Gold Medals, the Paralympics and Apprenticeships

I was fortunate to go to both the Olympics and Paralympics, and given their amazing success, I've been wondering what impact they might have on Hertfordshire PASS. What encouraged me greatly was that Gold Medals are Gold Medals whether Olympic, or Paralympic. In the work that we do / aspire to do, 'achieving an apprenticeship' is comparable to winning the Gold Medal, however at present only the able bodied can 'win'. Given what we've seen and marvelled at in both the Olympics and Paralympics, why can't there be two different routes to the same Gold Medal end - applied to 'achieving an apprenticeship'?

(The above represents the personal views of Nigel Fenner following discussions with Margaret Martin who is currently engaged in independently evaluating Hertfordshire PASS's pilot 'apprenticeship' in being an employer of PAs / carers. These views are not necessarily those of Hertfordshire PASS.)

Margaret's response:
Thanks Nigel, that was an interesting discussion in the light of our visits to the Paralympics and watching Arthur (Hertfordshire PASS Trustee) do the torch relay. The other correlation with the Paralympics is that the route to the same medals is not an inferior or lesser route, it’s a different one. In fact you could argue that it’s a tougher one in many respects for those involved and for those who support them. There is an important parallel with the current deliberations about the apprenticeship framework for disabled people in employing their own care staff. Some in policy and tertiary education suggest that it is best to go down the “exceptions” route within the current apprenticeships programme. I think that this would be similar to saying that Paralympians are unable to follow the Olympian “route” so had to be given their own route on this basis. No, it is different, and should be recognised as a route in its own right – otherwise the status of disabled people who want to employ their own care staff in the apprenticeship programme would be as “exceptions to the rule”.
I know these are tricky negotiations, and a way forward needs to be found even if it means compromise and flexibility on both sides. It does feel to me that there is a principle at the bottom of this debate which we should not shy away from. As Hanna said at the National Steering Group meeting in August, “as soon as you put the word disabled in front of somebody everything becomes ten times harder!” It’s a good time to raise this whilst the Paralympics are fresh in people’s minds. The word “para” in Paralympics means “alongside” (Greek) – maybe that’s an indication of what is being sought by Hertfordshire PASS in the apprenticeship programme.
(As with Nigel’s Blog, these are my thoughts and not necessarily those of Hertfordshire PASS. Margaret.)