Learning disabilities

Patient perspectives: Having our say

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Self-advocacy
  3. Multimedia advocacy
  4. Personal testimonies

Introduction

It is important to allow patients with learning disabilities to be heard.

From the GMC's guidance

“You must share with patients, in a way they can understand, the information they want or need to know about their condition, its likely progression, and the treatment options available to them, including associated risks and uncertainties.” - GMC Good Medical Practice 22b

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy enables people with a learning disability to speak up for themselves and to make decisions about how they want to live their own lives. It means they can influence the design and delivery of services.

Multimedia advocacy

The Rix Centre champions multimedia advocacy as a range of different ways in which people with learning disabilities can have a stronger say in their lives and make their voices heard. Multimedia advocacy enables people to explore and understand their personal options and make informed choices, tell their own stories, plan ahead and communicate day-to-day using cameras, videos, microphones and computers.

Multimedia Advocacy is proving a really effective way to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities... and it can be fun to do for both users and supporters!

Read more about multimedia advocacy on the Rix Centre website.

Personal testimonies

"We are self advocates and this is what we want"

  • "Talk to me"
  • "Respect me as a person"
  • "Support me when I need support and let me do things for myself"
  • "Give me information that I can understand and support me to make my own choices"