Rehabilitation Specialists - A profession to be proud of.
Welcome to the area of the site that discusses professional issues affecting Rehabilitation Specialists today. Those of you who have been with us from the start will know that the principal subjects - The formation of a professional body, the training of Rehabilitation Workers (RW) and what is perceived as the 'erosion' of the traditional RW role - have been widely discussed. However. don't let this put you off commenting or opening up new subjects.
| Page last updated: Tuesday 20 April, 2010 10:06 AM |
Here you will find articles written by other professionals and sent to us - we add our thoughts and comments but prefer you to add yours. For those looking for 'instant' feedback there's the discussion board - where you can add your thoughts quickly. If any of the subjects on this page rattle your cage why not promote further thought by adding the subject to the board.
The headlines section has some interesting news - both new and old - click on 'Professional Body' in the section to read the AER, SCA & Unison presentations to the London Rehab Workers Forum regarding this subject.
Role of RW in Education...
I am training to be a rehabilitation officer at present. I have to do a presentation next month and need to relate the role of an officer to a child's needs at age 11-14. In my area teachers for visually impaired are involved then mobility is dealt with separately. Could you give me advice on a rehab worker's role in mainstream education and how they handle timetable constraints please. It would be great if I could get any input on this.
If you would like to reply - send your response by e-mail to info@rehabworker.co.uk
and it will be published on the website.
Re: Registration across the nation, qualification…
I do not necessarily believe the older qualifications taken in the 90s made for better Rehab Officers. I just believe some of the current courses just do not teach as much, or give them as good a skills base, but put more emphasis on the placement staff to train in their Sensory Team...click to read
Registration across the nation, qualification…
I was looking for a friend of mine (I was really) when I came across that Orthoptists have to register with the Health Professional Council (HPC) in having to adhere to certain guidelines otherwise the person cannot trade under that profession and can be prosecuted, if given the guidelines why don’t our profession be regulated as a number of us wish to be, just like the Social Workers. This shall give us all a little more clout, especially in today’s climate when services and budgets are being cut to save the authority some cash.
Also I hate this, as I feel we are all achieving the same goals, but I think it needs to be mentioned, to indicate the different levels of a Rehabilitation Worker/Officer, whether Certificate, Diploma or Degree trained ROVI and/or having additional qualifications in Low Vision.
Thank you - another e-mail that should get you all going. Differentiating between qualifications…now there’s a box that belongs to Pandora! Over to you…
Pick & Mix…
Have you looked in the RNIB catalogue recently? They are offering a choice of colours when purchasing a symbol, guide or long cane in pink and yellow.
When I rang them they said that they got occasional special requests from mobility officers teaching children. When I pointed out that this was not a reason to offer multicoloured canes to everyone they agreed that, if there were complaints from professionals, they may consider removing this offer in their next catalogue.
As we know, it is difficult enough for the general public to get their head around the meaning of a white cane, never mind a red and white one. What hope to we have for understanding symbols if there are lots of different colours around?
I do think it important people have a choice but in this instance I think confusion will reign. If you feel that we should concentrate on getting the white cane and red and white cane recognised without distraction then I suggest you contact the RNIB with your views.
Thank you for this – it raises many questions and we look forward to the responses. Firstly, have the RNIB ever effectively educated the general public about the White Cane or indeed the Red and White cane? Secondly, the white cane was only introduced because it was easily seen – we now have better reflective materials that can be produced in different colours so this would seem a ‘natural progression’. Incidentally, in Canada a black cane can be used. Should the white cane be the symbol of blindness? Should the cane be a symbol of blindness? Do coloured canes immediately convey that the user has a sight problem? Discuss…
Previous experience required…
We are looking at developing a policy and procedure to provide direct payments for equipment to Visually Impaired people, and would be really grateful for any experiences or pearls of wisdom from Rehab workers around the country who have already been through this process.
We are finding it hard to develop a procedure that fits in with our principles around a non prescriptive approach to which piece of equipment a client has, but which still meets our duty of care to ensure both that needs are met safely and effectively with some element of client choice remaining.
If it were possible for us to get some feedback via Rehabworker.co.uk with regard to the above that would be great.
Thank you for your article – let’s see how other Authorities are operating.
Can clients really make an informed choice without input? Shouldn't the Rehabilitation Specialist be educating the client to enable them to make the choice? In our opinion, Direct Payments only work with adequate support.
Re: ‘T’ Bar
I worked with a lady with a similar difficulty in holding the cane. She continued to use the standard cane handle but with a length foam tube around the handle, and tied on with elastic bands. It was something from a DIY shop which was made to insulate pipes, only about 4" diameter so fitted the cane well.
Re:Enquiry of the month – ‘T’ bar
We have had similar difficulties with people who are unable to use a standard cane. We have worked with Remap who come up with solutions for disabled people who cannot manage standard equipment.
