Accessible Information and Communication People First Scotland Parents
Accessible Information and Communication People First (Scotland) Parents’ Group Edinburgh Local Area Coordination Parenting Project
People First Parents’ Group
What is a learning disability? People with learning disabilities have a significant lifelong condition that started before adulthood, which affects their development and which means they need help to: • Understand information • Learn skills • Cope independently About 16, 000 school age children in Scotland 26, 000 adults. Identification issues Keys to Life, Scottish Government 2013
How a learning disability might affect parents People might find it difficult to understand • Complex language including reports • Concepts of time and distance (half a mile or in a couple of weeks) and have difficulty • Expressing themselves (in a meeting or discussion) • Following a conversation (fast or unfamiliar language or mumbling)
And might need support • Finding their way around new places • Planning and prioritising (household tasks, cooking etc) • Understanding processes (referrals etc) • Concentrating • Retaining new information (remembering workers names and roles) • Answering quickly
Verbal information • Simple words, no jargon • Break it down into manageable chunks • Show not tell • You may need to show someone several times until they have got it • Memory aids – checklist, calendar, text
Easy Read Information • Short sentences • Easy words – no jargon • Well spaced out • Large print and clear font • Pictures – photos or drawings
Stories • Zoe and John’s story • Experiences of parents with learning difficulties
Experiences of parents with learning difficulties • Fear • Assumptions • Information not in accessible formats • Not understanding what’s going on • No ongoing support • Not enough support • Not right sort of support • Judged
We need support that is: • • Right from the start Flexible Ongoing In our own home: hands on and one to one • From someone we trust • From someone with experience in supporting people with learning difficulties It needs to include: • Accessible information • Independent advocacy • Emotional support
Support • Training • Ongoing support with things like: – Morning routines – Getting ready for school or nursery – Washing and brushing teeth – Healthy eating – Play and interaction – Homework
Support (cont. ) – Going out to clubs and other activities – Finding your way to new places – Letters and forms – Appointments – Going to meetings with you – Sorting out clothes – Behaviour and boundaries – Bedtime routines
CHANGE resources • Easy read alternatives to Ready Steady Baby and Ready Steady Toddler given out by NHS Health Scotland through midwives and health visitors • Parents often still don’t get these
And to finish. . . sometimes it works out well
Contact details People First (Scotland) Jane Lewis jane. lewisp 1 st@btconnect. com 0131 4787707 www. peoplefirstscotland. org
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