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Learning Disability Awareness

Welcome

Mencap logo

Introductions• Talk with the person next

to you and find out one thing you have in common.

• It might be a hobby, something you like or a place you have visited.

• Please also write your first name on a sticker

Hopes

• What do you hope to get from today?

• Please write this down and put it in an envelope with your first name on

Rules• Please turn mobile

phones off or put them on silent.

• Please have your say, everybody’s ideas are important.

• Please listen to each other and take it in turns to have your say.

• Any other rules?

What is learning disability?• What do you think?

• Northamptonshire definition

• But............. Please remember...............

• I am a person first

• Please do not label me

• We are not all the same

• I am good at lots of things

• I am learning new things

• I have lots of friends

• I have my own flat

• A learning disability is not:

• Problems with just reading or writing

• Emotional difficulties• Things like Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)• Aspergers Syndrome • Also, not everybody with autism

has a learning disability

Quiz

Medical Model

The disabled person is seen as the problem

They need to be pitied

They need help

They can’t do things properly

They are dangerous

They need looking after

They need to be told what to do by professionals

They are sick

They need treating

Social Model

• The problem is a disabling world that affects each individual

Social Model

• Schools and social services keep us away from other people

Social Model

• Nobody will give me a job

Social Model

• Lots of buildings are hard to get into and use

Social Model

• Lots of signs and papers use words not pictures

Social Model

• People think I am stupid

Social Model

• Buses and trains are not easy to use

Social Model

• There is not enough money for me and my family

Social Model

The problem is a disabling world that affects each individual

Nobody will give me a job

Lots of buildings are hard to get into and use

Lots of signs and papers use words and not pictures

People think I am stupid

Buses and trains are not easy to use

There is not enough money for me and my family

Schools and social services keep us away from other people

Rights• People with learning

disabilities, like all of us are protected by laws to make sure they have legal rights.

• Some of the laws are:

• Human Rights Act 1998

• Equalities Act 2010

• We all need to make sure there is no discrimination

Rights• Another important law to help make

sure that people with learning disabilities have their rights is the Mental Capacity Act.

• The Mental Capacity Act says that we must assume that every adult has the capacity to make decisions.

• Each decision is separate and so it is possible that a person may have capacity to make one decision but not another.

Rights• The Mental Capacity Act also says

that we must support people in as many ways as we can to help them to make their own decisions.

• Decision making involves understanding, remembering , considering ,deciding and communicating.

• Only when it is shown that a person can not make a specific decision, can others make that decision for them.

Rights• The Act also says that people

have the right to make unwise decisions.

• If a decision is made on behalf of someone it must be in their best interest and the least restrictive option should always be taken.

• This means that the decision should be one that places as few limits on the person as possible.

Communication• We all communicate in different

ways• Some of these might be:

Body Language – gestures and using our faces

Words and Sounds

Braille

Signs

Electronic communication aids

Using Objects

Communication• Words

• Signs

• Things

• Pictures and symbols

• Have a go.............

Ask each other........

1. Your name

2. What has happened

3. Do you need an ambulance

Use words, signs, things and pictures.

Remember, remember......• Find a good place to

communicate – somewhere quiet without distractions.

If you are talking to a large group be aware that some people may find this difficult

Remember, remember......• Ask open questions –

questions that don’t have a simple yes or no

•  Check with person that you understand what they are saying –

“The TV isn’t working? Is that right?”

Remember, remember......• If the person wants to take you

to show you something, go with them.

• Watch the person – they may tell you things by their body language and facial expressions.

• Learn from experience – you will need to be observant and don’t feel awkward about asking parents/carers/others for their help.

Remember, remember......• Try drawing – even if your

drawing is not great it might still be helpful.

• Take your time don’t rush your communication.

• Use gestures and facial expressions. If you are asking if someone is unhappy make your facial expression unhappy.

Remember, remember......•Be aware that some people find it easier to use real objects to communicate but photo’s and pictures can help too.

•Be patient and listen to what you are being told and if you do not understand ask the person to repeat what they have said.

Remember, remember......•Speak slowly and clearly and use plain and simple language at all times.

•Always reassure the person if they are worried or afraid.

Remember, remember......

•Treat people as individuals and don’t be afraid.

•Everyone can communicate as all behaviour is communication.

Open Discussion

• Worries?

• Concerns?

• Things you are looking forward to?

And finally..........

• Were your hopes achieved?

• Evaluation forms

• Have a safe journey

• Thank you