You work closely with the Remap engineer, the service user and the Rehab worker to ensure needs and safety are met. The Long Cane we had adapted had a hinged handle that could be used in horizontal position but 'pop-up' when required.
Look at www.remap.org.uk
Responses to Mr Carey's contribution to the RW profession have been flooding in - unfortunately, not all of them are printable! Please keep checking on a day to day basis to get the latest. E-mail your comments to info@rehabworker.co.uk
A few questions...
Having Just read the article by Kevin Carey I am wondering if he has read his own website especially about the numbers of visually impaired people around. I think he feels the world is made up of wonder visually impaired people instead of the many older people who actually have sensory loss.
If this is going to be the way the RNIB works in the future then I would suggest to it that it really has lost its way and needs a major rethink of where it is going.
Carey needs to join the real world, perhaps as does the profession of RW. Yes changes do need to be made and perhaps rehab workers need to take on a much broader role with improved training but I would strongly suggest to Mr. Carey that he goes out to the services users and find out what impact RW's have had on their lives, often giving back control and independence that many other services have taken away. Yes lets develop a kite mark for services, but I must ask Mr. Carey how many of the 8 visually impaired people out of the thirty in total living in the newly opened extra care housing scheme he thinks are using dating agencies?
They keep coming…
I would like to refer in particular to one of Mr Careys paragraphs - my comments included:
Life is too complicated for one rehab worker to tackle all of an individual’s problems. Probably TRUE to some extent - but who else is going to try?
Rehab workers are still teaching people how to cook and climb stairs. A bit glib dont you think!!
Far more important are social skills, understanding individuals needs and helping them handle change as they lose their sight. Absolutely - and that’s exactly what we do!!
Rehab doesn’t deliver what makes the most difference to people’s lives, the ability to be in control. YES IT DOES!!!
A lengthy response…
I am somewhat outraged by the comments made by Mr Carey in his New Beacon article. It appears that he is somewhat out of touch with reality or has had little or no experience of good rehabilitation services. It certainly does not reflect the comments that are fed back to me about my own work, practice and colleagues within the field. Read the article in full click here
Power mad…?
Just to say I'm another RW who feels Mr. Carey is talking rubbish!
The question of course, is why is he being so critical of RW's?
Well, if you look at things cynically, what easier way is there to make yourself look good than by making a rival, or colleague look bad. Even better, completely eliminate any competitors and you'll have the market cornered!
I suspect that Mr Carey, amongst others, is more interested in serving his own needs than those of people with a visual impairment. After all, if RW's as a group can be undermined and discredited, then the RNIB will be in a better position to try and take over the role we fill and by so doing expand their power base!
A cynical view maybe…beyond possibility…? Perhaps not
What can you say…?
So Mr Carey wants us to use more technology and rely on it to give people the 'ability to be in control'
What about when Technology goes wrong. I have tried to access the web site for 'humanITy' to gain an insight into the company and unfortunately I have been unable to do this due to an error with the site. Hmmm I feel very in control!
This is precisely what happens on a day to day basis – things don’t always work how we want them to.
Another eloquent response…
After reading your email I am wondering what planet Mr Carey lives on. He is talking absolute nonsense.
I work in a Sensory Centre dealing everyday with people who have visual and hearing impairments, and to say that Rehab Workers are no longer required is total rubbish!!
For the man to say that the Rehabilitation service has been a failure since World War 2 is an insult!! I suggest that he ask all the men and women who served in the fighting forces and who returned home with horrendous injuries. I am absolutely certain that they would have nothing but praise for the people in the Rehabilitation service who helped them.
The man should get off his autocratic butt and try visiting a Centre such as the Forth Valley Sensory Centre and actually speak to the Visually Impaired service users, who benefit greatly from the Rehabilitation Officers. They help give back the service users lost confidence and independence i.e. with mobility, use of transport, domestic chores, and cooking for themselves and their families; in other words “the ability to be in control” to name but a few. How dare the man belittle this service, especially when it is blatantly obvious that he knows very little about the impact it has on people’s lives.
Well! What can you say? Feel like adding your views? Maybe you agree somewhat with Mr Carey? info@rehabworker.co.uk
Fallout from Carey…?
I have been accepted at Birmingham Univ on the Rehab. Worker course for this year... HOWEVER I do have reservations as this will be a career change for me and I will have to do the course whilst still working full time in Manchester, and I will have to fund the course myself. My main concern is - is it worth my doing this course as will there be a good chance of a career at the end of it ..... after reading
the latest article on your website from Kevin Carey - I now have my doubts. I do not want to commit financially as well as struggle for 2 years balancing a full time job with study if the role of the Rehab. Worker is no longer a viable one and perhaps I should do a more general Social worker type course. Your help in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.
