Speak Out Hampshire helps create accessible website for people with learning disabilities
Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership have launched a new website, led by the experience of local self advocates.
Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership’s website is displayed in an Easy Read format with audio, text size and background colour options to make it as accessible as possible for people with learning disabilities.
Speak out Hampshire’s self-advocates led on its creation, using their own experiences of having a learning disability. They worked on the website’s content and design with Southampton-based Solent Creatives.
Launching the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership website
The Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership is made up of self advocates, parent carers and public bodies such as Hampshire County Council and the local NHS.
They came together at a disability forum event in Basingstoke to launch the website.
Leon, Trish and Fahmina from Speak Out Hampshire
Leon, who comes from the town and has been a self-advocate for more than 10 years, said:
“Giving out the business card to all the stallholders and talking to them about the website was great. I showed a few people how to access the website too, and we already have 20 extra views of the website.
I really enjoyed the day and it was something I would like to do again.
Fellow self-advocate Fahmina said: “I found it all interesting as I am new to Basingstoke. I could find out about the charities that are around and there is so much I would like to do, so I want to find out more. I loved being at the event and being involved.”
Amanda Lee, engagement and development officer at Hampshire County Council, said: “It has been great to see everyone’s enthusiasm and ideas create this interactive website.
“The self-advocates should be very proud of what they have achieved and how they have focused on building something that is helpful and accessible to people living in Hampshire who have a learning disability, so they too can find help and information when they want to.”
The self advocates are looking forward to adding guidance videos and more to the website over time.
Visit the website here: hldp.org.uk