Sharing information through UPDATE
An oppurtuninty for national and specialist organisations to distribute and share information more effectively.
Use UPDATE - Scotland's National Disability Information Service
Content
- Introduction
- Use UPDATE to share and distribute information
- Use UPDATE to share expertise
- Contact details
The Disability Discrimination Act states that information must be made as available and accessible to disabled people as it is for everyone else.
Introduction
When the Enabling Information report was published in 1995 it listed a full range of proposals, based on clearly stated principles, for improving information provision to disabled people.
From these proposals emerged key recommendations which have been acted upon as follows:
- An advisory body – SAIF - is implementing, developing and promoting the recommendations.
- National standards for disability information and advice provision have been produced.
- A national disability information service, UPDATE, has been established.
- Many local authorities are developing accessible information strategies.
- The development of information technology has led SAIF to develop a comprehensive and accessible website which is an example of good practice.
SAIF and UPDATE now work in partnership, both aiming to deliver on the recommendations in Enabling Information.
SAIF is an advisory body and UPDATE is a voluntary organisation, both receive funding from the Scottish Executive.
SAIF produces guidance and develops policy which supports the rights of disabled people and carers to have access to information in the format or method which meets their needs.
UPDATE is the reliable source of disability information in Scotland. It provides a full range of services including specialist knowledge on anything from accessible holidays to disability rights, an expert telephone and online advice and information service, comprehensive training services, and consultancy on information management systems.
Use UPDATE to share and distribute information
Another core recommendation of Enabling Information was that national information providers should improve the provision of their information at local levels.
UPDATE provides the opportunity and the means for this to happen.
Whilst UPDATE is a membership and subscription organisation, particularly aimed at local information and advice providers, it is also possible to work with them without becoming a member.
Many national and specialist organisations have developed arrangements with UPDATE which enable them to share and distribute their information more widely.
This information is sometimes specialist, aimed at disabled people particularly, but more often is general, and of interest to disabled people in the same way as it is for others.
Many organisations now use UPDATE as an established part of their distribution system. Any relevant information is distributed to all UPDATE member organisations through:
- a monthly Current Awareness Service,
- via the website,
- or by specific mail shots.
It can be about:
- forthcoming events,
- new services,
- new policies or legislation,
- job vacancies,
- welfare benefits changes,
- new publications, consultation or research documents, fact sheets or campaigns.
There is usually no charge for this service, unless for example items for distribution by post are particularly weighty.
As a national or specialist organisation with information to distribute – are you using this opportunity?
Are you ensuring that disabled people can get the same information as everyone else?
Use UPDATE to share expertise
UPDATE has developed arrangements with organisations whereby they can seek each other’s advice and assistance when dealing with enquiries.
For example:
UPDATE can find itself providing advice to a disabled person about a workplace issue or holiday arrangements. Another agency, which deals with such matters in a generalist way will sometimes assist disabled people. Both organisations can benefit with some help from the other. Such partnerships lead to a more holistic service, are capacity building, and benefit services users.
For example:
- Is the information you want to distribute accessible to disabled people?
- What are the steps you should take to ensure that it is?
Again, many organisations simply ask UPDATE for the help they need. Usually there is some way in which that help can be reciprocated and a mutually beneficial arrangement is negotiated which ultimately benefits service users.
Again, as a national or specialist organisation with information to provide – are you using this opportunity?
Are disabled people able to get the same expert advice or information from you which everyone else can?
Contact details
Contact UPDATE at:
27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh EH7 4JE
Tel: 0131 558 5200
Fax: 0131 558 5201
Text: 0131 558 5202
Email:
Website: www.update.org.uk
For more information about SAIF and SAIF publications, contact:
SAIF, Scottish Consumer Council,
100 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DN.
Tel: 0141 226 5261
Fax: 0141 221 0731
Text: 0141 226 8459
Email: