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The Forum held its AGM on 20th September 2007, from 6-8pm, in the Council House.
The business of the AGM–where it reported on its work during April 2006-March 2007, presented its annual report, and agreed an amendment to its constitution–was followed by a presentation from the Disability Rights Project (SW).
Attended by Cllr Peter Hammond (deputy leader of the Council and its Equalities Champion) and Gillian Douglas (Head of Equalities & Community Cohesion), the meeting was a little smaller than expected, perhaps due to the forecast of rain and the advent of autumn weather proper. But, for those who took advantage of a bit of unexpected sunshine to get there, it was well worth it. The food was great and those attending were engrossed in the presentation (by Angela Truell), asked loads of questions and shared their experiences.
Unfortunately, both our Co-Chairs were unwell–one at accident and emergency and the other ordered to stay in bed–so the meeting was chaired by the Forum Co-Vice Chairs, Daphne Branchflower and Mark Williams.
Having welcomed the Forum’s four new Advisors, and reported on the Forum’s work, the meeting then considered a proposed amendment to the constitution.
The most significant part of the amendment was the proposal that, in future, the Forum Officers (Co-Chairs etc) be elected annually.
The amendment had the unanimous support of the meeting but, our constitution says 20% of our membership needed to be there for the amendment to be passed, and not that many were there. So, the amendment will now go out to our members for a postal vote.
After a welcome coffee break, and a second chance to eat some more food, Angela Truell began her presentation. The Disability Rights Project is funded by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) until March 2008. Angela Truell is the project’s worker in the South West and is based at the Avon and Bristol Law Centre on Stokes Croft.
The presentation covered what Disabled people’s rights are, how the project was set up and works, and the work it has done supporting Disabled people across the South West in making providers of goods and services comply with those rights. People were hugely impressed by how much case work, across the whole of the region, one worker had achieved.
The action she has supported people in taking has ranged from a formal letter to point out that a company is breaking the law and what their legal responsibilities are, right through to taking an organisation that is determined to do nothing to court.
The Forum has been consulted on the project since it was first set up and is planning some joint working with it, as well being a member of the Project’s Steering Group.
If you missed the AGM and would like to hear more about your rights, then come to the joint Disability Equality Forum / Disability Rights Project open meeting at:
Rose Green Centre, Gordon Road, Whitehall
21st November 2007, from 10.30 - 2pm
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