Why is there no course feedback recently?


Louise has been working on behalf of ECDP in providing training for Essex County Council around self-directed support since July. We are unable to reproduce this feedback on our website.


Can I still commission a course with you directly?

Yes, Louise still runs courses, workshops and similar as a freelance consultant and trainer.

Tags Individual budgets | personalised support | putting people first

What is the difference between Disability Equality and Disability Awareness courses?

Before commissioning training, talks or workshops, you should consider why you are doing so. What do you want to achieve?

It is likely that you want to ensure staff and customers are treated equally and respectfully to comply with Disability Discrimination Legislation. This is civil legislation within an equality and rights based perspective.

As such, an awareness course is unlikely to be sufficient in providing staff with the knowledge and skills required to eliminate inequality should the legislation be used. (See below)


Characteristics of Awareness Courses

Some or all of these will be present:

• May be run by a disabled person but not always.
• Risk of focusing on individual impairment experiences of trainer
• Use of simulation exercises (Medical approach)
• Often focuses on language, attitudes or how to communicate.
• Can include practical ‘helping’ tasks or how to ‘meet and greet’.
• May provide a brief explanation of the DDA.
• Should never be used as an alternative to equality training in relation to legal requirements.
• Suitable for staff who may require practical skills following the beneath DET.

Characteristics of Disability Equality Training (DET)

Courses should include these key components:

• Designed and run by disabled people.
• Focuses on a rights not charity approach.
• Recognise multiple oppression (E.g. increased discrimination experienced by black disabled people)
• Looks at disabling barriers and solutions that exist.
• Enables participants to make constructive changes at work and personally.
• Often tailored to focus on parts of the DDA of relevance for participants.
• Equips participants with the ability to recognise discriminatory language, images and attitudes.
• May use case studies or examples from the recent experiences of disabled people.
• Suitable as part of a staff diversity learning and development programme.

Tags equality