Latest News for Parents & Carers

More people are complaining of developing tinnitus for the first time or have found their symptoms have worsened since the start of the pandemic, according to scientists and other leading experts who specialise in the condition. The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) has reported a surge in the number of people accessing its services, with a 256% increase in the number of web chats from May to December 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. Calls to its helpline rose by 16% during the same period.

Here is the Summer edition of the Derby City SEND Local Offer Newsletter for SEND professionals, parents, carers, and young people in Derby. There are lots of things happening and events taking place – check out the ‘what’s coming up’ section for more details of how you can join the conversation about SEND in Derby. The Local Area is also getting ready to develop a new action plan for SEND in the City, through a series of workshops around the vision and key priorities that they co-produced last year.

The Big Ask is a new opportunity for children and young people and those who work with them to make their voices heard through the Children Commissioner for England’s new survey. This is the largest ever survey of children and young people in England. The results will show the government what you think, and what children need to live happier lives.

In a recent poll by SIBS, adult siblings who have a disabled brother or sister, has shown that life during the pandemic has been tough. 91% of siblings report life as more challenging. As one sibling said: “To outsiders, I am coping. I work full-time and help to care for my brother every day. Inside, however, I feel sick with worry about what the future holds. How long can I continue to keep all of the juggling balls in the air and make sure that my family survives this?”.

Nike has launched the GO FlyEase, accessible hands-free shoes that are easy to put on and take off by simply slipping your foot in without bending down to do up laces, zips or straps. The innovative design was inspired by Matthew Walzer, who wrote a letter at aged 16 to Nike asking for an accessible pair of shoes he could put on and off independently because he has cerebral palsy.