Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities in England - Policy Brief

During 2020/21, Anna Marriott from NDTi was part of the research team looking at the impact coronavirus was having on people with learning disabilities. It was the largest scale research study about the pandemic to directly involve people with learning disabilities. The research team were also guided by an Advisory Group of people with learning disabilities.

The research team has published a Policy Brief and an Easy Read summary of this based on the findings in England. The study covered a wide range of topics, but in England, people with learning disabilities and family members have identified the issues in this Policy Brief as being the most important for policy and practice.

The Policy Brief looks at impact in 7 key areas, with recommendations for policy makers:

• Employment and money
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Social care services
• Health and health services
• Digital inclusion
• Information
• Experiences of people with greater support needs

People with learning disabilities from Speak Up, NWTDT / Pathways, Connect in the North, family carers from Inclusion East and PMLD Link and support workers from the Gr8 Support Movement have all made films to reinforce the Policy Brief recommendations.

Learning Disability England is holding a free members webinar about the research findings and the policy brief. It is called UK Covid Research: What have we learnt? It is on Friday 29th April 2022 at 10am. Find out more and members book here.