Posts Tagged Events

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

We opened thirteen years ago today, with a launch in the Glancynon supported by Cymru Health Care.  We start our fourteenth year in very different circumstances, the world certainly isn’t the same as it was in 2007.

With the current Coronavirus restrictions in place we sadly can’t celebrate with any form of event but when the time is right we’ll pop a cork or two.

Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales
Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales

For now, we’re proud to announce that we will be launching our online training range in October starting with our online Disability Awareness training course.  While we’re still working on developing these packages, more will be launched in the coming weeks.

Principal Consultant and company founder Richard Jones would like to thank all those who have supported the company in the last thirteen years.  Thanks go to the clients we’ve worked with, partner organisations and to all our friends for helping out when needed.

Happy Birthday Accessible Wales
Happy Birthday Accessible Wales

Are you Disability Aware?

Are you Disability Aware?

Accessible Wales will be holding a Disability Awareness Training course on Thursday 21st September at the Cynon Valley Museum.  The course costs £32.45 and will run from 10am – 1pm.

Delegates on the  November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Delegates on the November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Since opening in 2010 we have built up a successful training service with our Disability Awareness Training course being our flagship course.  You can find some of our testimonials by clicking here, we’ll be adding more soon.

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

The course is facilitated by company owner and Principal Consultant Richard Jones the courses are light hearted and informative.  Delegates will be pleased to know that the training they receive will be carried out in Richard’s informal, yet informative style aimed at helping them understand disability on a practical day-to-day basis.

Lynwen Francis, Practice Manager from St John’s Medical Practice says the following about the training her staff received:

“I write to thank you for the invaluable training you have provided to our staff both at the Aberdare and Cardiff sites.  Our staff thoroughly enjoyed the training sessions and found the interaction both educational and fun.  Many staff members are apprehensive around training as they worry they will made to feel or look foolish – this was definitely not the case with your training and everyone came back animated and enthusiastic about the subject.

I would happy to recommend your training to anyone and will be looking to do refresher courses next year.”

Even if you’ve attended similar courses before, this course is one that you should have under your belt to help you with your professional and personal development.  Whether you’re a taxi driver, a politician or professor this course will benefit you!

To book a place on this course visit here, alternatively you can email us for more information.  Block bookings can be catered for, we can also train your staff/volunteers/members at your venue.  Get in touch for more information.

Disability Awareness Training, Thursday 21st September

Naidex 2017 – A Review

Naidex 2017 – A Review

On Wednesday 29th March I along with volunteers from Accessible News attended the Naidex Exhibition which took place in the NEC in Birmingham.  With over 150 seminars, 250 exhibitors and an abundance of live demos and interactive features it was a tremendous event.

I have attended this event a couple of times before, once when I was studying in college and later with my mother through the RCT Carers Support Project.

Accessible WC in the car park of the Birmingham NEC

Accessible WC in the car park of the Birmingham NEC

I was inspired with confidence when, after arriving at the venue and parking the car, I noticed an accessible toilet in the car park.  Now I know as an exhibition concentrated on all aspects of disability and impairments you’d expect accessibility, but how often are people with disabilities let down…. Not in this case!

Accessible WC door showing disability is not just about wheelchairs

Accessible WC door showing disability is not just about wheelchairs

The second thing, on a similar theme I noticed was the sign on the accessible WC door was the sign highlighting that not all people with disabilities use wheelchairs, something that is backed up by a recent campaign we ran on facebook.  With over 718 shares on our campaign and 1400 likes we were spurred on to change our logo to adopt the positive “thumbs up” as opposed to the traditional wheelchair.

The Magic Carpet Exhibit

The Magic Carpet Exhibit

The exhibitors that were on display were phenomenal, with stalls ranging from funky customised walking sticks and mobility aids to fluffy and cool wheelchairs for children.  The shift in stalls from the gadgets and gizmos last time I went up, to mobile phone based app products and sensory equipment (such as the exhibit above) was tremendous, it shows the way technology was advancing.

Made 2 Aid Electronic Neater Eater

Made 2 Aid Electronic Neater Eater

There were great devices such as this robotic arm that fed people who could not feed themselves.

Testing the magic knife

Testing the magic knife

As a keen foodie and founder of wheeliegoodmeals.co.uk I was interested to see the magic knife, it was a knife that needed very little pressure to cut through everything from bread, tomatoes and Swede.