Firstly, this site promotes the work of the RW and we believe that the more people who enter the profession the better it will be for people with a sight loss. Secondly. there are challenges to the profession and always have been, Mr Carey’s remarks are not helpful and result from an ignorance of the RW role. A ‘guarantee’ of work once qualified is obviously impossible – as it is in any field - however, there are many Local Authorities, Charities and voluntary agencies who believe in the rehabilitative model even if the RNIB does not. Why not talk to these organisations and any RW’s in your area and form your opinion from what they are saying.
One very angry RW…
Get rid of Kevin Carey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! While your at it get rid of The RNIB!!!!!! They're both a waste of time,space and money!!! We all know what RNIB stand's for Really Not Interested In Blind people!!! If you have Kevin's number I'll give him a call
We don’t have his personal or direct line but if you call the RNIB in Judd Street we’re sure they’ll put you through.
Personal Budget…
One way Personalised Budgets could work re M & O could be that where an authority has a huge waiting list for Rehab & M & O the Service user could be given the money to purchase it from another agency/freelance worker who could provide it sooner.
Has your authority gone down this route – let us know info@rehabworker.co.uk
Get your heads together…
I feel that we as a profession should accept that Personalised Budgets are going to happen so we have to think of ways to make them work for our service users , obviously not by giving people mobile phones and transport accounts (although in some cases for older physically frail people a transport account might be a good thing) but I do feel we should be putting our thinking caps on now to use it to good advantage. One thing that comes to mind is that many people find it so difficult to read mail and are often given "readers" to do this for them why not get ourselves ready to prepare good cases for the service users to be provided with funds for a computer and appropriate software to enable them to read it for themselves rather than having another person reading their private stuff I'm sure there could be many creative ideas to make this work to visually impaired peoples advantage, after all rehab isn't only about mobility and orientation. Why not start now and pool our ideas so that when in comes into force we will be prepared
There is no doubt we’ll have to work with ‘Private Budgets’ and thinking about them now will help. We believe the questions about how these will work with some aspects of Rehab – particularly O&M – remain unanswered. Let us know your thoughts info@rehabworker.co.uk
Open invitation…
It's been fascinating to watch the responses from Rehab Workers and others on the website. This article has obviously stirred up a lot of emotion on the subject, which can only be a good thing. So how about some kind of response from Jim....I mean Kevin Carey? His comments in NB were quite obviously mis-informed, not to mention misguided.... and as he obviously has got far too much time on his hands, I extend an open invitation for him to spend a day with me, doing what I do best - which is working hard to enable visually impaired people to retain true independence in the community.
You can’t get fairer than this – I wonder if Mr Carey has the bottle?
Mr Carey again…
I'm sure you have been inundated with e mails recently regarding the latest new beacon. Therefore I will understand if you do not choose to include my thoughts as set out below in their entirety but please do include my last two points! Thank you for all the hard work that goes into this site. I find it useful and interesting.
I agree with many of the sentiments on this site. I wish to have my say too regarding the article ' Are rehab workers really necessary'.
Firstly I think he thinks he's Jim Carey not Kevin Carey!!
He has shown the rehab profession little respect. He has stereotyped Rehab workers as being carers and having the wrong approach. He should remember not all rehab workers have this approach.
I agree it has it's faults and there is always a need for change but there will always be a need for the most basic rehab. How will an individual who is Blind with little family support manage a 'personal budget'? Will they want to? He's taking choice away which is a basic human right.
How can he state that an individuals 'need to be in control' is stronger than their need to deal with daily living tasks such as 'cooking'? An individual should always have access to these basic skills and isn't this the basis for 'being in control'?
I wonder if new beacon have decided to start this 'talking point' in reaction to their declining reader figures?
Lastly, Its not all bad, maybe this article will do the profession some good in the long term. It's got us talking about the profession.
Cheers
You’re not wrong! It’s just a shame that we only talk in ‘unity’ when someone attacks – perhaps we’re just like one big family?
Very angry…
I am appalled to read the article that I have just read on the rehab worker
web site. How could someone in such a position be aloud to get away with
this outburst. Mr Carey obviously knows little about visual impairment or
the role of the RW.
As a qualified RW and one that has recently received services from my local
social services due to relocation, I am extremely agree about what I have
just read. Without the help of an RW, I would have not learnt my way around
the new area that I have just relocated to and yes I have a mobile phone and
a taxi account, but I have never hear of a taxi account bringing a person
around a shopping centre, around other local amenities such as a park. Is
he suggesting we scrap guide dogs, and the long cane and any other mobility
aid for visually impaired people. I believe a sacking is called for hear,
as had this been made in the same context as someone working for a race
charity etc, they would certainly be asked to tender their resignation and I
believe all people involved in such an organisation would want it. What
were RNIB thinking about, by allowing such an article to be produce in NB,
which is meant to be a highly respectable journal for those working in
visual impairment and other professionals or lay people who want to find out
more about issues of visual impairment.
