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In brief

In brief

A question of success –and how to achieve it What does success mean to people with learning disabilities? A recent LDN London event Spotlight On focused on this question. The event at the London Canal Museum, introduced by Community Living writer Simon Jarrett and chaired by editor Saba Salman, heard from five people about their

Carers pursued for cash

Welfare rights

How could a benefit worth little more than £80 a week end up being overpaid by £5,000 or more? And why is this getting worse? Charlie Callanan looks at the scandal around carer’s allowance

‘We need a learning disability act with enforceable policies, monitored by experts by experience’

Features Law

The new government must bring in legislation with teeth, overseen by those most affected, to close the widening life expectancy gap between those with and without learning disabilities, says Jim Blair

United in our profession

Features

A call on social media to bring student learning disability nurses together has grown into a movement and a thriving community. Saba Salman talks to Positive Choices founder Helen Laverty

Comfort at clinic

Features

GPs are showing they are being learning disability friendly so they can improve patients’ wellbeing and take-up of health checks. Saba Salman reports

Reading with pictures

Interviews

Katie Smith became chief executive of Beyond Words after seeing how the picture books allowed people to make decisions and talk about what they wanted to discuss. Seán Kelly meets her

The trauma of carers

Features

Parents and carers of disabled children can experience trauma for any number of reasons and this can manifest in several ways. A working group is here to help, says Joanna Griffin

Inquests: learning from deaths

Law

Inquests are held in coroner’s courts and can look into the circumstances around a death. Our new court reporter, George Julian, discusses inquests and how she became involved in them

Mary O’Hara: having laws in place hasn’t stopped the scandals

Opinion

We can celebrate anniversaries of equality legislation – but must never be complacent as these laws by themselves do not prevent discrimination or abuse

Shalim Ali: I love going on holiday – others should have that freedom

Opinion

Society is too risk averse so people may not get the choice to do what they want – whether this means feeling at home while doing your own ironing or going on holiday abroad

Cave in the community

Features

An archaeological discovery suggests a Neanderthal child with Down syndrome was cared for. But we must be wary of comparing ourselves to distant ancestors, says Simon Jarrett

Teachers fear online risks in learning, and theory should be understood

Research

Educator concerns and lack of knowledge may limit the use of technology in the classroom, and people ought to comprehend the theory behind issues that affect them, says Juliet Diener

Chris Hatton: we have the evidence – let’s see action on doing research

Opinion

We know people should be involved in research that affects them and studies show there's no good reason to exclude them. So why aren't those funding and organising research taking note?

The best of friends

Features

‘I’ve never looked back,’ says a member of a friendship club. Hazel Morgan tells the social club’s story, how it has made people confident – and led to a newspaper column and a cat book

Rising star in space show

Arts

Scientific items have inspired Clifton Wright’s artworks in a heavenly exhibition. Simon Jarrett celebrates an up-and-coming artist – and finds out why his portraits can seem disturbing

‘I have learned that most people are just waiting for a chance to be nice. We don’t read about this much’

Books

The people and conditions around a disabled child affect almost everything and, while abuse has to be tackled, there is an ocean of goodwill out there, says Virginia Bovell

Own eyes, own words

History

US anthropologist Robert B Edgerton was struck by the lack of testimonies of people with learning disabilities who had become independent – so put this right. Susanna Shapland reports

Artworks come to life

Arts

A variety show becomes something more complex and curious as paintings come alive, building sites inspire and flower power offers some light relief. Simon Jarrett is riveted by dramatic dancing

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Meader's view

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Featured

"It comes back to moral leadership. You’ve got to have someone who is challenging the system"

Laughing Boy: story on the stage

History of Community Living

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