Changing Places accessible changing room

Changing Places accessible changing room

I have read a lot in recent times about Changing Places the campaign for fully accessible toilets, and was impressed that there was a fully accessible changing facility in the exhibition hall.  This facility had a tracking hoist, bed and accessible WC, and enough room for easy manoeuvrability.

Sports area

Sports area

The exhibition also had a large sports arena allowing people to try wheelchair football and Goalball for people with visual impairments (amongst other activities)… I may have to have a go next time!

Wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild

Wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild

The last thing we looked at was a wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild, something that was inspirational.  With a wide range of features that could be interchanged to make it accessible to people with a range of disabilities it was a sight to behold.

I would recommend the exhibition to anyone, we’ve learned a lot through our visit.  While there is a huge amount of bespoke technology created to help people with disabilities, there are a vast amount of organisations customising everyday products to make them accessible.

To view our photo album click here.  Thanks for reading, come back soon to find out more about what we’re up to.

 

 

Richard Jones

Principal Consultant.

Training Comes Home

Training Comes Home
Accessible Wales Training Venue

Accessible Wales Training Venue

Yesterday, Accessible Wales was pleased to carry out our Disability Awareness Training Course back in our old home, The Cynon Valley Museum.

Hands on activity walking around the museum

Hands on activity walking around the museum

Delegates on the course included staff from Rhondda Cynon Taff, Forest View Medical Centre and Rhos House Surgery.  The course was our three hour course which covered topics such as:

  • Introduction to Disability
  • Customer Service Scenarios
  • Appropriate Language and Signage

Our training courses are awareness based and can be full or half day.  They are practical, and allow delegates to explore issues that their clients/customers may encounter when accessing their services/products.

At Accessible Wales we pride ourselves in ensuring that all our delegates leave our training with a raised level of awareness to ensure that they are able to offer the best possible service to those they serve.

Richard Jones with Charlotte Morgan from the Cynon Valley Museum

Richard Jones with Charlotte Morgan from the Cynon Valley Museum

Principal Consultant Richard Jones can be seen pictured above with Charlotte Morgan, Development Manager for the Cynon Valley Museum.  Since opening in 2007 we have carried out a multitude of training sessions in the museum and are proud that we can rekindle our relationship.  A trust has taken over the running of the Museum and Accessible Wales will be working hand in hand with them to improve the access and help them grow, helping to make the museum a hub for the community.

Richard Jones with course delgates and volunteer Lindsey Williams

Richard Jones with course delgates and volunteer Lindsey Williams

For more information on the training we offer visit our Disability Awareness Training Page.  We will be adding more feedback from our recent courses but for now you can read many comments on our Testimonials Page.

All our training is customisable and can be offered in full day or half day format, we run regular training courses at a central venue, or we can come to you, if you have more than five staff members we can come to you.

Keep your eyes peeled for the launch of our Anti-Bullying training course for children, for more information email info@accessiblewales.co.uk.

Disability Awareness Training, 10th November 2016

Disability Awareness Training, 10th November 2016

Disability Awareness Training, 10th November 2016

Staff from The Caerau Lane Surgery, Ely and Old School Surgery Pontyclun on our most recent course

Staff from The Caerau Lane Surgery, Ely and Old School Surgery Pontyclun on our most recent course

We have training scheduled for Thursday 10th November 2016 in the Cynon Valley Museum.  Training starts at 2pm and finishes at 5pm and is £30 per person, for more information click hereicon_pdf.

Training with staff from Monmouthshire Town Council

Training with staff from Monmouthshire Town Council

We’ve trained scores of people since we began training in 2008, you can find some of our testimonials by clicking here, we’ll be adding more soon.  Thee contents of the course content will contain:

  • An Introduction To Disability
  • Customer Service Scenarios
  • Language and Signage
Delegates from a Disability Awareness Training Course in 2015

Delegates from a Disability Awareness Training Course in 2015

Led by company owner and Principal Consultant these courses are light hearted and informative.  The courses are informal and aim to help delegates understand disability on a practical day-to-day basis.  Principal Consultant Richard Jones says:

The training courses we carry out gives our clients a good base of knowledge, delegates can – explore disability and how it impacts on their day-to-day professional and personal life.  Often disability can be a difficult subject to talk about, this course is light hearted and relaxed allowing delegates to explore any concerns, queries or questions they may have about disability.

