We have been working with Inclusion International and our network to develop the Listen Include Respect guidelines, which explain how organisations should include people with intellectual disabilities in different parts of their work.

Now we need to get the guidelines in front of governments.

We need to raise awareness about the barriers that people with intellectual disabilities face in taking part in policymaking. And, we need to provide training to officials on including people with intellectual disabilities in policymaking.

How are we going to do this?

We are going to train self-advocates with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, to become consultants on inclusive organisations. They will support government organisations to better include people with intellectual disabilities in their work.

By supporting self-advocates to deliver this support, the decisions will best reflect their needs.

We are going to be working with the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA - England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) to create the first team of inclusion advisors. 

The team will get training from DSi to do their work.

Tia Nelis, a self-advocate with intellectual disabilities will be training the new DSA team. She says,

For the past year I have worked with Inclusion International on the Listen Include Respect Guidelines. Now I will be working with Down Syndrome International as a trainer and consultant. Because I know what it's like to live with disabilities, I want to help others feel strong and speak up for themselves. I teach, give advice, and work to make better systems for people with disabilities.

Learn more about this project and meet the team members on the Listen Include Respect UK project page:

Listen Include Respect UK

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What is Listen Include Respect?

The Listen Include Respect guidelines explain how organisations should include people with intellectual disabilities in different parts of their work.

The guidelines are important because right now, people with intellectual disabilities are not included in the work of organisations.

These guidelines can help organisations at different stages in their inclusion journey to take steps towards making their work more inclusive so that everyone can take part and share their valuable ideas.

Visit the Listen Include Respect website to learn more:

LISTEN INCLUDE RESPECT