In my 6 years of working in rehab it has been really hard to get Senior
Management on side regarding the difficulties visual impaired people face
and the need for specialist services in this area, this man has just put
that back 100 years. So I hope as a result that management will still
listen to the real professionals of sensory impairment which are the service
users and the highly skilled workers.
Mr Carey has really rattled the cage – keep your thoughts coming info@rehabworker.co.uk
Can’t disagree…
Well words fail me really. Individual budgets so we can get what we need, my experience is that what many VIP s feel they need is the ability to perform tasks for themselves which gives them the self respect of being 'able'. Not the money for a taxi to the next street or a PA to come and make their tea for them. Where's the control in that? And as for giving kids mobile phones and a transport budget, what are we going to get out of that, unhealthy kids who can phone friends who may not want to play with them if they haven't the confidence, balance or spatial awareness to be able to play on equal terms. If kids never walk along streets, how will they find out about trees, traffic, dogs, and all the other interesting things in the world that they meet there? How will they get the confidence to be out there?
I have been in this profession a very long time and one thing that has always struck me as significant is that over 20 years or so a VIP may have several workers pass through their lives but who is the only one whose name they can remember, almost without exception it is the Rehab Worker. Why? Because they made a difference that was tangible to the person.
Again, many important points raised.
Not just about Mr Carey…
I was alarmed to read this article as I feel there are many implications I also feel that there should be some good information for ROs re Personalised Budgets I know it wont be implemented for some time yet but I do feel that it is important that we are prepared, very often it would not be a RO who would do an assessment for this kind of service rather a SW so it is vital that we can contribute to assessments in an informed way looking at it from a specialist point of view. I asked if the ROS in our area could meet together to discuss this further and I would be very grateful if anyone could let me have any information and /or advice
Its going to happen isn’t it? Any of you ‘experts’ like to pass on your experience? E-mail us info@rehabworker.co.uk
Straight from the horses…
Hi. Where on earth is this man coming from? I would like him to come into any if the schools I go into and see what the children need. How dose he think that a 15 year old child can mix with and go with them shopping etc. And how would he suggest that I tackle the problem of a 4 1/2 year old who needs to get around a shopping centre with his mother and a sibling in a pushchair. Should he be given a mobile phone to keep in contact with his mother? This man has less idea of our job and solutions than a horse in a field.
Please can we get a petition sent to him to enlighten him the same way we did when the RNIB said that Braille was not needed?
Yours exasperated
Hmmm..a petition…now that’s a good idea.
Someone likes us…
Like your style, good work!
It’s not just RW’s…
Many of us wonder what RNIB is up to these days and its hard to
comment/criticise without appearing out of date, not in touch etc.
But actually he is right and we are in a generation of technology, mobile
phones, networked computers, and even Braille seems slow, costly and
yesterday's stuff. And, when everything has to be measured as outputs or
outcomes, its not easy pricing the warm person-to-person encouragement based
on experience, that comes out of a RW home session or the huge transferred
learning and confidence which emerges from Braille lessons.
Talking is cheap and it would be wiser if Mr Carey engaged brain before
mouth, being in such a responsible position. After all, RNIB has moved out
of many direct service deliveries, hotels, colleges etc and this may well
be the only way it can financially survive. But the direct services are
still required at the coal face by blind individuals, so, please Mr Carey,
do speak out about RNIB services but, please, not about direct services
delivered to needy individuals. Its not your bag and you could be doing
great harm.
I am not even a RW. Just a blind person going about the technology thing in
a totally different way. Our company, Screenreader.net, delivers free
talking software for free so that blind people really can enjoy the real
benefits of the computer, access to information, journey planning, books
galore etc. So I share his understanding of the importance of technology.
Where we part, though, is that his organisation sells the expensive stuff
and we give it away. The RNIB business model requires Government (or
someone) to keep paying out. Obviously, there might not be enough money for
all that and RW's too. Our way recognises the importance of technology but
certainly does not hit at RW budgets. Just the opposite, we want RW's to
partner with us to guide ordinary blind people through the technology maze
as just part of the holistic support and encouragement they deliver.
We’ll forgive you for the planting of your company ad in what is otherwise another interesting viewpoint on the way this charity works.
Mr Carey, Read this…
Below is a copy of the email that I fired off to NB on the day I read the Talking Point article. Let's hope some of the responses to this highly contentious articles are from service users and our managers. We all know how important our role is, even if Kevin Carey doesn't - but our voices most likely won't be heard unless those that benefit most from our skills speak out too - click here to read .
