Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Lack of knowledge and fear is hampering the take-up of direct payments
- Author:
- HAYNES Anna
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 18(2), 2004, p.22.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Reports on the first stage of a project which will go on to find ways of overcoming the barriers stopping people with learning difficulties getting direct payments. The 18 month project, is being carried out by The Rowan Organisation with funding from the Department of Health and will end in September 2005.
Treat me right: better healthcare for people with a learning disability: accessible summary
- Author:
- MENCAP
- Publisher:
- Mencap
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 15p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report seeks to engage with everyone involved in improving the health and the healthcare experiences of people with a learning disability. It summarises what is known about their health needs and looks at what is actually happening when people seek health service support. The report aims to build support for the changes that are needed, by proposing recommendations that will make a real difference. The authors want the health of people with a learning disability to be visible to public health practitioners when they assess the whole population’s health and take action to improve the health of the worst off. It argues that professionals in all healthcare sectors need to show that they can do things better and rise to the challenge of improving the health of people with a learning disability.
Prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability: access to audiology and impact on behaviour
- Authors:
- TIMEHIN C., TIMEHIN E.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 32(3), September 2004, pp.128-132.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There is a paucity of studies exploring the frequency of problem behaviours in people with learning disability and hearing impairment, described as 'double jeopardy' because the difficulties are compounded to be more than the sum of their parts. The study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability, investigate their access to audiology, and also collect information on the prevalence of problem behaviours and explore links between hearing impairment and use of hearing aids and problem behaviours. Prevalence was 9.2%; 70% had been seen by audiology services at some time but only 24% had ongoing assessments and hearing-aid maintenance; 62% had problem behaviours and 34% had self-injurious behaviour. The high prevalence of these compared with other studies suggests a need for further research. These findings also reveal that the hearing status of people with learning disability continues to be overlooked as the deafness often gets lost among their other problems.
Independent state?
- Authors:
- BRADFORD Jeff, HUFF Marlene Belew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 26.2.04, 2004, p.41.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports from Kentucky in the USA where people with learning difficulties often have problems in accessing programmes that could help them live independently.
Making your voice heard: a guide to local government: accessible version
- Author:
- MENCAP
- Publisher:
- Mencap
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 17p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A guide how local government works and what it does plus how users can encourage local government to improve services for people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
Helping ourselves?: direct payments and the development of peer support for people with learning difficulties: a report commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and produced by Values into Action
- Authors:
- BEWLEY Catherine, MCCULLOCH Linsay
- Publisher:
- Values into Action
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 29p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
New regulations which came into force in 2003 in England (and similar measures in Wales in 2004) mean that local authorities do not just have the power to offer direct payments; they now have a duty to offer them to eligible people. In theory, this should mean far higher numbers of people receiving direct payments, including people with learning difficulties. But key to take-up of direct payments is the availability of effective support to access and manage them. There are very few independent direct payments support schemes run by and for people with learning difficulties. Most independent direct payments support is provided by existing disabled people's organisations or direct payments schemes set up for the purpose. There are some very good examples but most independent direct payments support schemes have limited or no involvement by people with learning difficulties. There are different views and expectations about what 'independent' support means. The quality of support is crucial, not just its independence from statutory services. Assumptions about consent and ability to manage direct payments can block people with learning difficulties from accessing support and these can be held equally by independent support schemes as by statutory services. Sometimes an individual with appropriate attitudes, information and experience, whether based in independent support agencies or within social services, can have more effect in enabling people with learning difficulties to access direct payments than an independent contract that is given to those with little knowledge or experience about including people with learning difficulties. Local issues and assumptions around funding, tendering and contracts have a big influence on whether people with learning difficulties are included in support schemes and whether contracts are given to groups of people with learning difficulties.
Instead of looking at my disability, listen to what I'm trying to tell you
- Author:
- TRUELAND Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 09.12.04, 2004, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Health inequalities for those with learning difficulties and mental health problems are to be the subject of a ground-breaking investigation by the Disability Rights Commission who are launching their investigation 'Equal treatment: closing the gap'. Asks if it will blame GPs.
Hidden lives: improving life chances of people with a learning disability
- Author:
- TURNING POINT
- Publisher:
- Turning Point
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 23p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report argues that while the government's strategy, Valuing People, is making progress, this is not fast enough and many people with high support needs face discrimination and a lack of employment opportunities. The report reveals that 65% of people with a learning disability want to work, yet 90% do not have a job. This leads, it says, to rejection and exclusion, and closes off opportunities.
Hidden lives: improving life chances of people with a learning disability; summary
- Author:
- TURNING PONT
- Publisher:
- Turning Point
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report argues that while the government's strategy, Valuing People, is making progress, this is not fast enough and many people with high support needs face discrimination and a lack of employment opportunities. The report reveals that 65% of people with a learning disability want to work, yet 90% do not have a job. This leads, it says, to rejection and exclusion, and closes off opportunities.
Channel crossing
- Author:
- HUNTER Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 16.09.04, 2004, pp.42-43.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports on an Anglo-French partnership, between Medway Council and the Maison de l'Initiative in the Grande Synthe region, which is pioneering 'cultural mediation' as a way to combat exclusion among ethnic minorities. The project is funded until July 2005 by the European Union's Interreg IIIA programme. In Medway the project is focusing on improving access to social services for people from ethnic minorities with mental health needs, physical disabilities and learning difficulties. In France the mediators are targeting employment issues for ethnic minorities.