AGENDA 1. 什么是学习障碍？ 2. 如何沟通学习残疾人士？ 3. 可访问信息 4. 提示和技巧和有学习障碍的人一起工 5 有用的网站 6 保健法宣传

AGENDA 1.What is a learning disability? 2.How does someone with a learning disability communicate when they don’t understand? 3.Accessible information 4.Hints and tips for working with people with learning difficulties 5.Care Act Advocacy 6.Helpful websites

What is a learning disability? A learning disability happens when a person's brain development is affected, either before they are born, during their birth or in early childhood. A person with a learning disability has reduced intellectual ability and their learning disability affects the way they learn new things throughout their life, not just while they are at school. This means they can have difficulty: understanding new or complex information Reading and writing learning new skills coping independently (eg. keeping appointments) with everyday activities such as household tasks, socialising, managing money People with a mild learning disability are often able to talk easily and look after themselves, but take a bit longer than usual to learn new skills.

VALUING PEOPLE Valuing People (2001), which is the Government’s white paper on people with learning disabilities describe a ‘learning disability’ as a: significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills reduced ability to cope independently which starts before adulthood with lasting effects on development

How does someone with a learning disability communicate when they don’t understand? Signs that somebody with a learning difficulty has not understood what has been said are: They are very quiet They say yes to everything They keep asking the same question over and over People with learning difficulties are very good at masking their disability and making it appear as if they have understood. It’s always a good idea to check out whether they have understood by asking them to tell you in their own words what has been said.

Hints and tips for working with people with learning disabilities Always try and establish the person’s level of literacy. Ask questions such as ‘are you able to read’. If they are able to read try and establish what they are able to read. Ask questions such as ‘if you received a letter in the post would you be able to read it 'and ‘do you always open your letters’. It is important to know this so it can be taken into account when sending out letters. Many people with mild learning difficulties do not have support to open letters. Letters will often not be opened. If they are opened it is likely that they will not be understood Make sure information is in accessible format (see example letter) Speak clearly and slowly Do not use jargon or big words. If it is necessary to use a difficult word – check with the person that they understand what the word means

Hints and tips for working with people with learning disabilities Write down what you have talked about. This will help the parent remember what was said after you have gone Make sure they have a calendar or a diary Always demonstrate practical tasks. People with a learning disability often learn better when they are shown what to do They may need reminding of routines/how to do certain tasks. Provide them with reminders that they can put up in their home. It is a good idea to provide the reminders in picture format (see examples)

Hints and tips for working with people with learning disabilities Sometimes it may be necessary to break down information and give it over a number of visits rather than in one long visit Allow extra time for your visit, so that you’ve got time to explain things at the person’s pace It may be necessary to repeat things several times especially more complex pieces of information Always present information in a calm, non-stressful environment

Hints and tips for working with people with learning disabilities Always ask if there is someone they would like to go with them to appointments/meetings to help them understand what is being said Try not to explain important/complex information over the phone as the person is unlikely to understand what is being said. It is easier for people with learning disabilities to understand things when people are talking to them face to face.

Hints and tips for working with people with learning disabilities Make sure parents are aware of support services/groups. Always present the information in an accessible format. People with learning disabilities often find it difficult to attend groups and are likely to need support attending the first couple of sessions. It’s important that this support is available Try and have an understanding of what life is like for a parent with a learning disability. Life can be extremely busy/stressful for them. Their days are often filled with a variety of appointments such as benefit appointments, tenancy support sessions, health visitor appointments, parenting groups, parenting courses and of course Social Worker visits Refer to the adult learning disability team Be honest with people about what might happen

CARE ACT ADVOCACY From the 1 st April 2015 Choices Advocacy will be providing advocacy in Southampton in partnership with Solent Mind The new service is called Advocacy South Advocacy South will provide care act advocacy, community advocacy and SEND (advocacy for young people aged with special educational needs and disabilities). The priority will be given to care act advocacy as we have a statutory duty to provide this advocacy

USEFUL WEBSITES Change can put other organisations documents into an accessible format. People with learning disabilities can provide training on how to make information accessible. They also have picture banks that organisations can buy to make their documents more accessible. You can also purchase parenting publications from CHANGE. Mencap’s Accessibility Unit have published a guide on writing accessible documents The Working Together with Parents Network aims to spread positive practice and to promote policy, so that parents with learning disabilities and their children can get better support The Valuing People website has a section on parents with learning disabilities and contains a number of resources and useful links