Latest News for Parents & Carers

The TV presenter and autism advocacy campaigner, Christine McGuinness, is mother of three autistic children, and she received an autism diagnosis herself as an adult. She is highlighting new research from Barrett Redrow which found that half of parents of children with disabilities surveyed said their child is excluded from play due to playgrounds being inaccessible to them. Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Sixteen-year-old Lucas Vezza‑O’Brien, who uses an electric wheelchair, was forced to stay alone on the upper floor of his school during a recent fire. First responders lacked the equipment, such as evacuation chairs, to bring him down safely. Traumatised by the experience, Lucas has now launched a campaign urging schools to improve safety planning for disabled students by ensuring properly equipped evacuation procedures are in place.

Disabled people are facing long waits for driving lessons due to a lack of instructors with suitable cars. According to the Association of Disability Driving Instructors (ADDI), less than 1% of the 39,500 driving instructors in the UK have specially adapted vehicles which can be used by those with additional needs.

An autistic actress starring in a new musical says she is proud to represent the autism community and educate others on the disability. Katie Cailean was diagnosed with autism as a teenager and says she is drawing on her own lived experience to bring authenticity to the role. Katie is making her professional theatre debut in the musical Indigo at the Curve Theatre in Leicester.

A childhood spent working for a florist and as a magician’s assistant helped Jo Malone to overcome the odds, and launch a multi-million pound business.