Staff from Karl's Kabs and Town's Taxis attending a Disability Awareness training course in 2014

Staff from Karl’s Kabs and Town’s Taxis attending a Disability Awareness training course in 2014

Even if you’ve attended similar courses before, this course is one that you should have under your belt to help you with your professional and personal development.  Whether you’re a taxi driver, or a school teacher this course will benefit you!

Disability Awareness Training Thursday 10th November 2016

Disability Awareness Training Thursday 10th November 2016

This course has thirteen places available on it, if you would like us to come to your staff we can… let us know!  All our training is bespoke, if you would like to know more about our training, visit the training page… or better still give us a call on 01685 810432.  You can also download our training flyer here.icon_pdf

Cynon Valley Museum Is Now Open

Cynon Valley Museum Is Now Open

Cynon Valley Museum Is Now Open

Cynon Valley Chairperson Dinah Pye (front) with Vikki Howells AM, myself, Roy Noble, Lord Aberdare and Ann Clwyd MP

Cynon Valley Chairperson Dinah Pye (front) with Vikki Howells AM, myself, Roy Noble, Lord Aberdare and Ann Clwyd MP

I was extremely pleased to be invited to the launch of the Cynon Valley Museum recently.  The museum was one of the first clients Accessible Wales worked with and I’m proud to say that relationship will continue again.

A photo taken from our first access review of the Cynon Valley Museum in 2007

A photo taken from our first access review of the Cynon Valley Museum in 2007

Since opening in 2007 Accessible Wales has had a strong working relationship with the Cynon Valley Museum, carrying out a number of access audits/reviews and basing many training courses in the suite upstairs.  We’ve even used the museum as a base for our training/refresher Access Reviews.

As part of our non-profit organisation Accessible News I established an information surgery which operated from the museum for a number of years helping local residents with issues such as benefits queries, supporting people with employment issues and more.  The museum was ideally placed to offer this service as it has the meeting room on the upstairs which offers confidentiality and a more relaxed area in the cafe for general conversation.

People studied the exhibits enthusiastically

People studied the exhibits enthusiastically

Accessible Wales will be continuing to work with the trustees, staff and volunteers of the museum over a prolonged period of time to improve the access in and around the building as well as improving features for people with varying disabilities.  The trustees are keen to make the museum the heart of the community and I know they share my view that providing access and facilities for all is the ideal way to accomplish this goal.

A Recent Photograph of the front of the museum

A Recent Photograph of the front of the museum

Congratulations to the trustees, Charlotte Morgan (Development Manager) and volunteers on their fantastic effort in getting the museum open and hosting such a fantastic event.  Thanks to Clint Elwyn Thomas for some of the photographs.

Thanks for reading

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Richard Jones

Principal Consultant

Accessible Wales

Forging Relationships with Merthyr Council

Forging Relationships with Merthyr Council

Forging Relationships with Merthyr Council

Monday 16th May I attended the launch of the Remain Campaign in Merthyr

Monday 16th May I attended the launch of the Remain Campaign in Merthyr

After recently attending the launch of the Remain campaign in Penderyn Square, Merthyr Tydfil I had the pleasure of meeting Cllr Brendan Toomey Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Leader.  We had a brief chat and swapped contact details.

Since then Brendan and I have communicated via email and social networking, a meeting was arranged for me to meet with Kerry O’Donovan, Corporate Risk and Equalities Manager for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.  From our communications Brendan appeared to be an approachable and positive thinking person, keen to look at equality issues.

Kerry O'Donovan and I outside Merthyr's Civic Centre

Kerry O’Donovan and I outside Merthyr’s Civic Centre

Kerry and I met yesterday, a glorious Tuesday morning, at the Civic Centre, a picturesque and prestigious building which appeared to be wheelchair accessible on the ground floor.

Merthyr's Civic Centre

Merthyr’s Civic Centre

We discussed the services Accessible Wales offers such as the training consultancy and access consultancy service.  The meeting was very positive and Kerry and I we will be discussing opportunities on an ongoing basis.  We also discussed our non-profit sister organisation Accessible Newsicon_external and the work we undertake, for more information visit the website.

Kerry has an excellent attitude towards equality and progressing with improving equality awareness and I look forward to working with him in  the future.

