++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Disability Research Network e-Newsletter: November 2007 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Editor’s Comments: Welcome to the 8th edition of the Disability Research Network e-newsletter (in association with the Research Institute of Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University and Breakthrough UK Ltd).  I would like to say a thank all those who contributed to this edition.   Please, remember to submit contributions for the next edition by latest 28th November 2007 so that we have the next edition on time. When submitting, please remember to use simple text version for easy accessibility. Once again, thank you for the wonderful support and I wish you the best. Best Wishes Tsitsi Chataika   Coordinator’s Comments:  Please find below the 8th e-newsletter from this newly established but expandable network. Our aims are to provide informal, off the press and informative monthly details of disability research activities, which might be of interest to audiences including disability activists, organisations of disabled people, students, researchers, policy makers, families, practitioners and local authorities. The idea for this newsletter emerged from discussions between the Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University (http://www.rihsc.mmu.ac.uk/) and Breakthrough UK Ltd - a social enterprise that draws upon social model ideas to promote employment advocacy, advice, support and training to disabled people (http://www.breakthrough-uk.com/). They encouraged us to share regular information from disability research, which might inform their work. This sharing and networking links into the aims of the Disability Studies Association and, we hope, will have broader appeal (http://www.disabilitystudies.net/). This network relies, obviously, on regular monthly input. What we would like from you, if you are interested:   1. The details of your institution and one contact person and their email address. 2. Monthly commitment to provide us with BRIEF information (inc. related web links) about disability research activities you and your colleagues are involved through emails each month me (you will be reminded by email). This could be no more than a few lines – and no attachments – as we want to keep it workable, informal and relatively easy to read. 3. To provide details on such things as news on forthcoming publications; conferences/seminars you are attending or hosting; funding opportunities of interest to disability researchers; news from local and national government; international disability issues; stories from research; ideas for research that you would like to explore with interested others; disability studies teaching materials and resources; links to new policy and user consultation, etc … 4. To provide in your email information categorised in terms of your institution e.g. ‘News from the Research Institute of Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University’; ‘Activities of the disability studies team at University of Northumbria’. 5. To make the email simple text without loads of formatting for ease of putting together. 6. To posit other ideas for developing the e-newsletter - perhaps a section on 'possible future research / funding priorities' which readers might be able to link into for funding bids. We hope you are interested.   Very best wishes,   Dan Goodley d.goodley@mmu.ac.uk +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. News From Manchester Metropolitan University, Research &Social Change Contact - Dan Goodley (d.goodley@mmu.ac.uk)   (a) DaDaFest 2007 16th Nov - 3rd Dec The NW Disability and Deaf arts festival, DaDaFest, covers the above dates - 3 weeks of Deaf and disability art, theatre, comedy, performance, workshops, discussions and exhibitions. Events in Manchester on November 23,24,28,30. Other events in Wigan and Liverpool. See the website for further details. http://www.nwdaf.com/dadafest/2007/     (b) Prof Dan Goodley presented a Keynote address entitled 'Postmodern ideas in Practice' to' Rethinking interprofessional education and development conference' hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning, University of Plymouth, 8th October 2007.   (b) SCWB SEMINARS: Dates for your diary - ALL WELCOME    (i) Jennifer Lavia, University of Sheffield   Postcolonialism As Aspiration: Articulating A Theory Of Hope Wednesday, 28th November, 2007 12.30 am - 2.00 pm - TEA & COFFEE PROVIDED   Room NTR, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus   (ii) Deborah K. van den Hoonaard, Professor and Canada Research Chair - St. Thomas University , Canada Meanings of Home: Widows' and Widowers' contrasting accounts of what it means to live alone. Thursday, 29th November, 2007; 4.30 am - 6.00 pm - Room NTR, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus TEA & COFFEE PROVIDED   iii) QRSCT + SCWB  Alexandra Zavos (Discourse Unit, MMU). The Shape of Water - The Manchester premiere of the award-winning documentary by Kum-Kum Bhavnani (details at www.theshapeofwatermovie.com)   The second in an occasional series of sessions on visual representation and social change. View the documentary and then discuss issues of content and form as they structure material concerned with the maintenance and subversion of contemporary subjectivity. Tuesday, 4th December 2007; 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm Room NTR, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus    (iv) Mark Vickers, University of Sheffield   'Is it all about me? How Queer!  