1.  Our experiences of using health services, education, housing and welfare benefits:

Responses

  Standard services are not for individuals, we are expected to fit into how they work, and the services aren't created to work around us.

  A big part of your experience with services depends on where you live.

2.  What chances you had to have personal relationships with people like:

—  Partners (boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives).

—  Your family.

—  Children.

Responses

  Little or no sex education, service providers assumed we wouldn't need it.

  Lots of people have no chance of having children of their own.

  People make assumptions that people shouldn't be together to have relationships, get relationships, get married or have babies as it is thought too risky.

  Separate services mean moving away from the people that love you and you love, your parents, brothers and sisters and friends—so it's difficult to create relationships.

  There are no special antenatal classes or accessible information on having a baby.

3.  How easy is it for people with a learning disability to have a say in decisions that affect them?

Responses:

  A lot of people are not aware they can make decisions.

  Information is not presented in a way people can understand, so they cannot make a decision.

  Individual voices and decisions can get lost in a large group, but there is strength in numbers and people can feel more comfortable expressing opinions within a group.

  It is very difficult, especially for people with complex needs; they are reliant on family carers or supporters to speak up for them and give them relevant information.

  There are barriers to communication and it takes time and understanding to really know an individual well enough to speak on behalf of them.

  Telling stories is a good way of getting a point across.

4.  How easy is it for people with a learning disability to make a complaint?

Responses:

  To have a say or make a complaint you need to understand what the complaint is and why you are making it.

  There's a fear of getting into trouble, worry about being labelled a nuisance or making things worse.

  Sometimes people can say you have challenging behaviour if you disagree or complain because people are not taught how to complain the right way.

  Sometimes a complaint is made and nothing is done about it; people aren't being listened to.

5.  What would help people with a learning disability get their human rights and any examples you have of when this has been done well.

Responses:

  An independent supporter that understands the person they are caring for/supporting, that has the person's best interests at heart.

  Access to buildings and facilities within the community would help people lead fuller lives like good changing places.

  Danny's Dream is a personal support agency, which provides excellent support from well trained staff, is a great example.

  A great help would be to make sure people know what is available to them from the start.

  There needs to be a shift of power and control.

  Engagement and understanding what it means.

  Self Direct Support will help people to understand their rights and stop people from getting into institutional care.

  To make sure people are aware of what their human rights are—self directed support provides the cash for individual services to allow people to be individuals.

  Experiences like Partners in Policy Making and Tomorrow's Leaders gives people the knowledge, control and power to be strong, confident and to understand what human rights are.

30 May 2007