Latest News for Parents & Carers

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has created a free online hub, Business Without Barriers, aimed at supporting disabled entrepreneurs and encouraging small businesses to be more inclusive and accessible. From starting a business to improving workplace accessibility, the Business Without Barriers hub brings together a wealth of information, interviews, and resources from leading experts and organisations, all designed for small business owners and the self-employed.

On Thursday 28 April, The Health and Care Act 2022 was given Royal Assent, it will fundamentally change the way services are planned and delivered by the NHS, local authorities, and other key agencies. Following crucial government amendments in the House of Lords, the new law will put the needs of babies, children and young people at the heart of these reforms.

Daniel Challis is a student with cerebral palsy and is searching for a voice with a Walsall accent. He currently uses a communication device to speak and has appealed on social media for people with a regional accent to help. The 18-year-old has said he was fed up of “sounding like a robot” and would like a voice with a regional accent in order to sound like his family. His mum, Sarah Challis, said it would “massively boost his confidence”.

Actress Liz Carr has suggested theatres consider hosting separate performances of shows for audiences who still want to wear facemasks or socially distance. The Silent Witness star won best supporting actress at Sunday’s Oliviers for her role in The Normal Heart. As live audiences have mostly abandoned wearing masks, Carr suggested venues could offer “Covid-safer” performances. “Theatre should remain accessible even to those of us who have health conditions,” she told BBC News. Carr, who has used a wheelchair since she was seven, is one of the most high-profile disabled actors in the UK.

The parent-led and special educational needs information organisation, Special Needs Jungle recently wrote to Will Quince MP.

Dear Minister Will Quince MP Can you please tell us what has happened to the #EasyRead and #BSL version of the SEND Review that have been promised? How can young people and those who reply on BSL participate without them? We now only have 10 weeks left. Please act now!

The minister apologised and tweeted, “the team is working as quickly as possible to make accessible versions available in the coming days.” This tweet was dated 25 April.