The William Keown Trust

Highlighting The Achievements And Promoting The Dignity Of People With Disabilities

July - Sept

July

Press releases for Personal Achievement Awards were issued to over a hundred publications

Invitations for corporate membership were issued to businesses - these companies also received copies of our newsletter and other informative leaflets.

Copies of the Trust’s June edition of Newsletter was sent to councils, advertisers, contributors, health boards, associate members, award recipients, etc. Our newsletter is also available to read over the Internet through our highly subscribed website.

In October of this year , the final provisions on the physical adjustments to premises embedded in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) will be implemented. There is still considerable debate as to what this will mean in practice for people with disabilities, industry and statutory bodies. The Access and Education Committee, aware of this need, arranged for a number of top international experts in the field of inclusive design to meet and share their expertise with us - in June the information and invitations to this unique seminar were issued to councils, architects, health boards, housing associations and various other organisations with an interest in disability issues

Invitations to renew associate membership were issued to the many friends we have made over the years. Membership can cost as little as £5 per year and ensures receipt of Trust information, updates, newsletters and leaflets throughout the year.

August

Further funding applications were issued and successful meetings undertaken with sponsors - we are extremely grateful to everyone who in the past has been generous in their support of our work.

A meeting of the Trust’s Board of Directors took place to discuss a number of issues.

The directors oversee the work of the three main committees

· The Admin, Finance and Awards Committee

· The Access and Education Committee

· The Public Awareness Committee

Due to the busy schedule of members, meetings are kept to a minimum of two a year which means that a full agenda is the order of the day.

Applications were made to stores and shopping centres for dates in respect of collection days for 2004.

Photographs and mementos of the ceremony in June were sent to all the recipients of Personal Achievement Awards – the Trust enjoys keeping in contact with the friends we make through our various award ceremonies, seminars and events throughout the year.

On behalf of the Trust past president Eric Lyons visited a school in Lisburn, he gave a talk on our work and encouraged the children to help us collect stamps in our support for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. There are currently over 5,000 people in Northern Ireland who are registered visually impaired or blind. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has been helping people in Northern Ireland since 1943 and has had a centre based in Belfast since 1984. At present there are over 100 Guide Dog Owners in Northern Ireland, whilst the Association provides advice and long cane training to 400 people in Northern Ireland per year. We are extremely successful in our drive for used postage stamps and are the GDBA’s premier source for this type of funding in Northern Ireland

September

Research was undertaken for the Royal Victoria Hospital in respect housing and accommodation facilities for a family with disabilities - our association and assistance given to health boards, trusts, councils and other agencies is greatly appreciated.

Christmas catalogues were distributed - these catalogues contain a wide selection of Christmas cards, wrapping paper, crackers, gifts, etc. The Trust receives 25% of the total value of any orders placed towards our fundraising.

Members of the Trust attended a RADAR meeting in London. These meetings keep the Trust updated on disability issues and solutions throughout Great Britain

Meetings of the Access and Education Committee took place to finalise the forthcoming Trust seminar.

Invitations to Public Awareness Conference were issued - the Trust sees the Public Awareness Conference as an important element where they can come together with the community and discuss and debate the issues that affect the lifestyles, choice and independence of people with disabilities, their families, their carers and the elderly. Ultimately the Trust endeavours to see a more accessible/barrier free environment. The PAC meetings are held twice a year and are mainly hosted by a borough/district council. They provide a unique opportunity for both the providers and users of the various services to come together to try and address the issues that prevent or impede access to the built and external environment.