News Release, 11 September 2000
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, has launched a training pack for frontline staff, volunteers, carers and advocates supporting people with severe learning disabilities who have little or no speech.
The Choice Discovered pack includes guidance notes for a facilitator and student worksheets together with a video, and is designed to give staff and carers a better understanding of the many different methods of communication that can be used.
The training provides practical exercises in communication skills. Participants are asked, for example, to communicate ‘When you go shopping could you buy me some disinfectant?’ using gestures alone. The training course also examines the different ways in which people with profound learning disabilities communicate with others, for example by using touch, expression or sound. Case studies are also included. The training course can be run over one full day or over three two-hour sessions.
Hazel Morgan said: "Communication is an essential part of being able to make choices. People with profound learning disabilities are not always given the same opportunities as others, so can frequently miss out. People with severe learning disabilities will be able to make more decisions if staff, carers and volunteers spend more time building relationships and establishing ways of communicating effectively."
Choice Discovered : A training resource pack, July 2000. Priced £80.00, is available from the the Publications Department at the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Tel 020 7803 1101 or email books@fpld.org.uk
Return to news releases 2000
Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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