Do you see me?

The theme this year for Learning Disability Week is ‘do you see me?’ which aims to highlight why it is important that people with a learning disability feel heard and seen. Natalie, customer voice officer, led the session and asked Sandra, Carl, and Fiona why it is important to them that they feel listened to and to have their say.

Sandra

Sandra shared that it is important for everyone with a learning disability to be listened to and have a voice. “It's important to be listened to because it's respectful,” says Sandra.

Sandra talked about why it is important to have your say. “There might be people out there who do not have a voice. People like us who have a disability and who have a voice can engage with people and tell them - this is me.

“You should respect people that have got a disability as well. I think they should respect that person because they could know someone who has a disability, like someone in their family.”

Carl

Carl also agreed that it is important for everyone with a learning disability to be listened to so people can get to know who you are. He said: “People who listen to me can then know what I am like. I like to listen to people and the support staff, so I know what I am doing.”

Carl talked about why it is important to have your say. “I listen to other people, and I think of other people and what they say to me.

“If you listen to the person that you're talking to. I think it is better to just come out with what you think as well.”

Fiona

Fiona talked to the group about the importance of being listened to properly and people taking in what you have to say. 

“My voice needs to be heard. I want them to listen to what I have to say because it helps if they listen to what I am saying. It is like you are listening to me now and you are taking in what I'm saying.

“It feels good when people have answered you. I like that. If people have not answered you, then they are not taking in what you have said,” says Fiona.

Fiona talked about why it is important to have your say. She said: “You have got a voice, and you want to be heard. I think that if you are going to talk, you need to have a clear voice. And it should be heard by the person who is listening to you.”