During September I took part biggest participation I have been involved with. This is related to planned changes to how his abilities access benefits towards employment. I have attended a consultation meeting and have developed two publications providing guidance and suggestions. This is due to the proposed government bill by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which could not only affect the benefit they receive but also access more people with disabilities into employment. My role is to make sure considerations are made towards neurodivergent (including Hidden Differences) and not face a generalised approach and procedures. This is made with an objective approach related to access disabilities into employment. My role is to represent neurodiversity including those with hidden differences. Consultation meeting I have attended a consultation meeting in Birmingham arranged by the Department for Work & Pensions. The proposal document was used to develop a group of discussion tables. My input was addressing the bigger picture including the challenges that boundaries and important points to consider without making this all variety of disabilities are not a disadvantage. Response publications From the proposal documents by the Department for Work and Pensions, I have developed a series of publications with analysis. The initial version which included personal experiences his were shared two the DWP team at the consultation meeting. Two versions were made including a general analysis from the easy read person of the proposal documents with the second document providing a direct response linked to the proposal document questions. After suggestions from the DWP staff, a general public version of the two analysis and response documents was made. (The public version does not include my personal experiences). Some of the suggestions include embracing disability and neurodiversity in the same way that other diverse members of Society are approached. A suggestion of stronger joined-up thinking to make sure all disabilities including neurodiverse are not a disadvantage when visible in Society. Embracing ambitious people who are talented and have many positive qualities. Also to widen the overall approach including supporting disabilities to start businesses and to access education and training based on their talent. The featured publications are now available to view online Select the link below. Please note the personal verson of the consultation response documents is not available to the general public and is restricted to staff policies and leaders related to the government and the Department for Work and Pensions. Click here for more on other participation projects Notice to editors
Plus Value Awareness The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision The words hidden differences describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not obviously noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions. (including a mild form of Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Social Anxiety). Keith Mckenzie With a background in Art and design (including Graphic Design and digital art) and a participant in the music film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for nearly 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating in a major salsa dancing convention at Birmingham NEC
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Throughout the spring months and during July of 2023, I have attended a series of events, meeting community participation, conferences, and seminars. It is the first time in 5 years that I have attended these and similar meetings & events. The type of events & meetings covers particular subjects in categories or to say and participate by insight on particular experiences ready to disability and transport safety. In addition, I became an awareness panel for the first time linked with a particular awareness topic. The events meetings and community events took place between March and June 2023. These subjects and categories such as neurodiversity, transport, business and the design industry EVENTS & NETWORKING At these events I attended several presentation talks from key influencers which everyone needs to consider or a presentation of their insights enables them to inspire others. Opportunity to network and have conversations with some of the people attending or hosting a presentation. Health & Wellbeing at Work I focused on the neurodiversity component of the events related to education, voices from expert professionals, influential people and lived experiences including from Dr. Nancy Doyle and Tumi Dyslexia Show Seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Dyslexia and Neurodiversity. Disability in the Workplace Summer Conference A series of workshops, presentations, panel discussions and live performances focusing on embracing disability with working opportunities in employment and business. This event is ahead of Disability Pride Month in July. Autism Show Seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Autism and Neurodiversity. It's great up north A special event from the makers of Birmingham Design Festival focusing on presentations for key designers from the North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, the North East and the English Borders Birmingham Design Festival & Conference The two-day event includes workshops, panellist discussions & presentations for some world's finest designers from around the world ranging from Europe, the USA and Australia. Birmingham City University Degree show After attending Birmingham Design Festival, I was invited to the Art and Design degree shows displaying projects from students from Fine Art, Architecture, Product Design, interiors, Fashion, Graphic Communication and Photography. UK Black Business Show The first business related event I have attended in five years with a combination of networking and seeking advice. The other reason I've attended is to see live in person a special keynote guest with Sir Trevor McDonald OBE PARTICIPATION Opportunity to share personal insights and experience related to neurodiversity, disabilities and transport safety. I was invited to take part by attending the meetings and events include Levelling Up and Disability in the West Mids: Event Organised by West Midlands Combined Authority at Sense offices in South Birmingham. I was involed with a community participation event involves a different representative of various organisations in the community and from Public Authorities in the region. Transport Heath & Safety meeting headquarters of transport for West Midlands Through the back end of the previous year's Commonwealth games, I was invited to a meeting to address issues on the challenges of navigating through public transport and the safety challenges for different patient levels, attitudes and judgments from passengers and staff on public transport. EVENT PANELIST For the first time, I became a panellist at a study event focusing on research related to autism awareness. This was part of the University of Birmingham's study event. Involvement sharing my experiences & challenges when involved in research and Developing projects and information for ky awareness initiative Plus Value Awareness University of Birmingham: School of Education participation panel The intention is to gain stronger connections and spread the word on developments of what I have been involved with related to design, awareness of disability and transport matters. Explore further For discover more information of my experences when attending some of the events and meeting featurted in the article select the KMC Life blog insight links below Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games. |
AuthorDesigner (graphic design & photography) A participant of king of the beats. Developed awareness project for invisible difficulties Archives
April 2024
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