Hearing the voices of people with learning disabilities online. … are we? amy.gaskin@patientopinion.org.uk

for the next 45 minutes…

Where are we ‘missing the boat’? What is working? Why’s it so important? What could we try?

“As a result of Death by Indifference, an independent inquiry was carried out, which makes strong recommendations for change to give people with a learning disability equal healthcare.” “All politicians and professional bodies need to understand what is going wrong for people with a learning disability, and what needs to change to get things right.” Mencap, ‘Getting it right’

“Over 70% of adults who have difficulty reading have a computer at home. Of those who do, over 70% of them use it to access the internet.” (From the 2004 report of the 1970 Cohort Study)

how can we better support people with learning disabilities to use, and enjoy, the internet? how do we use web tools to empower people with learning disabilities? how can the internet add ‘umph’ to the voices of those with learning disabilities and force change? wouldn’t everyone like to see clearer, simpler, brighter websites with video and audio content? what have we not thought of yet?

to talk to me: tel: 0114 281 6258 email: amy.gaskin@patientopinion.org.uk :@ajgaskin