Enabling disabled people to have control of their own services through individualised funding (with or without brokerage) is only happening slowly - but it is happening. However, few people with learning difficulties are being given this chance, and there is generally an enormous resistance from vested interests to the idea. I'd be interested in developing a discussion about strategies to get things moving faster. Steve Dowson
Does anyone know of people with learning difficulties buying their own home - ie genuinely owning it, not just having a nominal or collective claim to it? The particularly interest is in making it work in the UK context, but international comparisons, success stories and problems will also be useful. Info to Steve Dowson, please.
The UK Sunday paper, The Observer (1/10/95), featured 16-year-old Mared's success in her school exams. What made it special? - Mared has Down's syndrome. Her parent's, both teachers, knew their rights and have made sure that Mared stayed at an ordinary school. As the Observer said - "in spite of several research studies which prove that children with Down's syndrome perform better in mainstream schools, many authorities continue to implement a policy of segregation". Mared's success may help to change that. We're still a long way, however, from public acceptance that even people who can't pass GCSE exams still have a right to an ordinary school and an ordinary life.
