1. Accessible Information and Communication
People First (Scotland)
Parents’ Group
Edinburgh Local Area Coordination Parenting Project

2. People First Parents’ Group

3. 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 and 26,000 adults.
Identification issues
Keys to Life, Scottish Government 2013

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. Easy Read Information Short sentences Easy words – no jargon
Well spaced out
Large print and clear font
Pictures – photos or drawings

8. Stories Zoe and John’s story
Experiences of parents with learning difficulties 8

9. 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 9

10. 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 10

11. 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 11

12. 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 12

13. 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

14. ...sometimes it works out well
And to finish...
...sometimes it works out well 14

15. Contact details People First (Scotland) Jane Lewis 15