Insider Research in Educational  Settings'   Wednesday, 5th December 2007 12.30 am - 2.00 pm - TEA & COFFEE PROVIDED   Room OB 113, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus Clive Baldwin, University of Sheffield   (v) Person-centred care as the management of living: An actor-network  analysis of living with dementia Wednesday, 6th February, 2008 12.30 am - 2.00 pm - TEA & COFFEE PROVIDED   Room NTR, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus Person-centred care (PCC) is held as an ideal in dementia practice. Focusing on the person, it is argued, is the way to high quality care that is dignified, respectful and, above all, human. While agreeing (mostly) with this approach, PCC comes at a price and in this paper I want to explore the underbelly of such dementia care.  It is my contention that PCC as usually conceived and realised is, ultimately, a form of management of experience.  My argument is thus: personhood, dementia and person-centred care can be viewed as three inter-related actor-networks.  While there  is some overlap, these three networks sometimes operate in conflict with one another - the relative strength of one network affecting the relative weakness of the others.  In particular, as the networks of dementia and PCC become stronger, the actor-network upholding personhood becomes weaker: the individual living with dementia is increasingly drawn into a management network. In order to make this argument I will: a)   Outline the basics of actor-network theory; b)   Outline the three actor-networks that constitute personhood,        dementia and PCC; c)    Explore some of the interactions between the three networks. In conclusion I will attempt to make some links between my analysis and the wider field of the sociology of medicine, health and illness.   Please confirm attendance to: Rebecca Lawthom: Phone 247 2559 or e-mail: r.lawthom@mmu.ac.uk or Dan Goodley: Phone 247 2000 or e-mail:  d.goodley@mmu.ac.uk   (c) Welcome to the new cohort of the MSc in Psychology and Disability students. For further details of this course contact Rebecca Lawthom (r.lawthom@mmu.ac.uk)   2. News from University of Toronto Contact: Tanya Titchkosky, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies (SESE) - Ontario Instititute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto(OISE/UT) (a) Dr. Rosemarie Garland Thomson, Emory University, delivered "Extraordinary Bodies:Transnational Images of Disability" to a very large and engaged crowd. This lecture was part of the New College, University of Toronto, Disability Studies Speakers Series, Canada on 12th October 2007at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education   (b) Mid-Atlantic Popular Culture Association Meetings, Philadelphia, USA, 4th - 6th Nov, 2007.  The conference Disability Studies section included a panel called Disability as Cultural Icon. Like all icons, disability moves us.  This panel asks, "What does disability move us to do, to think, to feel, and most importantly, what does disability move us to desire of ourselves and of others?"  More than mere image, disability understood as icon allows us to interrogate the cultural desire for disability as crucial to the everyday endeavor to portray culture itself as the quintessential collective value.   The following papers were presented:  Tanya  Titchkosky, (OISE/UT) "The Universal Icon of Access: Sign, Symptom, or Nexus of Desire?" Anne  McGuire, (OISE/UT) "Incidental Curiosity: The Construction and Consumption of the Icon of Autism in Popular fiction" Katie  Aubrecht, (York University.) "Mad Genius: Creativity and Destruction in Virginia Woolf". Rod  Michalko,(University of Toronto)  "Blindness as the Icon of Modernity's Sense of Sight."   Contact Details Tanya Titchkosky Department of Sociology and Equity Studies (SESE) Ontario Instititute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto(OISE/UT) 12-236, 252 Bloor St. West. Toronto, ON M5S 1V6 tanyatitchkosky@oise.utoronto.ca   3. News from University of Salford Contact: David Race, Centre for Social Work Research Email: D.G.Race@salford.ac.uk   (a)  Latest book publication by David Race -  "Intellectual Disability - Social Approaches" can be found at the Open University Press website or Amazon.   (b) Social Role Valorization and the new PASSING a place after Valuing People?? - A free weekend gathering to think about new Possibilities and renew old networks   PASS and PASSING workshops and other SRV training dominated the learning disability scene in the 1980s and 1990s, and a number of networks were developed in that time. The influence of normalisation and SRV on Valuing People is very clear, but since the turn of the millennium specific SRV training, and the running of PASSING workshops has reduced in the UK.   A significant international network still exists, most recently evidenced by the fourth international SRV conference held in June in Ottawa. At that conference, an initiative was started by the relatively small number of UK delegates, along with a number of people from other European countries, to see if those involved with the old SRV networks, and others new to the ideas, might come together in the new millennium to examine the ideas and their relevance to valuing people effectively.   Wolf Wolfensberger and Susan Thomas also launched a new edition of PASSING at the Ottawa conference, with some significant changes reflecting developments in the 24 years since the first edition.   This weekend gathering therefore gives those attending a chance to hear about the new PASSING, and the Ottawa conference, to think about the relevance of SRV and PASSING to today’s understanding of devaluation and valuing people, as well as renewing friendships and making new ones   In order for as many people as possible to attend, the event is being sponsored by PASS Cymru, an SRV network. Places are therefore free, though those that feel able are asked to donate £10- £20 to cover the costs of lunches and refreshments. This will be done at the time with no obligation, but we need to know numbers to arrange the refreshments. Please therefore complete the slip overleaf if you wish to attend. We are not offering accommodation, but can assist with information on local hotels etc if you request it.   Outline timetable for the weekend Given the nature of the event, we have aimed to keep it as informal as possible, and also give people time to arrive and get home within the two days. The timetable reflects this. If you wish to discuss the weekend informally, please contact David Race on 0161-295-7010, or d.g.race@salford.ac.uk   Saturday November 10th 10.00 – 12.00 Arrival and informal conversations - renewal of old contacts and introductions to new ones – small informal groups as people arrive 12.00 – 1.00 Lunch 1.00 – 2.00 Feedback on 4th International SRV conference – various contributors 2.00 – 2.45 Services in countries influenced by SRV – David Race 2.45 – 3.15 Coffee and Tea 3.15 – 4.30 The new PASSING – changes and developments – David Race 4.30 – 5.00 Agenda setting for Sunday morning Evening (optional) visit to the curry capital of England in Rusholme!   Sunday November 11th 10.00 – 1.00 Agenda set the previous day, but including at least a) The possibility of establishing a UK (European?) SRV network b) The possibility of events/training linking SRV and/or the new PASSING more directly to Valuing People and ensuing policies c) Other events, e.g. SRV training, PASSING workshops 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch  I wish to attend the gathering on 10th/11th November Name:   Address:       Telephone:   E-mail:   Any special requirements re access, diet, accommodation information etc     Please return completed form to:  Faculty CPD Unit, Faculty of Health & Social Care, University of Salford, Allerton Building, Frederick Road, Salford M6 6PU Tel: 0161 295 7012/7014  Fax:  0161 295 7173 E-mail: cpdunitfhsc@salford.ac.uk  Editor's Note: If anyone wants to attend this event, please email to above email address with the required information since there is little time left to post the form.   4. News from Faculty of education, University of Malta, Department of Youth and Community Studies (a) International Seminar, Captivating the Real in Narrative Research- 6th December 2007                                                            Programme   TIME TIME ALLOCATED ACTIVITY PERSON RESPONSIBLE   4.00pm 15 minutes Arrival 4.15pm 10 minutes Welcome by Chair Dr Andrew Azzopardi Chair Lecturer, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta Introduction and Welcome by Dean Dr Valerie Sollars Dean, FoE, University of Malta 4.25pm 25 minutes Paper presentation Standpoint, strategic essentialism, positionality and narcissism in narrative research Dr Marilyn Clark Head, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta 4.50pm 25 minutes Paper presentation Narrative enquiry – a confessional practice   Dr Simone Galea Lecturer, Department of Education Studies, FoE, University of Malta 5.15pm 20 minutes Introduction and plenary Positioning narrative in our research agenda:  Reading stories of and on inclusion Dr Andrew Azzopardi Lecturer, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta 5.35pm 25 minutes REFRESHMENTS 6.00pm 20 minutes Paper presentation MA Students Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta 6.20pm 5 minutes Introduction by Chair Bio of Professor Dan Goodley, MMU Dr Andrew Azzopardi Chair Lecturer, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta 6.25pm I hr 05 minutes Paper presentation