Abridged June 2008
A word from new GSD Chair, David Merkel
I am honoured to be taking over the Chairmanship of the GSD for the second time. I am also deeply saddened by the untimely death of my predecessor, Sue Maynard Campbell. She was an exceptional woman and a stalwart champion for disability rights. Sue did not know the meaning of ‘No’ or ‘cannot’.
I am currently the GSD’s member on the Law Society Council voicing the inclusivity agenda at every opportunity. We continue to make our views known and how they impact on Law Society business. This will continue under my year in office. In this context, I am grateful for the continuing support and encouragement of the Law Society.
Following our AGM on 22 May I hit the ground running and was interviewed by the Law Society Gazette. I stressed the GSD’s inclusion agenda but gave special emphasis to the particular needs and interests of students, trainees and newly qualifieds.
So we embark on a new GSD year together with a strong vibrant Committee and the support of the membership. Next year we will celebrate our 20th anniversary.
I promise to continue the wonderful work instigated by Sue. I recognise that we have to strengthen our links with the Law Society and in so doing continue serving the interests and needs of the disabled legal community.
David Merkel
Chairman
Group for Solicitors with Disabilities
How far should the Disability Discrimination Act go?
(From Personnel Today)
A recent Glasgow employment tribunal ruled that baldness was not a disability. James Campbell, a 61-year-old retired teacher, argued that his baldness was an impairment which had a "substantial and long-term adverse effect" on his ability to do his job as a result of alleged teasing and bullying by the pupils he taught. More information available here: http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/04/29/45648/how-far-should-the-disability-discrimination-act-go.html
Lie detectors to be used to detect genuine sickness absence
Lie detectors could soon be used to deter workers from 'pulling sickies', after the government hailed trials of the technology a success.
Employer groups welcomed the idea of using the Voice Risk Analysis (VRA) system to tell when staff are lying when they call in to say they are too ill to work. More information available here:
http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/05/12/45778/lie-detectors-to-be-used-to-detect-genuine-sickness-absence.html
AXA secures two ticks for employment practices
AXA has been awarded the prestigious "two ticks" disability symbol from the Department of Employment.
The disability symbol has been developed to enable employers to demonstrate their commitment to employing those with disabilities and sends a clear message that as an employer AXA will be positive about the contribution disabled people can make to the company. More information available here: http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/05/06/45677/axa-secures-two-ticks-for-employment-practices.html
TUC Guide advises employers on mental health issues
A new guide, entitled “Representing and supporting members with mental health problems at work: Guidance for trade union representatives” is now available from the TUC website. The document, produced with the assistance of Disability Forward, recommends that unions work with employers to encourage job applications from people with mental health issues, and urge individuals to disclose any mental health problems they may have. The document is available in PDF format here: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/mentalhealth.pdf
'A radical rethink': tackling mental health prejudice
Earlier this month Trevor Phillips called for a 'radical rethink' by employers to unleash the talent of people with mental health conditions in a speech for the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health. He called on employers to 'create a workplace which cultivates openness, provides support and promotes mental wellbeing.'
You can read more about this speech at the website of the Equality and Human Rights Commission here:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/newsandcomment/speeches/Pages/Weneedaradicalrethinktohelpmentallyillatwork.aspx
Patients lose smoking ban appeal
High Court judges have ruled psychiatric patients should not be allowed to smoke at a high security mental hospital. For more information on the judgement, please click here
Prejudice rife over people with facial disfigurements
Research by the charity Changing Faces has revealed people with facial disfigurements are likely to be marginalised in life and at work because little is expected of them.
The study revealed that although all respondents claimed to have no prejudice against those with facial disfigurements, in reality 90% of 1,000 people held implicit prejudices.
More information available here:
http://www.changingfaces.org.uk/show/feature/Pr-9-out-of-10-prejudiced
United Nations convention
A U.N. convention aimed at ensuring equal rights for the world's 650 million disabled people in work, education and social life went into force on 3rd May 2008
The pact, the first of its kind and billed by the United Nations as the first new human rights treaty of the 21st Century, took effect 30 days after being ratified by 20 countries that have signed it. That figure has since risen to 25, but does not include the United Kingdom, United States or Russia. More information available here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7498042