6 October 2009
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has published a new workbook today for young people with learning disabilities to help them plan their future after school or college, as well as an information booklet for their parents. The materials were developed in consultation with young people with learning disabilities and their families.
Moving forward
The Easier Read workbook, My Kind of a Future, covers a range of topics including Staying Healthy, Getting Around and Getting Ready for Work. My Kind of a Future was developed to encourage young people to plan their own lives independently and think about their future.
Jill Davies, Research Programme Manager for the Foundation explained the thinking behind the project:
“Young people were telling us that there wasn’t a good source of information available to help them think about their future. We hope My Kind of a Future will fill that gap. Young people with a learning disability have dreams and hopes for the future and we hope this workbook will help make it bit easier for them to go about following those dreams.”
Help for parents
Prepared for the Future? has been written specifically for parents, siblings and other family members who want to help a young relative to lead a fulfilling life after leaving school. The booklet covers a wide range of topics in jargon-free language, including:
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getting support
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different opportunities available after school
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moving from the family home
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health
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getting support in your caring role
Jill Davies added:
“Working with the young people and their families who were actually going through this transition allowed us to put together really valuable resources to help others in the same position. The families were very keen for their child to get the most out of life as they grow older but the choices available can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Many parents are really concerned as to how their child would cope with living away from the family home and managing their own money. The resources are easy to use for both young people and their families and will help smooth what is a bumpy transition for any young person”.
Notes to editors
For more information please contact the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities press office on 020 7803 1130/28.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families.
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