Officers Report for AGM

AGM Report 22 January 2010

Disabilities Officer- Caroline Bossom

Communication and Members issues

During the past year I have supported a number of members, I have learned from these experience's and have brought issues from theses cases to the notice of the Branch committee, I have attended both the national and disability members conference both gave me a wealth of information which has enable me to disseminate to branch officers, and members, I have submitted reports to all the branch committee meetings and been present at all of them.

Activities on behalf of the Branch

National Disability Forum

I am active on the National Disability forum for which the membership is increasing this encourages that the forums are reaching members that they feel supported in disclosing a disability in the workplace. The Forum is encouraging regions to develop forums, and will support anyone who is willing to set one up. I attended the Barnardo's national staff conference on behalf of the forum we had some interest, and it was a good source of information for CSM and AD's on the difficulties workers who are disable encounter, and what support is available. The Forum intends to hold a national conference in July 2010. The discussions and actions from this forum are taken to the Corporate Equality board.

Regional Disability Forum

I am part of this forum, and I would encourage members to attend, we hope to set up a learning sect day, were staff can come and share their knowledge on the disability they encounter ie dyslexia, any thought on what the event should involved would be welcomed.

London Region Disability Committee

I am a member of this committee which consists of a number of branches from across Unison, this gives me the ability to understand how other branches support their members and enables there to be communication from our branch to the region.

Training

I attended 3 day 'Managing Change' training in April; this was facilitated by our Regional Officer - Harry Lister. I have also attended the Disability Champions course organized by the TUC the course focus on many aspects of disability in the workplace, as well as The Disability Discrimination Act.

I hope to continue my role as Disability officer for the branch and look forward to a year were we can increase understanding in the workplace to disablement and develop opportunities for our members.