Planning for Needs and Rights: Joining up Government for Disabled Children is the theme of a conference being held at the Thistle Marble Arch, London W1, July 12. It will explore ways in which the new structures and approaches initiated by the Government can offer a “joined-up” response. A new report from Scope on changing patterns in cerebral palsy will also be presented. Speakers include: Professor Albert Aynsley-Green, president, Association of Clinical Professors of Paediatrics, Great Ormond Street Hospital and chair of the Children’s Task Force; and Dr Philippa Russell OBE, disability rights commissioner and director, Council for Disabled Children. Fee: pound;399 plus VAT; reduced rates available. Bookings: Neil Stewart Associates, tel: 020 7878 1040. E-mail: info@neilstewartassociates.co.ukWeb: www. neilstewartassociates.com
The disability charity Scope is to host a world congress on conductive education at Queen Mary and Westfield College, Mile End Road, London E1, September 12-14. Held in partnership with the International Peto Association and Institute, it will be addressed by the prime minister of Hungary. (Conductive education develops physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills to promote more independence). Fee: pound;350-pound;390 residential; pound;140 non-residential; pound;110 students. Tickets: Scope Education Services, Craig-y-Parc School, Pentyrch, Cardiff CF15 9NB. Tel: 029 2089 1251. E-mail: cecongress@scope.org.uk
The Special Needs Technology 2001 conference for carers, special needs teachers, therapists and disabled musicians is being held at the National Early Music Centre, York, October 20. Called Access to Digital Arts and Music, it is organised by Ensemble Research (an association of musicians, teachers, engineers, therapists and commercial organisations), Drake Music Project (some members will perform on the day) and Sightsonic (the York digital arts festival, October 19-21). It will explore access to the digital arts for disabled performers. Maryan Marshman, electronics department, tel: 01904 432319. For information about Drake Music Project, Ensemble Research and Sightsonic visit www.drakemusicproject.com, www.ensembleresearch.org and www.sightsonic.com
I CAN Training, an educational charity for children with speech and language difficulties, is running these courses: How to use collaborative, computer-supported writing process instruction to improve spoken and written language in mainstream settings, July 17, London Voluntary Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7; More than words: the Hanen Programme for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, December 10-12, I CAN Central Office, London EC1; Helping children with semantic and pragmatic language difficulties to learn and communicate in the classroom, February 12, 2002, I CAN central office; Dyspraxia: working together towards effective practice, October 15 and February 11, 2002, London Voluntary Resource Centre. Training Administrator, I CAN Training, 4 Dyer’s Buildings, Holborn, London EC1N 2QP. Tel: 0870 010 7088. E-mail: training@ican.org Web: www.ican.org.uk
Fionna Duncan is offering vocal jazz workshops for all levels, July 29-August 3, at the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival. The location is the Ian Tomlin School of Music, Napier University, Craighouse Campus. Tutors will include the singer and educator Sheila Jordan. Fee: pound;300; pound;200 concessions (includes jazz festival tickets) or pound;200; pound;150 concessions (does not include individual tuition and tickets). Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshops, co Alba Arts, 3 Preston Cottages, Preston Road, East Linton EH40 3DS. Telfax 01620 861000. E-mail: Jazz@cathierae.prestel.co.uk or admin@fionnaduncan-workshops.co.uk Web: www.fionnaduncan-workshops.co.uk
The training provider, Stands for Education, is running these courses in the autumn: How to manage effective whole school implementation of the revised code of practice for special educational needs, November 12 (Leeds), November 13 and 20 (London), November 19 (Birmingham); How to manage and develop a strong team of teaching assistants, November 8 and 27 (London); November 14 (Leeds), November 15 (Birmingham). The outcomes of government research will be explained and applied. Fee per course: pound;195 plus VAT.
SfE is also running a national conference for teaching assistants. Called Developing Your Essential Role, its programme includes workshops covering a wide range of issues frequently encountered in schools. It will be held in LeedsBradford, November 7, and in London, December 4. Learning support assistants, teaching assistants and special needs assistants are welcome. Fee: pound;195 plus VAT. Stands for Education, 1 Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8RR. E-mail: mail@sfe.co.ukWeb: www.sfe.co.uk
