Stronger, Louder, Together!
Today Learning Disability England has joined with 22 other organisations to send a Joint Statement to Matt Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care) Nadhim Zahawi (Under Secretary of State for Vaccine Rollout) and Simon Stevens (NHS CEO).
Wordless stories to help children returning to school from Books Beyond Words – easy read.
Schools re-opening: information relevant to children and young people with severe learning disabilities – an information sheet from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
Recovery, Re-introduction and Renewal: Safe and Successful Returns to School – a handbook from Whole School SEND designed to help schools and education settings through Covid-19 and beyond.
Mencap have published easy read guides about:
Coronavirus resource hub including audio and video resources, and a weekly news update, from Inclusion North.
Guest Blog from Angela Catley, Director of Development at Community Catalysts
This blog contributes to the #SocialCareFuture debate.
The Chief Medical Officers from across the UK have said that adults who have Down’s syndrome are to be added to the group of people who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable. This means that they have been classed as at higher risk for coronavirus.
People who are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group are advised to be extra careful in protecting themselves.
You can read more about the decision and what it means in this information from NHS England and the government by clicking here
The Easy read of the information on what this means is here
You can see some questions and answers on what it means to be clinically extremely vulnerable here
GPs will be getting in touch with patients who have Downs Syndrome over the next few weeks. They will talk to people about what this means for them.
There is an easy read letter that GPs will send to people. There is a copy of that letter here
You can read the letter that was sent to GPs telling them what to do here – read the letter.
If you do not hear from your GP in the next few weeks you should get in touch with them.
The Government will also be writing to care providers and letting them know what they will need to do. You can read that letter here.
From Thursday all people who are extremely clinically vulnerable are being advised to take extra care. This was called shielding
You can read about that government advice and what you might do if you are extremely clinically vulnerable here
The Downs Syndrome Association have information and resources for people with Down Syndrome and their families on their website here
These include
Sam’s video explaining what it means to be extremely clinically vulnerable
3 guides on
Supporting me to make a decision: a quick guide
They are also hosting a free seminar on Thursday (5 November) Supporting you to make decisions.
A face covering is something which covers your nose and mouth. It doesn’t have to be a mask. It can be anything that covers your nose and mouth.
Some people do not have symptoms so they can spread Coronavirus without knowing.
Face coverings are to stop you from accidentally spreading the virus.
The government has made new rules about wearing face coverings in public places to help protect people from Coronavirus.
Some people do not have to wear a face covering for health reasons.
Read the full government guidance about face coverings.
This includes when you have to wear a face covering and who is exempt for health reasons.
It also tells you how to make your own face covering.
Here is the government exemption card for you to upload on your mobile phone
Here is the government exemption card for you to print
Easy read on some of the rules that have changed – by Mencap. Talks about the 6 people rule, your support bubble and going out and about.
Updated Guidance around social distancing and meeting with others – You must follow this guidance from Monday 14th September.
Social distancing is to try and stop the virus spreading to other people.
The government says we should stay two metres (three steps) apart from people we don’t live in the same house with.
We should also take other measures like washing our hands and covering our faces.
The guidance is still important even though we are now moving out of lockdown.
Staying alert and safe – social distancing guidance (Updated 31 July 2020).
This tells you about the new rules on social distancing indoors and outdoors.
This tells you about the new rules on social distancing when you are spending time with people you don’t live with.
Guidance about funerals during Coronavirus from Public Health England.
The government have not yet published easy read information about the new rules on social distancing.
We will update this page when they do.
In the meantime you can see other resources about social distancing and the new rules here
The government says that people who think they might have the virus or have some of the symptoms need to stay at home for 7 days.
Anyone who has been in close contact with a person who tests positive for Coronavirus needs to stay at home for 14 days.
This is called self-isolation.
You might get a phone call from test and trace if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus.
Easy read guidance for people who need to self-isolate
Public Health England have made a useful poster about self isolation.
This is useful if you think you might have the virus or if you have have been in contact with someone else who has symptoms of Coronavirus.
This is guidance for people who think they might have the virus or have some of the symptoms. It is also for people who have been in direct contact with someone with coronavirus.
Government guidance for people who need to self isolate
Easy Read posters from Photosymbols on the latest guidance including testing and shielding.
Easy read information on face coverings made by Mencap
Social Story on why people are wearing masks
Public Health England have made a useful poster about self isolation if you think you might have the virus or have been in contact with someone else who has symptoms of coronavirus. You can see this below:
In March, everybody in England and Wales will be asked to take part in Census 2021.
The census is run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Everyone will get a letter inviting them to take part in early March.
The Coronavirus situation keeps changing all the time. On this page you will find older guidance documents which are now out of date. But you might still find them useful.
NHS services access during Coronavirus guidance – full and easy readversions.
NHS guidance about discharge from hospital during Covid 19.
The Office for National Statistics published Coronavirus (COVID-19) related mortality by religion, ethnicity and disability: England and Wales, 2 March 2020 to 15 May
Government guidance about staying home
Government guidance for social care including guidance on residential, supported living and home care settings.