This is typical of what many of us do day in, day out. The passion for the work of the RW is clear to see in this response.
A cynic or not…?
I’ve just read the article in NB – while I don’t condone what Mr Carey has said (how could I) do you think he’s just entered into the ‘Talking Point’ and adopted a controversial stance? In the same article there are comments by Simon Labett, Andrew Dodgson and Tom Muldowney that put a different view – do you think they were all in the same room at the same time?
We hope you’re not suggesting there was some form of ‘conspiracy’ about this - hmmm...
Angry and frustrated…
I had to read the article in NB twice – I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I’d like to have the whole transcript to see exactly what was said but it appears Mr Carey doesn’t have a clue. Has he ever received any rehabilitation or is he yet another member of the RNIB who only sees visual impairment from their own perspective? I think this could damage the RNIB – then again, maybe it’s just the arrogance we’ve come to expect from this organisation.
Powerful stuff! It would be interesting to see what Lesley-Ann Alexander has to say
It didn’t take long…
I was really quite shocked to read in the October issue of NB that Kevin Carey, the Vice Chair of the RNIB, was arguing against the need for rehab / mobility workers. He said;
"We need to give kids mobile phones (purchased from the RNIB no doubt) and transport accounts. Then we need to cut down the number of people teaching mobility and orientation because we can't do both".
I would be interested to hear how he'd suggest these "kids" access the transport they've been given an account for with no mobility training. Or would he suggest that they sit at home, call a cab with their new mobile, and pay for that out of their account? Is this what he calls allowing someone to "be in control"? Now can someone explain to me how that is encouraging any sort of independence?
The role of the rehab officer is unclear, mainly because they really have no voice, and many other professionals and managers have no idea what we do. I do feel that there are changes that could be made to the role, and that things are far from perfect. However, for the vice chair of the RNIB to call for reduced numbers of rehab workers is at best irresponsible, and at worst cynical! I feel the RNIB should be working with rehab workers in defining their role and improving services, not undermining them like this.
This is a very heartfelt response to the article – we’re sure many of you will echo the sentiment of this contribution. That said, please send us your opinion info@rehabworker.co.uk
An UltraCane Ambassador…
I agreed to be one of the ambassadors for UltraCane as I was asked to teach a child to use one a few years ago. I found it to be very useful, especially for overhead awareness. The UltraCane wasn't for everyone as is the case with most products, but the idea of using sonar is helpful as long as people are given adequate training.
Unfortunately Sound Foresight did not actually inform me that they were experiencing problems and I haven't had any contact with anyone from the company despite trying to speak to them.
I heard rumours about the business and checked this out with companies house to discover this was fact. I am aware that Debi Platt is offering some support to current UltraCane users by means of exchange for the K-Sonar and possible repair of current canes.
It is a shame when organisations are not able to survive in the current climate and hope that anyone associated with the product has not lost out too much as there are always legal restrictions when this sort of thing happens.
Thank you for this – anyone else out there who would like to add their thoughts and/or experiences?
Request for help....
A senior lecturer in the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Glasgow is currently researching the travel experiences
of blind and visually impaired people. The aims of the research include developing a
better understanding of the travel process of blind and visually
impaired people - click here
UltraCane Continued....
Further to the previous posting, we received an e-mail from D D Aware - a company who were an 'on-seller' of the UltraCane and are now working with the liquidators - to read the e-mail in full click here.
UltraCane…
As we reported last month, Sound Foresight are a company in liquidation.
You may well have received an e-mail from other sources confirming this and we have attached a copy of an e-mail from Guidedogs offering advice to customers – to read click here.
Useful addition…
In north yorkshire your figures are not quite accurate. they are as follows :
8 qualified workers for statutory with 3 of those being part time so 6.2 full time equivalent posts. this does not include York itself which has 1 post or selby which is 0.8 of a full time post but filled by wilberforce trust.
hope that helps
Thank you - this information does help. It’s always good to know that people read the site, especially as things change. We rely on people like this to help keep numbers and other information up to date. If it's not right in your area please let us know.
A heartfelt message…
There is an air of negativity around the profession just now with concerns about the future of the role and the impact of all these surveys on our likely future.
We are in danger of losing track of the people we seek to assist and rehabilitate and this is certainly the case with some of the people who develop whole careers attending meetings and compiling 'surveys' on the needs of visually impaired people without actually doing anything concrete to improve matters…to read this article in it’s entirety click here.This is a considered response to matters raised over the last few months. We tend to agree with most of that said but would like your responses too.
A request for assistance…
We have received a request from Dr Samuel R Nyman, Research Associate, Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Reading. He is currently investigating the emotional support needs of people with sight loss. This is a project commissioned and funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust. Part of the project entails a brief survey of the current provision of formal counselling to people in the UK with sight loss – to read the article click here
Please respond directly to Dr Samuel – his contact telephone numbers and e-mail can be found in the article.
