Small things big difference project

Building Bridges are working on a project about ‘reasonable adjustments’; and the small things that staff in mainstream services can do, that can make a big difference to people with a learning disability.

We are finding out what reasonable adjustments people with a learning disability would like. We are working with 2 colleagues from the Institute for Community Research and Development at the University of Wolverhampton. Following our 3 world cafes in August, we are now thinking about the small changes that can make a big difference. Many people are asking for written information to be shorter, simpler and in a bigger font. And ideally in an easy read format. People used their phones and tablets for many types of activities, but again found the user interface too small. And remembering passwords is hard. One person was given a tablet but they can’t use it as they’ve forgotten their password!

A summary of our findings will be ready at the end of the year. When we have finished, we’ll be updating our leaflet for staff working in frontline services such as banks, shops, advice centres, sports centres and libraries. For example giving people an appointment card rather than telling them verbal information, and sending text reminders.

If you have any good ideas about how to get this new leaflet out to the people who need to see it, please let us know.

We will be including Teresa’s Top Tip! She says many people with a learning disability don’t answer their phone if they don’t recognise the number. So they could miss important phone calls.

Teresa says; "please send a text first to say your name, where you work, what you need to call about and the date and time you will call." Then she will know it’s okay to answer the phone when you call.