Hope and Solidarity: 15 years On 

It is 15 years since the TV programme that showed the abuse and bad treatment of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View.

Since then, there has been a government plan but still not enough has changed.

Many people with learning disabilities, families and staff have worked to try to change things.

Learning disability England supports there good work and will carry on speaking up with them for change so people live good lives.

Read more  “Hope and Solidarity: 15 years On “

Supporting People Leaving Long-Stay Hospitals and The Role of Peer Advocacy

As we approach the 15th anniversary of the BBC Panorama investigation that exposed abuse at Winterbourne View, self-advocate Steven Chapman reflects on his work challenging institutionalisation and the role peer advocacy plays in supporting people to leave long-stay hospitals.

His work is just one example of the determination and leadership shown by people with learning disabilities, families and allies over the past 15 years to fight for people’s rights to live safe, good lives in their communities.

Read more  “Supporting People Leaving Long-Stay Hospitals and The Role of Peer Advocacy”

Project Co-ordinator Position: Tackling Cancer Care Inequalities for People with a Learning Disability

Learning Disability England is recruiting a Project Co-Ordinator. 
 

The Project Co-Ordinator will join the team on a 2-year basis to manage a grant funded project. This is an important project, and the role will lead Learning Disability England’s contribution to tackling unfairness in cancer care for people with a learning disability from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. 

The postholder will work closely with people with learning disabilities, families and health and social care partners to deliver this project.  

The job is part-time, working 22.5 hours per week. It is a home-based role with some travel expected. The salary for the job is £32,000 – £35,000 full time (£19,200 – £21,000 for this role). 

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented in our organisation.   

Read more  “Project Co-ordinator Position: Tackling Cancer Care Inequalities for People with a Learning Disability”

Are Migraines Being Missed in People with Learning Disabilities?

In this blog, Lorna Rouse, researcher from The Open University, speaks about migraine in people with learning disabilities. She shares what she has learned and invites people to take part in a survey to help plan future research.

I am a researcher interested in healthcare for people with learning disabilities and I have lived with migraine since the age of 5.

So I was intrigued to find this presentation about migraine in people with learning disabilities:

Migraines in people with learning disabilities.

Read more  “Are Migraines Being Missed in People with Learning Disabilities?”

Acts of Hope for Good Lives

Gary Bourlet, Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England, shares why he believes hope is important if we want good lives for all people with learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities, and their families, have spent a long time fighting for their basic rights. 

Lots of people are still fighting. There are still difficult and unfair things happening to people with learning disabilities. 

Read more  “Acts of Hope for Good Lives”

Paradigm gifts its work to Learning Disability England to strengthen national voice and impact

Click here to read this statement in easy-read

Paradigm and Learning Disability England (LDE) are pleased to announce an important development in our shared commitment to ensuring that people with learning disabilities and their families are valued, included and able to live good lives.  

Paradigm has made the strategic decision to gift its body of work, resources, and learning to Learning Disability England, after more than two decades of pioneering person-centred development, co-production, and community‑led innovation including the development of the Reach Standards.

Read more  “Paradigm gifts its work to Learning Disability England to strengthen national voice and impact”

My Reviews of ‘The Assembly’: Bold Questions and Honest Conversations

The Assembly is an interview show on ITV where well-known celebrities are questioned by a group of autistic and neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities.

Last year Simon Cramp, Self-advocate, Campaigner and Lifetime Member of Learning Disability England, reviewed the first series.

Read series one review

Read more  “My Reviews of ‘The Assembly’: Bold Questions and Honest Conversations”

“It won’t fix everything, but I think it’s a big step towards making healthcare work better for people with learning disabilities.”

In his latest blog, Gary Bourlet – Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England, talks about recent changes to the reasonable adjustment digital flag and the impact that this will have on his own and other people with learning disabilities experience of healthcare.

The Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag is a national NHS record that shows what support someone needs.

It means that when you are referred to a service or arrive for an appointment, staff like receptionists, nurses or doctors can see your reasonable adjustments straight away.

This is now becoming mandatory across the NHS, which is an important step forward.

Reasonable adjustments are really important because they help people get equal access to healthcare.

Read more  ““It won’t fix everything, but I think it’s a big step towards making healthcare work better for people with learning disabilities.””