Following my morning advice surgery at Wood Green Library, I went to the launch of the Renate Campbell Trust Deaf Job Club at the Winkfield Resource Centre. In short – this will be a facility, for the deaf and hard of hearing, where staff will be there to help them into work. This might comprise support in putting a CV together or learning skills – as well as educating employers and providing training awareness for staff.

Renate is the daughter of former Labour councillor Mary Neuner, who in middle life literally woke up one morning deaf. Mary worked tirelessly to improve things for the deaf and this launch today is on the back of her efforts. Mary was a real driving force and it is terribly sad that she, herself, died only recently. At least she knew that this was going to happen.

It is one of those things in life, you know. Most people don’t even know someone who is deaf. Most people don’t know someone in a wheelchair. And what people don’t have in their own lives appears as strange and alien. And I am sure that employers or would be employers think that deaf people won’t be able to do the job or it will cost them to have one working for them. And yet – if it is your mother or brother who is deaf, or blind or in a wheelchair or whatever – then they are just people – same as you or me. I have this total belief in a better world where the differences are as nothing compared to what we have in common. And that cuts across not just disability – but culture, race and religion too!