Latest News for Parents & Carers

In one way or another, Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives. But living through the pandemic with a disability has been an even bigger struggle for many. It’s not all negative though – in many ways, the pandemic has molded the world into a more inclusive place. Disability Horizons writer and editor Raya talks about the important things that Covid-19 has taught us and the positive aspects that have encouraged society to be more understanding and accessible.

New research has deepened understanding of the way autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests in the brains of girls. It has prompted scientists to warn that conclusions drawn from studies conducted primarily in boys should not be assumed to hold true for girls. The researchers discovered there is a significant difference in the genes and “genetic burden” that underpin the condition in girls and boys.

Two FLARE members were interviewed for an article by Children and Young People Now. The article explores the language used in children’s services and the concern that some common terms risk stigmatising children, young people and families.

Avanti West Coast has become the first UK train operator to offer Disabled passengers a dedicated social media forum. The Accessible Rail Travel with Avanti West Coast Facebook group aims to provide a support network to share advice, tips and offer feedback.

New research by the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) has highlighted the challenges faced by deaf people when securing and progressing in work. The survey, which polled the experiences of D/deaf people in relation to employment and career progression, was carried out at the end of 2020. Among the issues raised by respondents were a lack of deaf awareness amongst employers, communication issues and barriers to voluntary work. When asked about careers advice, only a quarter of respondents said they had received this in sign language, whilst of those who received careers advice at school less than half (41%) said the careers advisor thought they could do the job they wanted.