Captivating the real in narrative enquiry Professor Dan Goodley Faculty of Health, Psychology & Social Care, Metropolitan Manchester University, UK 7.30pm 20 minutes Floor Dr Andrew Azzopardi Chair Lecturer, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta 7.50pm 10 minutes Closing by Chair Dr Andrew Azzopardi Chair Lecturer, Department of Y&C Studies, FoE, University of Malta Contact Details: Dr. Andrew Azzopardi Lecturer Room 114, FEMA Building, Department of Youth & Community Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, Msida, MALTA (Europe) - MSD 06. Office Number: (+00356) 23402918 Office E-Mail: andrew.azzopardi@um.edu.mt    5. News from Tsitsi Chataika, Journal Publication   I co-authored a journal article and it was published in August, 2007 and the full reference is below:   Mutepfa, M. M., Mpofu, E & Chataika, T. (2007) Inclusive Education Practices in Zimbabwe: Curriculum, Practice, Family and Teacher Education Issues. Journal of Childhood, International Focus Issue, Vol 83, No.6, 342-346 Available free at: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Inclusive+education+in+Zimbabwe%3a+policy%2c+curriculum%2c+practice%2c...-a0168163364)   6. News from Breakthrough Ltd Information Breakthrough October 2007 Policy e-bulletin: updates on disability and employment   This bulletin is put together by Breakthrough’s Independent Employment Advocacy Centre. We are happy to consider contributions from outside organisations if you have something related to disability, employment and / or independence that you think our readers would be interested in. The deadline for submissions for the next bulletin is Friday 16th November 2007.    Contents: 1. Independent Living Awards Update. 1   2. Disability Equality Action Training - Compliments and Courses. 2 “Hugely rewarding” says Trafford Council’s Chief Executive. 2 Timetabled Disability Equality Action Training Courses. 3   3. The Equality and Human Rights Commission & Resources. 4   4. Disability Equality Duty Reports Now Available. 5   5. What’s on the Web?. 5 Office for Disability Issues Monthly Research Bulletins. 5 Resource on Tackling Stigma. 6 Direct Action Network Website. 6   6. Using Employment Rights. 6   7. Rise in Cases Taken to Employment Tribunal 7   8. Employers Toolkit 7   9. Advertise your Jobs on Breakthrough’s Website. 7   10. Contact Us. 8   1. Independent Living Awards Update To mark our 10th anniversary of successful operation, Breakthrough will hold the Independent Living Awards on 6th December 2007. We are delighted to announce that Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, will be attending this event.   Nominations have now closed and the shortlisted organisations are: ·  Greenwich Association of Disabled People’s Centre for Independent Living - London ·  Ideal for All Ltd. – Smethwick, West Midlands ·  Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People – Young Disabled People’s Forum - Manchester ·  Brent Advocacy Concerns - London ·  GGI Office Furniture – Darwen, Blackburn ·  Transport for London - London · Bury People First – Bury, Greater Manchester ·  Step by Step Living Network – Rochdale, Lancashire · Bromford Housing Group - Wolverhampton · Action for Blind People - Preston   Sponsors of this year's awards include: the former Disability Rights Commission, the Office for Disability Issues, Manchester City Council, NW Strategic Health Authority and Harvest Housing.   These unique awards will promote and applaud organisations and initiatives which have led the way in supporting disabled people to be independent.  The award categories reflect the mainstream issues which can facilitate independence.   Award Categories:  Housing, Public Transport, Information, Peer Support, Employment (Public & Private Sector), Employment (Third Sector), Overall Independent Living Award.   Tickets for the awards ceremony, to be held at the City of Manchester Stadium on 6th December, are now on sale.  Individual tickets are available at a cost of £50 and organisations may wish to sponsor a table seating eight people at a cost of £450. For further information and to make bookings, please contact Gary Timperley: Telephone 0161 273 5412, Textphone: 0161 273 5727 or e-mail: g.timperley@breakthrough-uk.co.uk.      2. Disability Equality Action Training - Compliments and Courses “Hugely rewarding” says Trafford Council’s Chief Executive As avid readers of our Breaking Thru’ newsletter will know, Breakthrough UK’s Training and Consultancy Department was contracted earlier this year to deliver Disability Equality Action Training to senior and middle managers at Trafford Council. The last session of this illustrious contract was held on Wednesday 3rd October 2007 (despite the fact that the contract was only meant to run until July 2007 – such was the popular demand from eager participants at Trafford!), and was attended by the Chief Executive of Trafford Council, David McNulty, who had the following to say about Breakthrough UK’s praiseworthy training provision:   “When we commissioned Breakthrough to do disability training with our staff I was hopeful it would have a strong impact but I wasn't ready for what happened. Members of staff started coming up to me in corridors or emailing me to say it was the most worthwhile and best training we'd ever done (and someone of them could go back 30 years when they said that!). I joined a session myself and found it hugely rewarding. The sheer quality of this training has inspired our staff to think seriously and creatively about how they as individuals and teams can contribute to our Equalities duties.”    