News and Press Releases - archive 2
October 10, 2006
Proudlock Associates lends its support
to World Mental Health Day
Proudlock Associates is pleased to support World Mental Health Day 2006, which takes place today, Tuesday 10th October 2006.
Founder, Tracey Proudlock says “There is enormous stigma surrounding mental health. Therefore raising the profile of the requirements of people with mental health concerns gives us a terrific opportunity to assess what we can do to create truly inclusive environments that promote good mental health.”
She adds, “The discrimination faced by people with mental health concerns is something we monitor carefully. It’s such a pity that mental health issues only seem to grab the headlines in a positive way on this special day. We need to be thinking daily about creative ways of bringing new improved practices and procedures into our local communities. That’s why we are happy to promote and attend the Through the Lens exhibition and the launch of the Haringey User Network.”
Notes for Editors:
- Proudlock Associates work with companies to meet the needs of disabled people, whether they are customers or employees.
- The Haringey User Network can be contacted at www.haringeyusernetwork.org.uk
- Through the Lens exhibition can be viewed 10-31 October 2006 at La Kera, Chocolate Factory, 2 Coburg Road, London N22 6UJ
- For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Tracey Proudlock, please contact Siobhán Crozier on 07831 214352.
September 8th, 2006
Independent Living Bill welcomed
Proudlock Associates welcome and support Lord Ashley’s Independent Living Bill which has recently been introduced into parliament. The bill aims to strengthen the rights of disabled people by ensuring that that have access to communication support and can choose where they want to live. It will also say that local authorities have a duty to provide services that give disabled people more autonomy in their lives.
The Disability Rights Commission RC collaborated with Lord Ashley of Stoke in preparing the Bill, which will deliver stronger rights and entitlements to independent living for disabled people based on the principles of freedom, control, choice and dignity.
“This Bill should give people choice about how they want to live and the power to exercise that choice,” says Tracey Proudlock.
“As a business, we actively support organisations in removing the barriers that shut disabled people out, so I think it’s crucial that we add our voice to these debates. We want to record our support for the Independent Living Bill, which seeks to give disabled people the means to live independently and to choose the appropriate support that they need. Equally, we oppose legislation that would endanger the lives of disabled people, such as the recent attempt by Lord Joffe to introduce his Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill.”
Notes for Editors:
- The Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill 2006 is now available on the Parliament website (PDF): www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldbills/122/2006122.htm
- For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Tracey Proudlock, please contact Siobhán Crozier on 07831 214352.
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September 8th, 2006
New Premises for Proudlock Associates
Proudlock Associates, leading disability consultants has announced its move to a new suite of offices in north London. Owner Tracey Proudlock said “The move has been necessary to cope with expansion of the business and new staff, including the employment of Nora Kirkwood as office manager.
“Our reputation of providing quality consultancy services has led to our appointment to high profile prominent projects. We’re currently working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Willmott Dixon, Barking Riverside and Land Securities Trillium.” she adds, “We wanted to ensure that our clients continue to receive a prompt response to enquiries and the growing volume of business led to our decision to relocate and to employ Nora to support the work of our consultants. Our work is based on direct experience of disability and we give companies down-to-earth, practical solutions.” explains Tracey.
To kick start removing barriers today companies will find it helpful to look at our website, where free downloads are available to help them improve access for disabled people.
Notes for Editors:
- Proudlock Associates’ new offices are at Tottenham Green Enterprise Centre (TGEC), Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX. Tel 0208 375 3674.
- For media enquiries, please contact Siobhán Crozier on 07831 214352
March 20th, 2006
Business Award for Disability Consultancy
North London disability consultancy, Proudlock Associates, has won the Haringey City Growth Business Award for Best Business Support. Owner Tracey Proudlock received the award from Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, in a ceremony at The Decorium in Wood Green on Thursday, March 16th.
Proudlock Associates deliver training and consultancy services to help companies meet their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005. They audit buildings to identify the barriers that can exclude people and review policies and procedures that can prevent disabled people from using services.
The consultancy is currently creating inclusive environments with Land Securities Trillium, the BBC, the National Assembly for Wales, London First, the Arts Marketing Association and the London Borough of Haringey.
“I see a bright future for the business because we are working with architects and design teams, planning new developments which will complete during the next decade,” said Tracey Proudlock. “Our consultancy is based on our own direct experience of disability, so we give companies down-to-earth solutions that make a real difference.”
Changes to the law present fresh challenges, both for building professionals and for organisations that need to comply. “People in the building industry might not think they're struggling but my experience of using some very new buildings shows significant deficiencies,” says Tracey. “Access is not just about ramps and lifts. It’s about how companies manage their buildings and the policies they operate, which can lock disabled people out of using their services. The law now protects disabled people from this discrimination, so we advise companies about adapting their buildings but we also train their staff in delivering accessible services.”
For media enquiries, contact Siobhán Crozier on 07831 214352.
To discuss a project relating to disability and access, contact Tracey Proudlock 07921 776361.
Notes for Editors:
- Under the law - Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, a disabled person has the right to sue through the County Court if reasonable changes have not been made to the premises of any business or service open to the general public. Changes can include providing alternatives to steps for wheelchair users, better lighting for visually-impaired customers and plain English signage.
- There are around 10 million disabled people in Britain. Disabled people have an annual spending power of £80 billion a year.
- There are a total of 2.1 million service providers in the UK. An estimated 1.4 million private sector service providers and 104,000 public sector providers are affected by the law.
- For guidance on how to begin to remove barriers immediately, free downloads are available from Proudlock Associates on http://www.proudlockassociates.com/downloads/Improving_Access.pdf
- Haringey City Growth Business Awards 2006 acknowledge and celebrate excellence and achievement within Haringey’s diverse business community.
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