This may be of interest...
I run a project called Access London Theatre at the Society of London Theatre. This project is all about attracting people with sensory disabilities to London theatre. We have a free brochure available - in print, large print, tape and Braille version as well as downloadable from www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/access and it would be good to let people know about it.
Obviously I know that you are national but people may not be aware that there many theatres throughout the UK also provide audio-described (as well as signed and captioned performances) as well.
Please visit the website for brochures, lists of participating theatres and further information.
Replies to the Voting page! Read replies sent in by one Rehabilitation Worker who took the time to read our voting polls click here – if you haven’t seen the poll results visit the voting page
Moving to digital audio…
Dear colleague,
Switching to digital audio offers many benefits for reading but to some
people it can seem daunting.
The Reading through Audio initiative aims to help you to help your clients
choose and use the digital audio services which best meet their needs. This
could be helping them to make full use of an existing digital player or
advising them on a new player.
We hope you have seen the Reading though Audio leaflet, which has been
distributed to local societies for the blind and to social services
departments. The leaflet is a short guide to the main national audio
services for people with sight problems or other disabilities, a guide to
how to listen, and a quick reference chart. We hope you will find it useful.
We have set up a website, www.readingthroughaudio.org.uk which will gradually include more information and links to other sites.
We think this will be useful to many of you out there
Strategy Report - Final!
The UK Vision Strategy is a VISION 2020 UK initiative, led by RNIB working with partners from all areas of the sector, to develop a unified plan for action on all issues relating to eye health and sight loss, across the four countries of the UK - click here to download
It never rains…or does it?
Hello, I recently have been asked by a service user if there is any gadget that can alert him to when it is raining (with regard to drying washing). He has no sight at all. I understand that there used to be a rain alert on the market, but after doing an internet search I get the impression that they are no longer available.
Do you or any of your web-site users know if there is anything still on the market of use? (He lives in a very rainy part of the world!)
This is always a good one! You can get all sorts of rain alerts on the web, whether (or should that be weather?) any of these are suitable we cannot say. There is one piece of software available that sends you an alert up to 60 minutes before rain is anticipated in your area, this could then be accessed by the user's mobile screenreader. Any of you have any good ideas? – send them to us
Money, money, money…
Hi, I was just wondering if you had any information about the various pay scales which RO’s receive throughout the UK?
Thanks,
An interesting request. By ‘Pay Scales’ we presume you mean within Social Services. At the present time the rates of pay throughout the UK are not standardised, all authorities are different and view services to people with a visual impairment with varying degrees of priority. It also depends if you are in London – where house prices make it difficult to recruit – or in suburban or rural areas. Rates vary but we’ve recently seen advertisements for vacancies at £21,000 – £25,000 and £27,000 – £32,000. The role the employee is expected to undertake also affects the salary grade they offer, traditionally, more ‘social care’ work means more money for the post. The higher ends of the scale may only be achieved if you are a qualified Social Worker in addition to a Rehabilitation Worker. In contrast, we are also aware of ‘job re-evaluation’ where RW’s are having their salaries ‘frozen’ or moved to a lower scale – this affects salaries in adjacent authorities. do you have anything to add? Contact us info@rehabworker.co.uk
Glad we can help…
The letter below - click here to view - (to various statutory and voluntary organisations in the UK) explains the work that we have been commissioned to undertake. It will be dear to the hearts of many of the people who visit your website and I wondered if there were any chance of it being posted or circulated?
But in our search for good practice we would be delighted to learn of any initiatives that your contacts are aware of. The outcomes of our work will be published and any help you provide will, of course, be acknowledged.
Many thanks for your help.
Dr Malcolm J. Fisk
Managing Director
Insight Social Research Ltd.
PO Box 14
Ferndale
CF43 9AJ
Tel: +44 1443 733733
Website: www.researchatinsight.org
Registered Number 3756867 England and Wales
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I just want you and your readers to know about Screenreader.net CIC and our website www.screenreader.net. We deliver a great talking screenreader free to all blind and partially-sighted would-be computer users. Lots of features and very stable. No tricks. We just know that many or most can't afford the expensive screenreaders however good they might be.
If any of you have used this product, or know someone who has, why not write a review and send it to us? info@rehabworker.co.uk
Response to 'Another Consultation'…(not read it yet? - click here)
Like most other initiatives this has its good points- one of them being the range of people from different organisations who have given a lot of time and energy to produce the initial draft. If everyone in this field actually worked together and developed cohesive plans some might work! What usually happens however is that plans are made but not followed through or given any priority by those who wield any power ( or have any influence on finance).
