Welcoming Communities event Event
- Time:
- 10:00 - 16:00
- Date:
- 22 October 2013
- Venue:
- Central Hall, St Mary's Street Southampton SO14 1NF
For more information regarding this event, please telephone Andrew Power on 023 8059 9223 or email a.power@soton.ac.uk .
Event details
This FREE event is for people with a learning disability, their families, advocates and allies, to hear and talk about what welcoming communities mean to people with a learning disability living in Southampton & SW Hants.
Recent adult social care policy has emphasised choice and meaningful inclusion for persons with learning disabilities, yet local councils face daunting challenges in terms of national government austerity policies involving cuts to funding and greater expectations on local community involvement. At the same time, there has been a move away from group services such as day care centres and group homes for people with learning disabilities, with an emphasis on meaningful lives in the community. As a result, many people with disabilities have seen greater opportunities to live and participate in their local areas and use local amenities. Yet, many challenges exist, including an erosion of formal services, fears over harassment and a greater need for advocacy.
Following a University of Southampton year-long study involving in-depth focus groups with adults with learning disabilities, the research team including Dr Andrew Power, Dr Ruth Bartlett and Prof. Graham Crow, are hosting a feedback event and exhibition which explores the question, What do Welcoming Communities mean to Adults with Learning Disabilities in Southampton and SW Hants?
The day promises to be informative and fun. There will be opportunities to hear about a research project run by researchers from the University of Southampton with the support of Choices Advocacy, find out more about what's happening locally and around the country in terms of increasing opportunities for people with learning disabilities, and have your say about what makes for a welcoming community. To book your place please contact Andrew Power at: a.power@soton.ac.uk or 023 8059 9223