Kanchi Brings Dialogue in the Dark to Dublin

Dialogue in the Dark is a series of eye-opening business leadership workshops with a twist.  They are held completely in the dark and facilitated by blind trainers.  With the support of O2 Ireland, Kanchi is set to bring these innovative workshops to Ireland for the first time June 8th – 12th.

Aimed at senior managers and boards of directors, these workshops mean to improve participant’s ability to communicate, cooperate and lead in an unfamiliar environment.  As Dialogue in the Dark explains it, spending time immersed in darkness while dependent on blind leaders brings about a change of perspective, which can be transferred to the context of work.  For Kanchi, it is a unique opportunity for Irish business leaders to gain a greater insight into the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Dialogue in the Dark International is the brain child of social entrepreneur, Andreas Heinecke.   He has taken this concept around the world.  To date over 5 million people in 22 different countries have participated in the workshops.  Watch the video below to see what attendees of the World Economic Forum in Davos thought.

• Posted:29 May 2009 at 10:11 am

Kanchi Welcomes New Chairman

Kanchi is happy to announce the appointment of Paddy Teahon as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

Paddy is currently a Director of Teahon Consulting Ltd, which advises a number of Irish and multinational companies.  He is a Non-Executive Director of Treasury Holdings and has almost four decades of experience in the Irish Civil Service, having worked for seven years as Head of the Department of the Taoiseach from 1993-2000.

“We’re delighted to welcome Paddy to the team at Kanchi and are thrilled to have him as the new Chair of the Kanchi Board. He brings with him a wealth of experience from government and the private sector and we know that Kanchi will benefit greatly from his involvement.” - Gaby Murphy, MD

• Posted:26 May 2009 at 12:48 pm

Henry Winkler to Hank Zipzer

This Sunday, Dublin will be paid a visit by Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonze”.  The star of popular 1970’s American sitcom Happy Days will be available for autographs, but not for his former role as Mr. Cool.  Winkler will be at Eason bookstore to sign copies of his children’s book Hank Zipzer: Help! Someone Get Me Out of the First Grade. Part of a series entitled “Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever”, Winkler’s books tell of Hank’s everyday adventures as a boy with dyslexia.  Watch the video below to learn how Winkler modelled Hank after his onw experience as a boy with a learning disability.

“Just because we learn differently, does not mean we are not incredibly smart human beings” – Henry Winkler

• Posted:22 May 2009 at 12:54 pm

Two Months in Snowy Nova Scotia

Have you ever experienced two months alone in the wild?  Secluded from markets, people, blogs, television and reliable phone access?  Canadian writer Sacha Vais braved this thought last year. Armed with a hunting knife and his dog, Walden, Sacha set off for a two month solo retreat in Nova Scotia.

To hear more about Sacha’s adventure, read part one of The Wandering Agoraphobe’s Wilderness Experiment article series on BBC Ouch!

• Posted:20 May 2009 at 12:23 pm

Arts and Disability Awards

Each year, Irish artists who are disabled have two chances to apply for an Arts and Disability Award.  One such chance will close this Monday, May 18th.  Applicants stand to gain as much as €6,050 to support development of new work and increase their skills.  Open to all art forms, these Awards aim to challenge and inspire creativity, experimentation and artistic excellence.  Learn more about the Arts and Disability Awards, including a second opportunity to apply in November.

The Awards are the result of a partnership between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaìon and the Arts & Disability Forum.

• Posted:15 May 2009 at 10:22 am

Caroline Casey Attends Dead Sea Summit

Close to 200 Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum have gathered together in Jordon for the Dead Sea Summit.  From May 13th – 17th, Jordan will be plus one Dubliner, Caroline Casey.  The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of leaders from all corners of the world.  Each leader has established experience in innovative leadership and is committed to shaping the global future.

“Leadership in Tough Times – Cooperation in Tough Times” is the theme with discussions focused on the current global crisis.  The Summit provides a space for intense interaction between leaders, enabling them to gain insight, kick-start solutions and return to their organisations energised to lead in demanding times.

• Posted:14 May 2009 at 11:23 am

Nurses Working With a Disability

Nurses with disabilities tell their story in, Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities.  Author Dr. Maheady offers readers the unique chance to realise the possibility and value behind holding onto your passion and purpose. 

The first chapter lays out the essential legal knowledge. Following are eleven autobiographical chapters from nurses working with disabilities, including Bipolar Disorder, Visual Impairment, Hearing Loss and Spinal Bifida.  Their stories answer the question “How?” and give light to the preconceptions overcome with humour and compassion.  In conclusion, Dr. Maheady gives practical applications and advice which can be applied to all forms of employment with a disability. 

Visit Amazon.com to take a peek inside Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities.

• Posted:13 May 2009 at 11:33 am

Hands On

Hands On is an online magazine programme for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Ireland.  Broadcasted every Sunday on RTE ONE, Hands On is also a great resource to learn about issues surrounding this community.

Here’s a link to last Sunday’s programme along with previous episodes.

• Posted:11 May 2009 at 04:49 pm

Brazil’s International Disability Film Festival

Brazil’s 4th annual international disability film festival will kick off this August in Rio de Janeiro. The aim of this festival is to “promote and encourage new ways of seeing special needs and disabilities”.

Films of any duration are accepted and submission is free. Closing date for applications is this Monday, May 11th.

• Posted:07 May 2009 at 04:41 pm

Follow the Yellow Footprints

If you find yourself in Wicklow Town, curious markings may catch your eye.  Bright yellow footprints have been painted on footpaths across town to raise awareness around access issues faced by people with disabilities.  One aim is to remind motorists that parking on footpaths obstructs access not only for people with disabilities but for penetrations in general.  So take care when parking or you may find a yellow warning sticker on your car.

The ones behind this initiative are East Gelndalaugh Schools’s Young Social Innovators.  Young Social Innovators is Ireland’s leading social awareness and active citizenship education programme.  YSI gives students aged 15-18 the education and support to improve their community.  Projects are youth led, team based and action focused.

YSI’s Annual Showcase will take place tomorrow, May 6th at the RDS in Dublin.  Open to the public, over 6,000 young leaders will attend workshops and present their own projects.

Can’t attend?  Visit YSI’s website to learn more about innovative projects showcased, including projects that address the challenge “Making Our World More Inclusive”.

• Posted:05 May 2009 at 11:53 am