Open Statement from Disabled People’s  Organisations and Allies

Coronavirus has hit disabled people hard. 60% of deaths from coronavirus have been those of Disabled People.

Phil and Cullum have been fostering with us for over seven years ago and have cared for about 20 children. They spoke to us about celebrating diversity and the joys of fostering. 

People with learning disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the news at the weekend about DNR orders has highlighted just how far this goes. We, like Mencap, would like to see this group prioritised for the vaccine rollout.

Stacey was in our care 11 years ago. We’ve been speaking to her about her experiences after leaving care at 16 and what support she wants to see for young care experienced mothers.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week this week. The annual event highlights the work being done by employers and apprentices across the UK. We had a chat with Mandy Conduit, Learning and Development Advisor at the Together Trust to tell us how we future proof our workforce through apprenticeships and the fantastic opportunities we have to upskill, regardless of whether you are at the beginning or more established in your career.

With the UK's vaccination programme in full swing and the government aiming to offer the vaccine to 15 million people by mid-February, those most at risk will be shortly, or potentially already be going through the process of getting vaccinated. Further news has now reported that everyone on the GP learning disability register should be prioritised for a Covid vaccine.

Bridge College is excited to announce they have a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with LuxAI to develop robotic software. QT the Robot is designed to remove barriers to learning for students with autism and provides innovative opportunities for students to learn new skills.

In the UK there has been a strong critique of the voluntary and community sector. Charity So White has highlighted institutional racism and challenged the sector to question whether it can say it is demonstrating best practice.

The evidence is clear that much has yet to be done.

The government made a manifesto commitment of a ‘bold and broad review’ of the care system that prioritised stable loving placements for children in care.

Many of the care leavers we speak to say there is a lack of love in the care system. The review must address the stigmatisation, discrimination and loneliness that care experienced people experience.