As part of Learning Disabilities Week 2021, Nido Volans students and staff at our Bromley Campus took part in a campaign to raise awareness of the needs and culture of people with learning disabilities.
This year's national Learning Disability Week took place earlier in June 2021 and the theme was art and creativity. Our campaign ran from Monday 21 to Friday 25 June and expanded on issues of communication.
To increase awareness of the additional barriers, assumptions and attitudes that impact the inclusion and development of people with learning disabilities, the staff and students decided to create a series of promotional materials to help people understand and engage with them.
The campaign included a video, introducing some of our learners who then talked about their disability and how they communicate, a ‘Bill of Rights’ and ‘How to Support’ posters detailing how to interact effectively and show respect, a poem about inclusion by a member of staff, a series of images of staff performing Makaton sign language and a joyous rendition of ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ sung by the students.
Maggie Stephenson, SEND Transitions & Support Manager and Disability Equality Champion was immensely proud of the work the students and staff put into the campaign. She said: “It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm demonstrated by staff and students to get involved in the disability awareness promotional materials. It was about promoting a higher level of whole college awareness and understanding the barriers faced by disabled people.
“It was a privilege to work with everyone to help promote a higher level of whole college understanding of disabilities and to change attitudes, perceptions and actions so that people with disabilities are fully included and have the opportunities to participate fully in their communities.”
LB