On 20 March the Representative Body Co Chairs Wendy, Jordan and Scott wrote to the Prime Minister and Matt Hancock.

In their letter they told the Prime Minister about how concerned members are about the Coronavirus Act and the suspension of Care Act duties.

They told the Prime Minister and Matt Hancock about their worries about the negative impact it could have on people with disabilities.

Here is the letter the Rep Body Co Chairs sent

Here is the reply from Helen Whateley, the Minister for Care (dated 10 August).

Read more → “Coronavirus Act: the reply from Helen Whateley, Minister for Care”

Guest blog by Collette, a self advocate who is a qualified Mental Health First Aider.

 

 

Read more → “Mental Health: Strength over Adversity”

VLOG (video blog) by Gary Bourlet, Membership and Engagement Lead with Roy Hayes, self advocate

 

In his latest VLOG, Gary looks at the local lockdown measures that are now in place across Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire.

Gary explores what you can and can’t do under local lockdown, and interviews Roy Hayes from Lead the Way self advocacy group in Calderdale to find out what life is really like.

You can watch the VLOG here

Blog by Gary Bourlet, self advocate and Membership and Engagement Lead for Learning Disability England

 

Read the easy read version here

Listen to the audio recording here

I think it is quite clear there is a lack of understanding from ministers and government officials about accessible information and the importance of it for so many people.

People with learning disabilities and/or autism need guidance about face coverings, DNR, Covid 19 testing, Shielding, Vaccine etc.

They rely on it just like the rest of us, but often need it in an easy read format.

Read more → “In a world where guidance is changing daily, where is the accessible information?”

   

Our new Covid Response Funding  grant pot in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care is now open for applications.

It is aimed at self-advocacy organisations and family carer organisations.

Each organisation can apply for up to £5,000.

Read the easy read funding criteria to see if you are eligible to apply

Read more → “Our COVID 19 grant pot is now OPEN”

Sue Sharples has used a Winston Churchill Memorial Fund grant to travel to the USA and Canada to help us all to learn their lessons around preventing abuse and promoting sexual health for people with learning disabilities.

Sue’s research had found that people with a learning disability in England are four times more likely to be sexually abused than other citizens.

Read more → “Love Care:fully – sexual safety for adults with a learning disability”

       

 

 

We know things are happening quickly as we move out of lockdown.

 

 

 

We know it can be hard to find up to date and accessible information you can trust.

 

 

 

So thanks to some money from DHSC we’ve updated our Coronavirus Hub.

 

 

Read more → “We’ve updated our Coronavirus Hub!”

The Accessible Information Campaign is a campaign to make information more accessible for everyone.

They want to press the government to act on its promises about making information accessible.

 

It is led by self advocate campaigners.

They are worried because there has not been enough accessible information shared by the government, especially during the Covid 19 outbreak.

Read more → “Accessible Information Campaign”

Kaliya Franklin is a well known disability rights campaigner who worked for LDE between April 2014 and May 2019.

Kaliya helped to found Learning Disability England.

Kaliya has been asked by IPPR to join their advisory board to help make sure that the work they are doing on social security includes disabled people.

Read more → “Think Tank Advisory group”

 

Blog by Wendy Burt, Representative Body Co Chair – Family and Friends, and Paula Strike

 

I have 2 amazing sons who both happen to have a learning disability, I have been so thankful during this pandemic that they still live at home with my husband and I, we haven’t had to be separated and unable to see each other as many families who have loved ones in supported living or residential care have found themselves.

The thought of not being able to physically see my sons for 3 months would have been an incredibly difficult challenge for me,  it’s so good to hear that as the lockdown is easing families have been able to spend time with their loved ones again.

Read more → “‘No furlough breaks, no time to spring clean or bake cakes.’ Life in Lockdown – a Family Carer’s Voice”