During September the project director of Plus Value Awareness, Keith Mckenzie took part in the biggest participation ever involved with.
This is related to planned changes to how his abilities access benefits towards employment.
Keith has attended a consultation meeting and has 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.
The project director’s 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.
Also to represent neurodiversity including those with hidden differences.
Consultation meeting
Keith has 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. The project director’s 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, Keith has developed a series of publications with analysis. The initial version which included personal experiences and shared with 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 and download via the project director’s
Click here to the Keith Mckenzie website
Please note the personal version 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 to Plus Value Awareness main website
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 at Birmingham’s NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London’s ManboCity.
In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games
Plus Value Awareness Update blog 