Access Panel Network e-Newsletter

January 2016 - Issue 10

Welcome to our first issue of 2016. In this issue we are focusing on funding

applications but we also have an opportunity for Panel members to get

involved in the Scottish Government’s BSL National Advisory Group.

We hope you enjoy this issue and remember if you have anything you want to

share with other Panels please let us know. We’re always on the lookout for

interesting articles for our newsletter.

Why not forward our newsletter to your Panel Members giving them the

opportunity to Subscribe. Don’t forget we also publish our newsletters on the

Access Panel Network website in a variety of different formats, including

Audio, where you can also catch up on past issues too.

Happy New Year

The Access Panel Team, and all the staff at SDEF, would like to

wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2016.

Access Panel Grant Fund Application

We are now in the 4th and final Quarter of the funding year and

Panels will hopefully be preparing their applications to the Fund.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Access Panel

Network at http://accesspanelnetwork.org.uk/funding-support/.

If you need any help or advice about what you can use your

APG funding for contact Bill or Katrina. Or if you have any

questions about your Access Panel Grant balance just give us a

call. Don’t miss out get your applications in now.

Promotional Pack

Last month we asked Panels if they would be interested in a

Promotional Pack sourced and purchased through SDEF, and

paid for using your Access Panel Grant Fund. The Pack

contains Pop-up Stands, Posters, Leaflets and Business Cards

all with room for both your Panel name and any logo you have

on each item. A full pack costs £278, including delivery, and

Panels can order more than one pack. If you want more than

the standard pack you can order additional items individually.

If your Panel would like to take up this offer please get in touch

and we will send you an order form.

Access Audit Toolkit

Also last month we asked panels if they would like to purchase

an Access Audit Toolkit through SDEF, similar to the Toolkits

issued to our National Access Survey Team. As with the

Promotional Pack, Panels can use their Access Panel Grant

Funds to purchase the Toolkit. A complete kit will cost

approximately £400. Panels can order a complete kit or just the

items they need.

If your Panel would like to take up this offer please get in touch

and we will send you an order form.

Access Panel Network News

Keep up to date with news from other panels on the APN

website - http://accesspanelnetwork.org.uk/category/panel-news/

British Sign Language (BSL) National Advisory Group (NAG)

The Scottish Government has announced plans to recruit ten

Deaf BSL users to the British Sign Language (BSL) National

Advisory Group (NAG), which will advise Scottish Ministers on

what should be included in the first BSL National Plan. Two

places on the group will be reserved for Deafblind people who

use BSL, and two will be for young Deaf people who use BSL.

An eleventh place will go to the hearing parent of a Deaf child,

and nine places will be taken by public bodies who are subject to

the new legislation. The closing date for applications is Thursday 28 January 2016 at 11.59pm.

The Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP), which has been created by

the Scottish Government to support implementation of the new

BSL (Scotland) Act, is working across Scotland to encourage

and support a large and diverse number of Deaf / Deafblind BSL

users to apply.

DSP Website – BSL NAG page:

http://deafsectorpartnership.net/nag/

If you have any questions contact DSP

admin@deafpartnership.net.

Don't Forget Our 2 Great Offers

Free "PanelTown" Website OfferGet online with the Access Panel Network and get a website built by SDEF. Contact Katrina for more information.

Free Insurance CoverSDEF provides free insurance

cover to Access Panel under their policy. Contact Katrina for more

information.