Posted 13 November 2020 - 08:30
Posted 13 November 2020 - 08:30
News
COVID-19: free online book for people with learning disabilities and autism
Online resource features personal stories from around the world about how people are coping
Online resource features personal stories from around the world about how people are coping
An online book outlines how people with learning disabilities and autism are coping during COVID-19.
The book, Peter and Friends Talk About COVID-19 and Having a Learning Disability and/or Autism, features personal stories from the UK and around the world and includes contributions from nurses.
‘What really shines through is the resilience of people’
Those behind the book, which is free to download online, include practice development nurse Steve Hardy of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in London.
Mr Hardy said: ‘There are some sad stories. One man had attempted suicide but was getting counselling to think about things more positively.
‘But what really shines through is the resilience of people. People have been helping and going out shopping for each other, using technology and getting together using things like Zoom.
‘Also, the information has to be right. People do need easy reads, but there were suggestions such as having a person to talk through the easy read book with.’
Using the right language to explain COVID-19
Mr Hardy added: ‘Governments and local authorities need to use the right language. People have a problem with the term “support bubble”, which is difficult to explain, and what does the R rate mean? They need to really look at what is plain English.’
Others behind the book include self-advocate Peter Cronin, London South Bank University senior lecturer Eddie Chaplin, occupational therapy student Matthew Roberts, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities director Christine-Koulla Burke and the foundation's project manager David Mahon.
Find out more
Peter and Friends Talk About COVID-19 and Having a Learning Disability and/or Autism
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