Feb 2008
Neurodiversity & Autism Action Group DRAFT Final Document
Dear all,
I know you already support the Charter, which is acknowledged in the document. If this is not enough time, then please let me know whether or not you support the following key recommendations:
1. It is to be a "Living Document" which is to be updated regularly.
2. To ensure accountability to disabled people and our organisations, a Neurodiversity & Autism Action Group (NAG) Implementation (& Development) Group will be set up.
3. Independent Living (as defined in the Charter) is to be the main goal. Within this three of the most key areas for action include:
3.1. The Accessible Environment (in the broadest sense, including Homes, Transport, Offices, Places where services are delivered, shops, Places of Entertainment, Places of Worship, other working and street environments, etc).
3.2. Health (including metabolic testing)
3.3. Advocacy (in all its forms).
Yours Adrian
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Re: Urgent additional new information & will go out Tuesday or Wednesday...was...Amendments in response to criticism.
Comparative documents.
Cc. Colin Revell, mediator
Dear Jo
As you know I would like us to "speak with one voice". So, I am happy to delay sending it out (conditionally) until Tuesday or Wednesday. But, as you also should know, in the words of a famous trade unionist: "If you surrender all of your principles to gain office, you have office, not power".
Hence, as long ago as last March I reiterated that there were "bottom lines". In writing. This was confirmed in person and in writing repeatedly, including in August. That position has not changed. Also, in formulating my response I have the right to consult whom I like.
The MHAG document has already gone out to Norman Green, NAS Company Secretary, to form part of items for the NAS to consider in a short notice meeting with the Department of Health. It is stand alone in any event.
In addition, I received a copy, in my post box when I got home last night, of the DRC's Celebrating the Journey, its legacy document (also available at www.celebratingthejourney.org)
On p.38 it has the following statement: Autism and Neurodiversity Action Group "The DRC pioneered the establishment of this Group concerned with strengthening the rights and prospects of people with autistic conditions and neurodiverse conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and aspraxia. The Group has advised on a range of DRC services and policies and has set out a statement of proposed commitment and action for the future."
"Aspraxia" is clearly meant to be dyspraxia, but the general public wouldn't know it. Unlike with the Learning Disability Action Group and the Mental Health Action Group, where there is a detailed description of what they have done, and pictures of the groups (naming all the members), whether present or not.
Differences must replace conditions. This must also be amended to "dyspraxia". Dyslexia, dyscalcula, Tourette's syndrome, and acquired neurodiversity (after strokes and brain injury) and degenerative neurodiversity (a feature of stages of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease and MS, etc) must be added. And some of what we have done (especially MHAG's declaration, the Conference results and ICE).
In addition it should be stated that, for example, the Liberal Democrats now use neurodiversity in some official documents, such as Conference Access Group reports. There is space for all this on p.38. Actions speak louder than words, always. I don't especially care who is attributed overall authorship as long as each section and contribution is correctly attributed to the person who wrote it.
I regard my own contribution, apart from any typing errors and remarks which directly criticise individuals, to be non-negotiable. If there are differences of opinion they must be honestly stated as items for debate. I am taking on trust any amendments you make to the original document you have presented, which should go after my initial introduction setting the overall scene.
No-one else has objected to any of my additions, other than the things already amended, apart from being, in one instance, slightly unclear about who had authored what. Perhaps the logical thing would be to state that the beginning, "Setting the Scene" was drafted by me, with input from others, and that the main bulk was drafted by you, except where otherwise attributed. With attributed amendments.
It is imperative to remember that we are talking on behalf of everyone in the neurodiverse community. I am not out for personal glory, but do want to see the copyleft principle of correct attribution followed.
Finally, I am glad that we managed to talk more calmly yesterday and want to thank Colin Revell especially for all his support. I will need to be able to see the results of your meeting with Bob Niven by Monday night in time for me to access it at a library or at an internet cafe on Tuesday and then to talk to MHAG.
I will be out all day Sunday and am attending an important meeting (the Son-Rise programme) on Sunday evening. However, I hope to be back by 10 or so on Sunday evening. It is important to remain calm in all this and to realise that my concern is to make sure that as much action as possible happens following the closure of the DRC.
I will also publicise whether or not the group has "sold out" by rejecting the broader disability and disabled people's and social inclusion agendas. We have to ensure that our agenda is not watered down. It is my intention to present whatever report I agree to to the next NAS Council meeting. I also already have an offer within the Disabled People's Movement to have it published on the website of one of their leading organisations.
Come what may. Hope this helps to clarify my position, which I feel is reasonable under all the circumstances. Yours sincerely and with fond regards Adrian Whyatt, Chair, GLAD.
In an official capacity.
On 9/21/07, Jo wrote:
Hi Adrian Thank you for this - just got in from work and have another meeting to go to wont be able to put in my amendments till Sunday hope you will be kind enough not to send anything. I will do it on Monday as agreed with Bob I would also like to discuss with you others I will to send it when it has all views are expressed. This is what we discussed on the phone there is no point sending it unfinished when all information is not in the document. Two documents will also dilute the message lets speak from one agreed document.Hope this is considered a reasonable request as I am the primary author with the rest of the ND group.
Regards Jo
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