In my experience - and I am a bit disillusioned being of the older generation - the plans are made and then individual organisations go and do their own thing ignoring the cooperation needed to implement the plans. A good example is Rehab Worker Training - the big Charities talked together - at the so called Training Board - and then went ahead with their own plans. The result being the lack of training provision and now of qualified workers. If only they had made a cohesive effort and fought to mainstream the profession. They did a profound disservice to all visually impaired people as well as the workers involved. So lets hope this time they really pull together.
The other worry is bringing prevention and treatment on line with those who have lost vision. In some ways this has to be good as the people involved have more power to influence decision making than those of us working with visually impaired people. And, don't misunderstand me I think many people working in the area of treatment and prevention of sight loss do care about those who do lose vision but the emphasis is on these areas rather than visual impairment.
I also know that those people who have little or no useful vision feel very excluded by all the talk of 'Low Vision' services.
My hope is that the people involved with this will really work together to delver a cohesive policy that will benefit all groups. That it will not be just a talking shop and that all agencies involved will pull together and not go off with there own little bits here and there - that can only weaken the argument.
No one organisation can change everything and if they can all speak with one voice so much the better. They have put the strategy out for consultation and we have to use the opportunities to try to influence the decision making. On our own we (Rehab workers) have little influence in the grand scheme of things so we have to keep plugging away when the opportunities arise. Yes I did attend a consultation; I did add my ideas for what they're worth and we will have to wait and see if anything improves.
Like your site, sorry I don't respond more often. Did like the little car parking game from last time - not that relevant but it gave us a laugh in the office
This response raises many points and in our opinion accurately highlights the necessity to unite the decision makers. It is true, much of this has been done before but for whatever reason, the agencies have not done anything about it. What are your thoughts about this? E-mail info@rehabworker.co.uk
Getting on with it…
I don’t want to appear negative but are ROVI’s insecure? I ask this because whenever I meet them at conferences or workshops they are always quick to tell me they are working with ‘complex’ service users. Further conversation tends to reveal that these service users have learning difficulties/asylum problems/mental health issues or some other difficulty going on in their lives. Isn’t being blind or having low vision enough? It seems working with older people who have macular degeneration or cataract is not enough for these people – do they get some sort of satisfaction from playing this ‘disability poker’? Does it give them more self-esteem? “My service users have more issues than yours therefore I’m better than you”. It may be corny but I entered this work to try and make a difference, can’t we be confident in the knowledge that what we do with the majority of our service users is important to them rather than look for some personal or professional kudos?
This is an interesting article and it raises many questions. If there are Rehabilitation Specialists out there who need their clients to have additional disabilities in order to ‘sex up’ the work they do, how well are they promoting the rehabilitation profession? If professionals are not confident that what they teach is useful, then why would their managers, colleagues or even clients show any interest? What are your views? Have you had similar experiences? info@rehabworker.co.uk
Welcome…
When I googled "rehab workers", I was pleasantly surprised to find the
rehabworker.co,uk website. It's very useful, but I haven't yet found
what I'm looking for. Talking to a rehab worker earlier in the summer, I
heard that the profession is at long last about to set up it's own
association. I'm trying to find out more about how this initiative is
progressing so that I can mention it on the news section of my website
(http://www.johnsanders.clara.net/js17news.html).
The SCA still operate the ‘professional body’ and there are no current movements on this theme – click on the professional body link in the headlines section on the right of this page to read the latest
Your help needed…
To the RO working up north who has just taken part in the job evaluation
process, I am about to go through the same process. Do you have any
advice/information that might help in getting a fair grading?
A contact number and e-mail is available – however, we would still like to publish your comments in order to assist others.
Not just O&M…
I am a rehabilitation officer based in Education, I work with VI children aged between 4 and 16 (0 – 19 for registration/assessment /support and rehab up to 19 if child staying on at school). The main parts of my role are to provide mobility/orientation training, daily living skills training, support with grants, staff training at schools, basic access audits/advice at schools, equipment (issue equipment & advise on equipment) and service development – to read the full article click here.
Thank you for taking the time to send this to us – an interesting insight into your working life. More articles like this please info@rehabworker.co.uk
Some good news…
I just wanted to let you know I am a RO working up north, I work for a LA and have been part of the job evaluation process over the last 2 years, last week I got the news that I have been regraded to the same pay scale as a progressed social worker. I feel this is a great victory for our profession.
Congratulations! Hopefully this will be replicated across the country…what do you all think? info@rehabworker.co.uk
One way of doing it…
How to show them we are not a waste of space? Ask a doubter to train a registered blind person to become independent in the home,shops,mobility and social activities. I would like them to try without training!! Or even better get them to teach Braille or keyboard skills. The list is endless...
If only...Education is the only way to ‘convince’ people of the necessity for specialists. Unfortunately, you can take the horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
Rushed off my feet but…
Hi, just dashing out again so some quick thoughts about your editorial page.