Feedback throughout the duration of the training contract has corresponded with Breakthrough UK’s usual high standards, with over 95% of participants rating the content, delivery methods and overall usefulness of the training as either ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. The training contract has also allowed Breakthrough UK as an organisation to form even closer bonds with Trafford Council’s Disability Equality Team, and comments from Anne Tober (Trafford Council’s Disability Equality Manager) can be read in the main article of the current Breaking Thru’ newsletter (issue 30).   If your organisation could benefit from our unique and rewarding training, please contact James Wilson, Training and Consultancy Coordinator on 0161 273 5412 (telephone), 0161 273 5727 (textphone) or by e-mail on j.wilson@breakthrough-uk.co.uk   Timetabled Disability Equality Action Training Courses To maximise the availability and accessibility of our exceptional training provision, we will be running a series of timetabled Disability Equality Action Training courses. We are also pleased to announce an introductory discount for our January 2008 sessions of 10% off the published training fees, this is coupled with a 10% discount for community and voluntary/third sector organisations which can be taken advantage of on all upcoming sessions:   Disability Equality Action Training for Front Line Staff - 16-17 January 2008              15-16 May 2008 25-26 February 2008            18-19 June 2008 11-12 March 2008   Disability Equality Action Training for Managers - 24 January 2008                    07 May 2008 29 February 2008                  04 June 2008 14 March 2008   For more information, or to see how Breakthrough UK can help your organisation to become more inclusive and diverse, contact James Wilson, Training and Consultancy Coordinator on 0161 273 5412 (voice), 0161 273 5727 (textphone) or e-mail j.wilson@breakthrough-uk.co.uk   More on our Training and Consultancy can be found at: http://www.breakthrough-uk.com/training.shtml   3. The Equality and Human Rights Commission & Resources The new equality body was launched on 1st October, replacing three long-serving commissions: the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).   The Equality and Human Rights Commission continues the work that the previous three commissions started, but also includes other aspects of equality such as age, sexual orientation and religion or belief, as well as human rights: www.equalityhumanrights.com   The new Commission has some useful resources, many of which were originally developed by the previous three commissions. For example:   · The former Disability Rights Commission’s Using Your Rights pages explain the process of identifying disability discrimination, putting in a grievance and taking claims to an employment tribunal. ·There are also documents on disability, employment, race, gender and equality available to order for free on the publications page.             The contact details for the Equality and Human Rights Commission vary depending on where you are based and which diversity strand you are enquiring about.   For disability issues: Equality and Human Rights Commission Disability Helpline (England) FREEPOST MID02164 Stratford upon Avon CV37 9BR Tel:             08457 622 633 Textphone: 08457 622 644 Fax:            08457 778 878 E-mail:        englandhelpline2@equalityhumanrights.com   For age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and belief, and human rights issues: Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline (England) Freepost RRLL-GHUX-CTRX Arndale House Arndale Centre Manchester M4 3EQ Tel:             0845 604 6610 Textphone: 0845 604 6620 Fax:            0845 604 6630 E-mail:        englandhelpline@equalityhumanrights.com   Their full contact details, including numbers for people in Scotland and Wales, can be found at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/pages/contactus.aspx      4. Disability Equality Duty Reports Now Available The former Disability Rights Commission recently published their reports on how the public sector has responded to the Disability Equality Duty (DED). They are available in Word, PDF & Rich Text formats and can be downloaded on the Do the Duty website at www.dotheduty.org/putting-the-duty-into-practice.asp   The work on the DED will now be continued by the new Equality and Human Rights Commission.   