Latest News for Parents & Carers

PhD student and stroke survivor Bradley Cory has won the Best Eco-Friendly Inventor Entrepreneur Award at the SJL National Start-Up Business Awards for his design of an eco-friendly reading tool. It is a dyslexic ruler reading aid for people with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and ADHD. He invented the dyslexic ruler four years after being diagnosed as dyslexic at university.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has opened a consultation on mental health and wellbeing in England. This is being conducted to facilitate the development of a ten-year plan on mental health. Views will be gathered on areas such as improving wellbeing in children and young people. The Department is looking to gain various views from those who work with people who may be affected by mental ill-health including children and young people. Survey deadline: Tuesday 5 July.

The head of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Gregory Doran, has said that it is no longer acceptable for non-disabled actors to play Disabled characters. Speaking to The Times, he said: “Tony’s [Antony Sher’s 1984 RSC] performance now would probably not be acceptable… It’s the Othello syndrome, isn’t it? That moment when white actors stopped thinking of Othello in their repertoire because it was not acceptable to have blackface anymore, at least until the level playing field is achieved. It’s the same with Disabled actors and Richard.” The RSC is gearing up for a Stratford-Upon-Avon production of Richard III featuring Disabled actor, Arthur Hughes, who was recently seen in the BBC drama about 1990s disability activism, When Barbara Met Alan.

A Paralympic champion is hoping to become the first blind woman to cross the English Channel solo. Melanie Barratt, who won gold medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Paralympics, has since swapped the pool for open water swimming at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire. Ms Barratt also wants to help other visually impaired people experience open water swimming by setting up a support group.

The Department for Education has published accessible versions of the green paper, SEND review: right support, right place, right time including:

• a full British Sign Language version to support those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
• an easy-read version to support those with learning disabilities
• a guide to help children and young people with SEND or those in alternative provision to understand the green paper and respond to the consultation

They are extending the consultation period by 3 weeks, to 22 July 2022, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part in the consultation.