month. This will once again give budding writers, musicians and performers over the age of 15 the opportunity to learn new skills while working towards the show which takes place on the final day.
Disabled people are invited to take part in a variety of singing, music and drama activities led by a team of professional performers, including Michael Copley, a virtuoso flautist and recorder player. Michael specalises in playing traditional, early and folk woodwind instruments and has performed in more than 15 countries.
Previous experience is not necessary as new skills will be learned throughout the week. However, many regulars will be returning to take part again.
Brian, who took part in last year's workshop, said: "I would recommend it, I found it most enjoyable".
Claire, who has been all the summer schools since they launched nine years agom added: "Last year was brilliant! I enjoyed playing my guitar in the group. I think the staff were excellent and I liked the food."
Amelia Hodson, centre manager at Papworth Trust, said: "Our summer school is part of our comprehensive creative arts programme for people with physical and learning disabilities. I'd like to invite anyone interested to get in touch to find out more. We offer an informal approach and encourage participants to make their own decisions about which activities they want to take part in."
The summer school runs from 19th to 23rd July, 9:30am to 4pm, at the Huntingdon Methodist Church, 17 High Street, Huntingdon. It will culminate in a show at 2pm on Friday 23rd July at the same venue. Anyone wanting to attend can just turn up on the day.
The school costs £80, which includes lunch each day and people who already take part in Papworth Trust programmes will receive a 25% discount. For more information and to book a place, contact Saira on 01480 357209 or email saira.carmody@papworth.org.uk
Papworth Trust provides services such as employment, vocational rehabilitation, housing, personal support and learning for life and work for more than 17,000 people from East Anglia and beyond.
It also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice. For more information go to www.papworth.org.uk
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Jonathan Shar Comments 04 Sep 2010 Hits:20 Reel