SCIE media releases 2004

SCIE helps to map out the road ahead for young people with learning difficulties

24 November 2004

An easy to read version of this media release is available in PDF format.

• Click here to see the easy to read media release (84kb PDF file)

SCIE has launched a new web-based resource today 24 November 2004 at the Learning Disability Today exhibition which provides comprehensive information on what young people with learning difficulties who are making the transition from teenager to adult and their parents need to know to make the transition easier.

The project, called The Road Ahead, interviewed young people, their parents and supporters about the kind of information needed to help young people get ready for adult life and to help them manage and enjoy their lives.

It also looked at what information was already available to the estimated one third of a million young people with learning difficulties and their parents.

SCIE undertook the project in response to the government white paper, Valuing People, which highlighted the difficulties confronted by young people with learning difficulties and their families at the time of transition from teenager to adult.

The resulting research and findings, which are presented on the SCIE website in both standard format and in an easy read version, are aimed at helping service providers, advocacy organisations, voluntary organisations and others involved with young people with learning difficulties and their families, to understand what sort of information young people, their parents and supporters want and how to present it to them.

The easy read version of the resource, which was developed by the Rix Centre on behalf of SCIE, was based on the recommendations put forward by the young people for how they want information presented and is a leading example in how to provide information for young people with learning difficulties.

The Road Ahead is a unique blend of traditional research with innovation and new technology.

The research, which was conducted by the Norah Fry Research Centre, the North Somerset People First Transition Team and the Home Farm Trust, found that there are many resources available to support young people and their families through transition, but that they vary hugely in format and details, ranging from fact sheets to a 246-page pack.

They found that there was insufficient information available on employment, the transition to college, handling money and sex and relationships.

Most alarming was that there was little information that would support young people to be in charge of their lives, such as guidance on daily and healthy living.

The research identified a list of things young people, parents and supporters want to know, ranging from wanting to know about how person-centred choices can be accessed locally, to friends, sex and relationships, and to what rights, entitlements and procedures exist at a national level e.g. direct payments.

It also clarified how young people need and want information presented, such as how they want it to look and what alternative formats websites should use, such as audio and video.

Principal Advisor on Learning Disabilities at SCIE, David Ellis, said, The Road Ahead will be a key resource for people working with young people with learning difficulties and their families. It will enable them to identify quickly and clearly what information they need to provide and how best to provide it.

"Hopefully, it will mean that the information people are providing becomes more meaningful and useful to the hundreds of thousands of young people with learning difficulties and their families, and enable them to live more independently," he said.

The Road Ahead can be accessed at www.scie.org.uk/tra

Media contact

Margaret Lynch | Press Officer | T: 020 7089 6858 | M: 07834 194 896

Notes to editors

What information do people want about transition?

People want to know:

• what transition is, who is involved and the different roles they have to play - whether as young person, parent, supporter, social worker, teacher or Connexions Personal Adviser.
• what rights, entitlements and procedures exist at a national level. This includes information on changes in funding and benefits and explanation of terms such as: Supported living; Direct Payments; and Health Action Plans.
• how the transition process works locally: its structure and process.
• how person centred choices can be accessed locally.
• what services are available locally and what options might be developed for the individual through different agencies. This information should be up to date and include relevant contact details.
• what support is available to young people and families throughout the transition process and into adult life. Are there specific transition workers or keyworkers locally?

How to present information about transition

• It should be age appropriate, using adult-looking images and language which is clearly understood by young people.
• Text should be large.
• Sentences should be short, clear and use easy words. Long words should be explained.
• Layout should be clear, with lots of space around the text and pictures.
• Small amounts of information should be provided at a time (with links to further information where appropriate).
• Pictures should be used to convey the messages within the text.
• Pictures should be clear and simple. Each picture should convey one message. Pictures should not use words to get their message across. 
• The pictures and text should be checked out with young people with learning difficulties to see that they understand them as intended.

Websites providing information for young people should:

• use colour, be inviting, fun and easy to use
• use colour or symbol coding and easily recognisable buttons to help navigate around the site
• use activities and interesting examples, to help young people understand the text and apply the messages to their own lives.