Lots going on

Hi readers, it’s Kerry here, following on from last week’s article, talking about accessible toilets!

If you need to use one, you’ll know how important they are. When planning any outing, I need to know if there’s one that’s suitable for me, and where it is. The best are Changing Places, which for some people are a necessity.

Unfortunately, there aren’t as many accessible toilets as you’d think, and very few Changing Places. Even some, like on Weymouth beach, are inaccessible in other ways, as you must get the key from the library or ‘beach attendant’. Not ideal for anyone needing the toilet outside of attendant hours or library opening times!

More on this another time. This week, me and Emily want to know what you think of The Assembly on ITV. Not watched it?  Imagine a group of people interviewing celebrities - Danny Dyer, David Tennant and Jade Thirlwall– and the interviewers all have a learning disability, neurodiversity or autism.

It's not like anything we’ve seen before, except a pilot episode of it on BBC last year (Michael Sheen).  Our view is that it’s a game changer, as the public will (hopefully) view people with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity more positively. Imagine people like Keir Starmer, King Charles or Elon Musk being interviewed. In France they interviewed President Macron, so it’s possible. Who wouldn’t tune in? Please tell us what you think?

Next Monday we meet MP Liam Conlan to talk about many things we think government are getting wrong for people with a learning disability, and to make sure our voices are heard. We will let you know how that goes. Finally, did you see us on the Dorset Council Facbeook and website this week. Thank you, Dorset Council, for sharing the work we do!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff