Blog from Emma Smith, Policy Lead at Learning Disability England.

It is really important to look after yourself and others this winter.

Some people are worried about energy.

Not just about how much it costs but also what to do if there is a shortage or no power at all.  

As you may know, the government wants to replace The Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights.

This has raised some concerns for me and our members about how our human rights will be affected if this happens. 

The Human Rights Act 1998 was passed with cross-party support by parliament; it does not belong to any one particular political party. 

Our Human Rights Act takes 16 of the human rights in the European Convention on Human Rights and pulls them down into our law here at home. 

It’s so important that we safeguard our human rights, and nothing is left out.

We already had The Disability Discrimination Act disappear in 2010.

I am very concerned about people with learning disabilities and autistic people’s rights being watered down further with the introduction of The Bill of Rights.

People have told us that employment and contribution are one of the most important things that help them to be able to lead a good life.

Chapter 6 of Good Lives: Building Change Together brings together people’s thoughts and ideas about employment and contribution as part of what it will take for everyone with learning disabilities to be able to live their good life.

As Gary Bourlet, self advocate and 1 of the Membership and Engagement Leads said, “It is part of what makes us human.”

Gary decided to speak to some members about why it is important to them.

And to hear about some of the different ways people choose to contribute.

Last Thursday was World Sight Day.

This guest blog is by SeeAbility’s eye care champion team, Lance Campbell, Joanne Kennedy, Rebecca Lunness, Grace McGill.

We are eye care champions.

We are four people with learning disabilities, autism or sight loss.

Everyone with a learning disability needs good eye care.

The cost of living crisis has not just been affecting individual members and their families.

Businesses, including support providers, have also been facing an increase in bills and costs when budgets are already tight.

Paid supporter members have been talking about the impact of the financial pressures they are under.

And the things they are doing to help make Good Lives, and particularly the chapter on the Right Support, a reality in difficult times.

Do you have a learning disability?

Are you from a minority ethnic background?

Would you like to take part in some work to help make care better for people from minority ethnic groups with a learning disability?