communication support person - anyone?

tgTg

Hi @Rosie -

I have a hearing scheduled in two weeks - it is something that I initiated and not something that I am being brought to court for. I am now trying to accommodate by disability needs as the court itself has gone completely silent on the topic of my 'reasonable adjustments'. I would ordinarily arrange a video-call, though here the tribunal has gone silent on my request for 'reasonable adjustments' so it is very tough to say what the hearing format is and what to expect. i do not like unclearly structured situations like this ☹️

I understand that there are intermediary services provided by HMCTS - though I do not want to engage with any assessment, have not control over the person that joins me, or risk having someone inexperienced or plain bad fit with me joining me for a hearing that I need to focus for

Do you know about any organisations that enable the hiring of intermediary communication support workers, notably someone who is patient and able to listen patiently during a hearing?

For your understanding, I am a public interest caseworker and (recently) also became a litigator in tribunals and courts. All my past hearings have been excellently accommodated as video-calls though this particular tribunal is making a mess of my rights in this case and remaining silent on basic disability-related requests this late in the day before a hearing date. So : I am having to make a back-up plan 📆 if I am forced to attend in-person 🤮 (another easily avoidable day of vomiting, loss of sensory perception and a bad tummy)

thanks very much 👍 -

Tgtg

Rosie_Scope

Hi @tgTg, sorry to hear the court haven't been helpful with adjustments.

I'm afraid I'm not too sure where you could find someone like that. Could you perhaps look into advocacy services? They may be able to help you get your point across clearly. I'm not sure how quickly they'll be able to take a case but it may be worth looking into. Here are a few links that might be helpful, but you might also need to search for local services:

https://www.pohwer.net/

https://www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk/

https://www.voiceability.org/

Support Through Court have a helpline and email address. From what I understand, they don't offer communication support or attend hearings with you, but they may be able to advise you on where you could find someone who can: https://supportthroughcourt.org/locations/national-helpline/

If there are any specific charities for your disability or conditions, they may know where to get some further support with your hearing too.

Sorry that I can't be of more help, but I hope you find what you need soon.

tgTg

thanks very much, @Rosie_Scope : this is really helpful 👍

i'd like to share some information about my work if you're interested :

one of the cases that i am currently litigating myself at the Administrative Court (High Court) regards certain (unsupported, harmful and easily manipulable) narratives that have been applied to push through the recent proposed disability welfare reforms for nearly two years. proceedings are at an early stage - involving myself, the Government Legal Department and the Office for Budget Responsibility. I have purposefully not added the DWP at this stage : I intend to add it to my litigation file when the facts of this particular case are established

**easy read summary** : attached

**briefing video (for public)** : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/timandeep-singh-gill-a016083_officeforbudgetresponsibility-sensitivegovernmentpolicy-activity-7398207635612782592-LDSh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACfs6EB2kqap3Uqu_g8Tpx3r9nbAXJKEw0

👍 - tgTg

easy read _ false and misleading narratives (1).pdf