Page 6 - CL winter 2023 for web

update

The Scottish government has Report due on effect of Don’t write off
Input sought for Scots law
been recruiting neurodivergent children, says
people for a panel to design an Covid by ethnic origin
inclusive consultation over a campaign
proposed law. The Learning
Disability, Autism and
Neurodiversity Bill aims to A commission set up to Racism last summer. The The right support for autistic
protect people’s rights. It will investigate Covid’s impact on commission, funded by the children at school can influence
also consider establishing a black, Asian, and minority Joseph Rowntree Trust, has their futures as adults.
commissioner to protect these ethnic disabled people is set gathered views from people, A campaign by Ambitious
rights in practice. to report its findings early families and carers. about Autism aims to stop
this year. It also aims to explore schools giving up on
Book on autistic experience People with a learning how the long-term neglect autistic pupils.
Autistic and activist disability from an Asian or of social care has had The charity’s Written Off?
contributors are among those Asian British background negative outcomes. campaign demands the
whose writing features in a were three times more likely Commission chair Kamran government protects special
new book about the autistic to die from Covid than their Mallick, chief executive of educational needs and
experience. Sara Ryan has white British counterparts, charity Disability Rights UK, disabilities (SEND) funding
co-edited the Routledge research has shown. said: “The evidence cannot be and families’ legal rights to get
International Handbook of The Voluntary ignored and compels us all to support for their children.
Critical Autism Studies with Organisations Disability learn from these experiences, Research among 2,000
fellow academic Damian Group launched its to collectively seek out families and young people
Milton. Ryan said the process Commission on Covid-19, solutions and identify what showed two-thirds (65%) of
has been “an exciting and Disablism and Systemic must change.” n families were unhappy with
moving experience”. Milton their child’s mainstream
hopes the book will support education. More than one in
future research and practice. three (36%) autistic pupils
Annual health checks targeted reported being out of school
Award for creative courses against their wishes.
The Centre for Learning The government is reviewing
Disabilities Education at Ensuring people with a disability or autism – is the SEND system. Families
City Lit adult education learning disability have annual led by Leicestershire fear its green paper proposals,
college has won Inclusive health checks is one aim of a Partnership NHS Trust and including limiting the ability
Provider of Adult Education at new strategy in Leicestershire. involves Leicester, to choose a school, will make
the recent Mayor of London’s The LDA Collaborative – Leicestershire and Rutland it harder for children to get
Adult Learning Awards. The LDA stands for learning Integrated Care Board. n support in education. n
institute offers a creative art
curriculum for adults with
learning disabilities.
Climbers raise funds for sensory and sports kit
Learning Disability Week
Learning Disability Week
begins on 25 June. The theme nything is possible with in the mountain and the views
of the annual campaign, the right support. were stunning.”
organised by Mencap, is due to A This was the motto of Training for the 10 mile,
be announced early this year. a team that climbed Mount six-and-a-half hour mountain
Snowdon to raise funds to buy trek at the end of last year
Award for campaign group sensory and sports equipment. included walks up Box Hill in
The Leaders’ List, an annual The new equipment is for Surrey, cycling and high-
celebration of achievement, led services run by support intensity interval training.
by charity Dimensions, provider Active Prospects. The team of nine walkers
Learning Disability England Matt Leadbeater receives included both staff and people
and Voluntary Organisations support from the charity, receiving support.
Disability Group, has which works with people The £4,000 raised will fund
recognised a host of talents. across the south east. Peak progress: Matt Leadbeater and equipment such as starry night
Leeds-based Stop People Dying Joining him on the Helen Guest at Mount Snowden ceiling panels and light boxes
Too Young – which challenges ascent was Helen Guest, for sensory rooms as well as
unequal treatment of autistic or co-production programmes Leadbeater said: “The part I sports equipment such as Active Prospects
learning disabled patients – is manager at Active Prospects liked best was seeing Wales up adapted tricycles. n
n
among the winners.

6 Community Living winter 2023 vol 36 no 2