ENABLE Scotland recently launched our new manifesto for the upcoming local elections.

Local Authorities are crucial in the lives of people who have learning disabilities and their families. Good services and support can make all the difference.

Our manifesto reflects the views of our members across Scotland and contains the following key asks:

• More choice and control over services for people who have learning disabilities
• Information in easy-read language about what people have to pay for their care
• Specialist support to help people who have learning disabilities receive the right welfare benefits
• An emergency plan for each older carer who does not know what will happen to the person they care for when they die
• Teachers and other staff in schools across to receive training in learning disability and autism awareness issues

You can see the full manifesto here

We are making an oral history film (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) about the experiences and memories of disabled people born in 1972 and living in Wales. The project will reflect changing policy and attitudes towards disabled people over the past four decades and will be produced in the context of Disability Wales' 40th Anniversary. 

There are two ways in which people can become involved in the project: as members of the production team; and as interviewees! 

Production Team: We are seeking disabled volunteers of all ages to take part in this project through a number of different ways; by conducting interviews, using new media to create digital stories and, film and edit material - become part of the production team! 

Interviewees: We are keen that the film represents the different experiences of disability and the diverse community of disabled people in Wales. We are looking for disabled people from a range of backgrounds who are 40 this year, live in Wales and are willing to share their lived experiences to camera. 

All volunteers will receive full training including learning about interviewing techniques, filming, editing, and cataloguing as well as disability equality and the history of disabled people. 

Please contact Disability Wales now on 029 20887325

or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to register your interest.

The UK health and Learning Disability Network was under threat because of a funding crisis, I'm pleased to say that the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities  has stepped in to help secure the immediate future of the network between April 2012 and March 2013. 

To join the network click here. 

or here.

We are still seeking funding to secure the future of the network and we may have to move to a small subscription model over the next year - I will endeavour to keep this as low as possible and hope not to lose members, anyone who is unable pay will not be excluded and I will keep the resource free for families and individuals with a learning disability. 

I'm happy to receive any comments and thank you all for your ongoing support

Janet Cobb - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.