Union Learning Reps from across Scotland travelled to the Scottish Parliament today on Wednesday (16th January 2008) to have their say on Deaf Awareness, Dyslexia and Lifelong Learning.
‘Sign Here’ (Deaf Awareness Project in the Highlands & Islands)
MSPs met in the Scottish Parliament with Deaf Tutor Mary Whittaker, STUC Development Officer Pam Urquhart and Union Learning Reps from the Highlands and Islands to discuss deaf awareness issues in Scotland. MSPs Cathie Craigie, Marlyn Glenn and Peter Peacock took a “Deaf Awareness Quiz” and discussed ways of improving communication between union members and deaf people who use the services of their workplace. MSPs John Park, Sandra White, Karen Gillon and David Stewart also attended and took part in the discussion with Union Learning Reps.
The Sign Here initiative is a deaf awareness project for union members across the Highlands and Islands. The project is funded through the European Social Fund and is also supported by the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF).
Willie Chisholm, a firefighter from Fochabers who works in Elgin, says “It was a really good experience to visit the Parliament and explain what the course involved from a Fire Service point of view. We have benefited from learning more from the deaf community in our area. We got to explain the process of organising the courses to MSPs who have a genuine interest in these issues. It was good to explain how we have interacted with local deaf people and how as a result, the Fire Service provides better support to the deaf community in Elgin.”
Pam Urquhart says, “It was great to see MSPs engage in the issues surrounding deaf awareness and to hear first-hand how trade unions and our partners are addressing communication barriers in the workplace.”
ENDS
For further information contact:
Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team Email: jpayne@stuc.org.uk Tel: 0141 337 8100 Mob: 07702 836 478
Pam Urquhart, Development Officer - Highlands & Islands STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team Email: purquhart@stuc.org.uk Tel: 01463 248 905 Mobile: 07702 836 481