FDF

'Can’t someone help you?'

That’s a question disabled people face all too often when we flag that something isn’t accessible.

There’s an expectation that someone is always by our side to complete tasks, which undermines our autonomy, privacy and independence.

Instead, ask: 'What can we do to make this accessible?'

This puts the focus back where it belongs: on removing barriers, rather than expecting disabled people to work around them.

Want to learn more about tackling disabling barriers?

👉 Have a read of our Social Model of Disability Toolkit: https://www.disabilitywales.org/resources/

Image description: White text on a navy background reads: Change the question. Change the impact. 'Can't someone help you?' with a red cross beside it and 'What can we do to make this more accessible?' with a green tick beside it. DW's logo is in the top right corner.

Dont struggle alone you can speak to people with lived experience.

# # # **ARFIDandME | A Voice That Deserves to Be Heard**

There is something about Macy's ARFID advocacy that we think deserves to be recognised.

Macy is non-speaking.

Yet read her words and there is no shortage of communication.

Her writing is thoughtful, articulate and considered. She asks difficult questions, reflects on her own experiences and, importantly, looks beyond herself to consider what other people living with ARFID may need.

That challenges an assumption that is still too easily made: that being non-speaking somehow means having less to say.

It doesn't.

**Not speaking is not the same as not communicating.**

Communication can take many forms. Writing, technology, gestures, signs, pictures and other forms of alternative and augmentative communication can all provide people with ways to express thoughts, feelings, choices and ideas.

Macy has chosen writing as one of the ways she communicates, and she is using it to advocate not only for herself but for others affected by ARFID.

That advocacy has now developed into something bigger.

Rather than simply raising awareness of ARFID, Macy wants to understand where the gaps are, listen to a wider range of experiences and work towards practical change.

That is why TCC is working alongside her.

Her story may have started this campaign, but it doesn't define where the campaign can go.

**The aim now is to create space for many more voices to be heard.**

People living with ARFID.
Parents and carers.
Professionals.
People with different experiences, different needs and different ways of communicating.

Because if we want to create better support, we first need to make sure we are listening to the people who experience the system.

And sometimes, the most important thing we can do is challenge our own assumptions about what a voice looks like.

**Macy has something important to say. We think people should listen.**

The UK Government’s six-week call for evidence on Carer’s Allowance is an important opportunity to push for much-needed reform of an outdated benefit which fails to reflect the realities of caring.

Share your views on Carer’s Allowance today: https://buff.ly/WqOBmab

We have been informed that the Wrexham Council contract for community agents has been pulled and they are currently looking for '' a new model of care '' Make of that what you will.

Community agents have been doing a sterling job supporting older people, disabled and lonely, isolated people.

Now that support has gone in the blink of an idea.

TheFDF Centre for Independent Living , who incidentally receive no Wrexham funding will pick up the pieces our only criteria is you have to be disabled, if you need advice, information, advocacy and befriending get in touch we won't let you down.

contact Grace on [email protected] 07597 450659

Zoe on [email protected] 07597 452162

Please don't be tempted to pay anybody for benefit advice we guarantee to contact you within 72 working hours

TheFDF is proud to be supporting the Wrexham Poverty Action Collaboration being led by our colleagues at TCC . Our Chief Officer recently attended the launch of their manifesto at Caia Park , Wrexham only by working together will we change the lives of children and young people, the elderly and the disabled. No child should be going to school hungry, no older person should be struggling to pay their bills and no disabled person should be unable to pay for the electricity they need for their all important equipment.
Hopefully the power holders will change their policies and find ways to improve the lives of so many people in need.

TheFDF CIL Inclusive and Equal

TheFDF Centre for Independent Living is actively seeking new Trustees.
if you are passionate about improving the lives of disabled people, if you are disabled yourself, do you have fundraising, marketing experience, or if you have HR, Social Media or bid writing experience get in touch.

www.thefdf.org.uk

[email protected]

TheFDF CIL Inclusive and Equal