feature: Communication is the key
16 November 2007
Haringey Council is leading the way in how it communicates with people who have learning disabilities. We look at how we’re involving people with learning disabilities in decisions and telling them how those decisions affect them.
It’s estimated that there are around 4,000 adults in the borough who have a learning disability. Haringey Council has produced a special range of material to help communicate with them, including:
- A dedicated part of the Haringey website
- Easy to read letters and leaflets
- Specially designed presentations
Communicating with people with learning disabilities might mean using signing, symbols, pictures, objects as well as speech and writing.
Cllr Bob Harris, cabinet member for adult social care, said:
“It’s easy to forget how much information we get from reading articles, letters and leaflets. That can lead to real problems for anyone with learning difficulties.
“We’re proud of the lead we’re taking to help them.”
But it’s not just about telling people with learning disabilities about decisions and what services are available for them.
People with learning disabilities chair the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board where key issues affecting all local residents, including those with learning disabilities are discussed.
Marina Tsakiridou, from Haringey Council’s learning disabilities partnership, said:
“If anyone is giving a presentation at this meeting, we make sure their presentation is in a form that everyone can understand - which means sometimes people have to think again about how they want to present their information.
“But it’s absolutely essential that they make sure that it’s simple and easy to understand.
“We’ve had other councils contact us about what we’re doing.”
And the material has had a welcome spin-off effect – it’s been found to be helpful to people who don’t have English as their first language.
So if you know of anyone who might have difficulties reading this article, why not tell them about the Haringey Council website which has a special section where people can find materially specifically designed for them. It’s at: www.haringey.gov.uk/learningdisabilities.
And it’s been very popular – so far this year it’s been viewed by more than 1,000 times by people visiting the site. The team can also be contacted by ringing 020 8489 1384. They’re on hand to help too. Training is available on communicating with people with learning disabilities and is free for anyone living in or working for Haringey.
Facts and figures
- Three out of 10 people with a learning disability have a visual impairment
- Four out of 10 have a hearing impairment
- In the UK there are around 210,000 people with severe and profound learning disabilities
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