Could not attend Consultation on NOS as Department would only fund 'bus fare' and I could not face a four hour journey to Birmingham by public bus. Did read Standards and submitted a response. The main area of concern was the lack of any detail to do with visual impairment - especially compared with amount of detail on hearing impairment. The lack of any correlation with the VI Standards that were rejected some time ago in favour of these new standards and the assumption that the skills needed by hearing impaired and vi people are identical.
I do agree that many tasks currently seen as the work of RWs can be undertaken by other staff with appropriate training and awareness which brings me to the issue of where our skills will be needed (or recognised) in the future. Where people have major loss of vision and have to rely on non sighted methods of progressing/learning, our skills are of paramount importance. I am a whole hearted supporter of Low Vision Committees but do feel the current emphasis on 'low vision' and eye care pathways can detract from the services needed by people who have little or no useful vision. It is also difficult for professionals in other fields to recognise the major psychological impact of sight loss - of whatever degree - on an individual and one of the key roles of an RW is to deal with these emotional issues in order to motivate and encourage a person to take on training or to continue to undertake everyday tasks.
The role is bound to change - and so it should in an evolving society - but to 'throw the baby out with the bath water' will only result in poorer services to a group of people who receive little enough in the current climate. Ensuring that all people who work, in whatever capacity, have a greater knowledge and understanding of visual impairment can only be of benefit and should lead to more inclusion and less isolation. On the other hand to lose the expertise of trained RWs will mean that many people will become more dependent and isolated.
The NOS need to take all these issues into account as do the Managers and professionals who advised the ADSS sub group on sensory impairment.
Not the most coherent argument but the best I can do with current pressure of work.
Thank you for this. Unfortunately, you are one of many who have been unable to secure any funding to attend the NOS consultations and your comments above would have been an important addition. However, by submitting a response it is hoped your views are considered.
Oooh! I think he likes us…
I’d just like to add my two pen’orth by saying I like the comments made on this site – by the ‘owners’ and the ‘contributors’. Yes, the monthly ‘editorial’ is often of a downbeat nature but in my view this is valid. The articles should be written to promote a response from professionals – what else are they supposed to do? Wipe our brow perhaps, tell us not to worry it’ll all be alright? Things in the rehab world are not alright – for too long now people have sat around doing nothing to promote rehab. C’mon everybody – wake up!
This is obviously written from the heart, we happen to agree – no surprise there.
…and another…Location, wrong side of Bristol, not good accessibility,...Location, easier to get to the Birmingham venue, near train station, door to door so to speak. Location, in time that is; easier to take the time on a Friday and then slink off somewhere for the weekend.....Don't accuse anyone of disinterest. How many people raised the question of when the first set of dates were approaching and the secretariat had no idea of potential dates, times, locations, uptake to cater for.....And who is going to raise why educators/providers of training like yourselves with your other hats on are to be excluded???? We are a little confused by this but thanks for responding.Incidentally, Rehabworker.co.uk does not offer any training/education programmes. Keep your comments coming info@rehabworker.co.uk
Someone disagrees...I visit this site quite regularly (when work pressures allow) and every time I do, I come away feeling annoyed at the tone of some of the home page editorial. The latest thing to annoy me is the assumption that people can not be bothered to turn up to consultation meetings in Bristol. The more likely scenario is that people cannot get the time off or afford the time off to attend. The other factor is that there are always places that are miles from such consultations which makes attending impossible. This does not mean people are not interested or bothered! Also the use of capitals in your editorial suggests that you are shouting at us (may just be my interpretation) which I feel is unnecessary. I know you are probably just trying to motivate us - some of us are highly motivated but have enough trouble finding the time to undertake our bread and butter work. Lengthy waiting lists and battles with management on a local level take up all our 'campaigning strength.If you choose to post my response, please do not publish my personal details other than my name. Thank you for responding, it’s a pleasure to receive an e-mail that contradicts what people say and starts the debate. The ‘editorial’ is designed to get people like you talking to us and to let us know what holds you back from attending an important consultation meeting like the NOS. If there is a consistent theme then this should be put to the organisers so that they can consider other options. In fairness, there is an online consultation going on but how many Rehab Specialists know about it? You obviously know your e-mail etiquette and we apologise if you were offended by the use of capital letters; we are not intending to shout – the emphasis is there to attract the eye. While we admire your work ethic – and many of us are the same – it is important to remember that this is your career you are ‘campaigning’ for. Without the Rehab Specialist’s view there is no-one to put forward the case for a rehabilitative approach to care and the NOS will reflect this – remember, this is about ‘best practice’ to bring together skills, knowledge and values. Thanks again for your effort in responding - please keep it up.
Have your say like this dedicated professional e-mail info@rehabworker.co.uk