I’d like to thank both Brendan for arranging to the meeting, and Kerry for taking the time to meet me.  I thought the meeting was excellent and both Accessible Wales and Accessible News can forge strong relationships with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in order to benefit its staff, business, groups/organisations and residents.

If you would like to meet with me to discuss the services my company offers or would like to know more about Accessible News visit our contact page.

Thanks for your time.

signature

 

 

Richard Jones

Principal Consultant

Disability Awareness Training – January and February 2016

3 Disability Awareness Training Courses at times to suit you

3 Disability Awareness Training Courses at times to suit you

It’s January and the weather is damp and dark, is your company/organisation struggling too? Maybe we can help, we are running three disability awareness training courses in January and February at times to suit most people.

We have 8 places available, £30 per person on the following courses:

  • Monday 18th January 10am – 1pm
  • Friday 29th January 2pm – 5pm
  • Thursday 4th February 5pm-8pm

For £30 delegates will be trained by myself, an experienced Disability Awareness trainer with firsthand experience in disability issues on a personal and professional level.

The courses are fun, friendly and informative, all delegates receive a certificate of attendance and can apply any knowledge acquired on a daily basis in both their personal and professional life.

This course is open to staff members, volunteers and management of organisations and businesses as well as, for the first time, members of the public. It is an ideal opportunity to enhance CV’s and improve career prospects as well as customer client service.

For more information please email rjones@accessiblewales.co.uk – you can’t afford to miss this opportunity.  Please remember we can also offer training at your venue, or a venue of your choice at a time that suits yourself.

For more information on these courses you can download our flyer here icon_pdf

See some pictures of our successful training courses below:

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An Opportunity You Can’t Afford To Miss

An Opportunity You Can’t Afford To Miss

Are you looking to enhance your CV? Accessible Wales is running three courses in 2016 at times to suit you. For £30 per person we are offering small intimate informal Disability Awareness Training Courses which we guarantee will help enhance your CV and broaden your knowledge.

3 Disability Awareness Training Courses at times to suit you

Feedback from some of our previous courses

Excellent delivery, fun and interesting

Newport Housing Trust

I would be interested in future course, because had an eye opener attending this

GWALIA Residential Society

An interesting course which raised my awareness of difficulties disabled people face daily. Some ideas we can introduce in the nursery

Celtic Manor

‘Thoroughly enjoyed and learnt about issues that i would never have thought of’

‘’Very clear and easy to understand’

‘Not to long so i was interested in what was being said’

Ysgol Ty Coch

For more information please give us a ring on 01685 810432 or email info@accessiblewales.co.uk

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Disability Awareness Training – Wednesday 27th May 2015

Disability Awareness Training – Wednesday 27th May 2015

Following the success of April’s Disability Awareness Course we have scheduled another training course, only this time it’s in our own office as part of our new informal training suite called “Accessible Suite”.

Wednesday 27th May 2015, Accessible Suite, Robertstown House (see Contact Page for details) £30 per person 10:30 – 13:30

Delegates from April's Disability Awareness Training Course

Delegates from April’s Disability Awareness Training Course

Accessible Wales is pleased to announce that we are hosting the very first Disability Awareness Training courses in our newly laid out accessible training suite.  Our course is on Wednesday 27th May 2015 and is an ideal time for people who have work in the afternoon or taxi drivers who have school runs.

Accessible Wales feel that that your staff, volunteers, partners or maybe even clients would benefit from attending the course.

Our Disability Awareness course aims to help boost the working practices of those who attend, making them more aware of the needs of people with varying disabilities – in turn providing a better service for your organisation.

The course will times are 10:30 – 13:30, it is £30 per person and there are six places available, as prevously said we are holding it in our office in Robertstown, for directions visit our contact page.

Those attending will be trained in a subject which is on times, heavy and more often than not overlooked.  The host of this session will be Richard Jones, founder and Principal Consultant of Accessible Wales, sessions are informal, highly informative, very affective and at times, highly amusing!

Limited places are available, book now to avoid disappointment – not sure about booking, give us a call for a chat or email us on info@accessiblewales.co.uk! You can find out what other delegates thought about the training by visiting our Training Consultancy page and reading some of the feedback left.

If you have staff that you would like trained at your premises, that’s fine, we can do that to!

Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you soon!  For more information on this course, click here to download a flyer.

For more information on the training services we offer visit our Training Services PageRemember we can train at your venue

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