In the news
News Archive
October 2007
The view from in here….
October 2007
Alex is not a disturbed child, although he could be mistaken for one. Sitting in his classroom, he often looks out of the window, and then his restlessness becomes infectious and begins to distract the other kids….
Funding Concerns
October 2007
There are some positive developments in last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). In particular the social exclusion taskforce’s new emphasis on adults with mental health needs or learning disabilities is overdue and welcome.
Once we were mothers
October 2007
Theatre review
Lisa Evans’ new play is in the tradition of work by Shannon McDonald and Charlotte Keatley in exploring inter-generational female relationships . . . the most engrossing is that of Ali, an ex-ballet dancer, bringing up a daughter with Down’s Syndrome in the face of fierce opposition from her mother.
Michael Billingham, Tuesday October 16th 2007
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/reviews/story/0,,2192123,00.html
The Weekend's TV
October 2007
One of my favourite films of recent years is Spellbound, a documentary that follows young competitors in an American spelling bee, Beautiful Young Minds (BBC2 Sunday) does for numbers what Spellbound did for letters……some are on the autism spectrum…
Medical procedures and the rights of people with disabilities
October 2007
My daughter also suffers from cerebral palsy and, like Katie, is unable to move or talk and has almost no understanding of the world around her…
Disabled film-makers reel talent
October 2007
A record 113 entries have been whittled down to 38 for the Oska Bright film festival - the only one in Europe that showcases films made by and for people with learning disabilities - which opens in Hove, East Sussex, on Monday.
Mark Gould, The Guardian, Wednesday October 10th 2007
http://society.guardian.co.uk/offdiary/story/0,,2186959,00.html
Grieving father kills himself and disabled son
October 2007
A distraught father killed himself and his disabled son by driving his car into the harbour the day after his wife died. It is believed that Ray Gig, 70, feared he could not cope with being the sole carer for his son Lincoln, 39, who had learning disabilities.
Richard Savill, Telegraph, Wednesday October 10th 2007
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/09/nharbour109.xml
A voice for the speechless
October 2007
Up to 100,000 children need electric aids to communicate. There just aren’t enough to go round.
Anna Bawden, The Guardian, Tuesday October 9th 2007
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2186231,00.html
Meet Tyran and Leanne – they learnt of love and sex in a school for the disabled.
October 2007
A pioneering policy is breaking an old taboo by encouraging disabled teenagers to form sexual relationships, with help from carers if necessary.
Anushka Asthana, Education Correspondent, The Guardian, Sunday October 7th 2007
Http://education.guardian.co.uk/further/story/0,,2186123,00.html
Epilepsy drug for children launches in UK
October 2007
The first drug in the world specifically designed for children with epilepsy was launched in the UK today. Unlike other epilepsy treatments administered to children, Inovelon was not originally developed for adults.
Source: Press Association
http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=28580&P=1
Children like Grace
October 2007
Last month it emerged that the playwright Arthur Miller had put his newborn son, who had Down’s Syndrome, into an institution. People were shocked, but back in the 60s that was the norm. Jon Henley talks to four generations of parents about how things have changed.
The Guardian, Thursday October 4th 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2182847,00.html
Public Inquiry
October 2007
Phoebe Caldwell works with learning disabled people and is a writer. She has just written a book entitled ‘From Isolation to Intimacy’.
Interview by Nav Johal, The Guardian, Wednesday October 3rd 2007
http://society.guardian.co.uk/publicinquiry/story/0,,2181950,00.html