5. What’s on the Web? Office for Disability Issues Monthly Research Bulletins These outline new, disability related research papers that link in to the Office for Disability Issues key themes of: ·        Young People ·        Human Rights ·        Employment ·        Independent Living ·        Older People www.officefordisability.gov.uk/publications/research/monthly-research.asp (the reports all require Adobe Acrobat reader to open.)   Resource on Tackling Stigma A new handbook has been produced to assist line managers to manage and support staff experiencing mental distress at work. It has been created by Shift, which is a Department of Health initiative to challenge the stigma and prejudice that many people with a mental health diagnosis experience. The resource can be downloaded in Word and PDF from the website below: http://shift.org.uk/~employers.html   Paper copies can be ordered by emailing: employment@shift.org.uk   Direct Action Network Website This is a new and evolving website for the Direct Action Network (DAN). Members are disabled people who “use tactics of non-violent civil disobedience to promote the full participation and equality of disabled people in society”: http://owie.moonwolf.net/   If you cannot access any of the items mentioned in this bulletin, please contact us and we will try to obtain them in an alternative format.    6. Using Employment Rights Would you like to: ·  Find out more about the employment rights of disabled people? ·  Share your tips and advice on getting and keeping a job with other disabled people? · Challenge employment barriers effectively? · Look at ways of putting your views across in work situations?   If you said yes to any of these questions and you are a disabled person living or working in Greater Manchester, why not come along to one of Breakthrough UK’s free Employment Self Advocacy Skills Workshops? Sessions are arranged regularly in venues across Greater Manchester. We can also come and deliver a tailored session to disabled people at your organisation. All for free.   For more details, contact Elaine Astley at Breakthrough’s Independent Employment Advocacy Centre on tel: 0161 273 5412 or e-mail: advocacy@breakthrough-uk.co.uk   Further information can be found online at: www.breakthrough-uk.com/selfadvocacy.shtml   7. Rise in Cases Taken to Employment Tribunal Recent reports indicate that there has been a 15% rise in the quantity of cases going to Employment tribunals in Britain in 2006/2007. Of the 132,577 cases brought there were: ·        5,533 disability discrimination claims * 972 age discrimination claims * 44,013 equal pay claims * 28,153 sex discrimination claims (many of these were also equal pay claims) * 3,780 race discrimination claims * 44,491 unfair dismissal claims   According to Unite the Union, a big factor in the rise in cases was a 155% increase in equal pay claims, “the majority of which have been brought against Local Authorities and the NHS”.    8. Employers Toolkit Many thanks to all those who have contributed their ideas on what we should include in our forthcoming Employers Toolkit. It’s not too late to get involved! If you have half an hour to spare we would be pleased to talk with you about what you think employers need to know and access when recruiting and retaining disabled people. Please get in touch if you would like to take part.   9. Advertise your Jobs on Breakthrough’s Website You can now advertise short job adverts on the Job Vacancies Page of our website. This is free of charge for voluntary and community groups. Please e-mail Elaine Astley for more details, call her on 0161 273 5412 (voice), 0161 273 5727 (textphone) or 0161 274 4053 (fax). We reserve the right not to publish adverts. 10. Contact Us For more information on anything in this bulletin, or to submit content for future editions, please contact:   Elaine Astley or Mark Watts   Telephone:          0161 273 5412 Fax:                      0161 274 4053 Minicom:              0161 273 5727 E-mail:                 advocacy@breakthrough-uk.co.uk   Independent Employment Advocacy Centre Breakthrough UK Ltd. BEVC, Aked Close, Ardwick Manchester M12 4AN   www.breakthrough-uk.com/gmeap.shtml   This bulletin is produced by the Independent Employment Advocacy Centre, which is supported financially by the Big Lottery Fund. The deadline for submissions for the next bulletin is Friday 16th November 2007. If you would prefer this bulletin in plain text or an alternative format such as easy read, large print, Braille or audio, please contact Elaine Astley or Mark Watts on 0161 273 5412, answerphone minicom 0161 273 5727, or e-mail: advocacy@breakthrough-uk.co.uk      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   NB: A copy of this Newsletter is available at: http://www.breakthrough-uk.com/DRN.shtml ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ END OF NEWSLETTER For any further contributions and information contact:   Tsitsi Chataika (Editor) Email: t.chataika@yahoo.co.uk   Tel/Fax: +44113 293 8749 or +4479 03859902 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++