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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.

The University of Warwick and The Leverhulme Trust are looking for Year 11 students with autism, cerebral palsy or dyslexia to take part in a research project about educational pathways and work outcomes. The Educational Pathways and Work Outcomes of Disabled Young People in England is a research project that investigates the relationship of adolescent disability with social disadvantage. They want to hear young people’s views about their experiences of disability and schooling, their plans and aspirations for the future. They are looking for Year 11 students with autism, dyslexia, and/or cerebral palsy in mainstream schools. For each interview, participants will receive a £20 Love-to-Shop voucher.

Should you want to take part please get in touch at disabled.transitions@warwick.ac.uk 

Sibs has published findings from a survey of parents to understand how the needs of siblings of disabled children were affected by lockdown. A survey of 640 parents found that:

• 81% said their sibling child’s mental health had worsened
• 43% of siblings were providing more care in lockdown
• 40% of young siblings were feeling isolated and missing support from family and friends.

An earlier survey carried out in May 2020 found that 75% of parents felt their sibling child’s mental health had worsened in lockdown.

The CBF and the Tizard Centre are working in partnership, supported by an advisory group, to seek the views and perspectives of children and adults with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities. The CBF and the Tizard Centre have been developing ways to improve how they seek the views of people with severe and profound learning disabilities. In recognition of the need to get better at seeking the views of children and adults with learning disabilities and with more complex communication challenges, NHS England has funded the Seldom Heard project.

More than one in three deaf people have reported struggling with their mental health because of the pandemic, according to a recent report by the deafness charity SignHealth. Christopher Reid, Director of Operations at SignHealth said: “We are very concerned that 35% of deaf respondents indicated that the pandemic has had a major negative impact on their mental health and 61% highlighting anxiety as what has impacted them most.” SignHealth is now appealing to the government to do more in regards to continued accessibility.