Community Living Magazine

Severe conditions set out in law People deemed to have lifelong, severe health conditions do not have to be reassessed for benefits. The criteria that define these are to be established in law in April. Charlie Callanan reports

The severe conditions criteria (SCC) policy was introduced several years ago to help ensure that the most severely disabled people did not have to be reassessed for claiming for out-of-work benefits.

communitylivingmagazine.com/severe-condi...

Solution to hospital fear Elvi, Sam Carlisle‘s daughter, is terrified of hospitals. Thanks to a determined nurse who thought her physical health needed a check, she had numerous investigations under anaesthetic at one visit

The hospital staff told us they had never done anything like this before and that they will create an Elvi pathway for others with learning disabilities. @samcarlisle.bsky.social
#healthcare

communitylivingmagazine.com/solution-to-...

Meader's View: Winter 2026 The latest from Community Living cartoonist Robin Meader

The latest from Community Living cartoonist Robin Meader.

communitylivingmagazine.com/meaders-view...

Parents reject verdict on death A verdict of natural causes was given because a coroner could not ascertain why a young man died after being unable to undergo medical tests and sent home from hospital. George Julian reports

A verdict of natural causes was given because a coroner could not ascertain why a young man died after being unable to undergo medical tests and sent home from hospital. @georgejulian.bsky.social reports.
communitylivingmagazine.com/parents-reje...

Saba Salman: Progress in healthcare is pitifully slow Evidence of inequality stacks up, as do suggestions for action, yet change on the ground is slow.

New stories out now! Evidence of health inequality has stacked up for years, along with the list of necessary actions - yet change on the ground is pitifully slow.

Here's @sabasalman.com intro to some of our latest stories.
communitylivingmagazine.com/saba-salman-...

Community Living The campaigning magazine on equality, inclusion and living life: learning disabilities, care, health, welfare, housing, arts and more

New stories out now! One aim this issue is to show what works in healthcare, employment and in people's artistic and social lives. Our first issue of the year features brilliant contributors like @samcarlisle.bsky.social @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social
communitylivingmagazine.com

*NEW* stories Friday 9 Oct, including stories by and with:
@citylit.bsky.social @ndtihello.bsky.social
@maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social
@samcarlisle.bsky.social @policypress.bsky.social
Become part of our network with a subscription
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*NEW* stories Friday 9 Oct, including stories by and with: @citylit.bsky.social @ndtihello.bsky.social @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social @samcarlisle.bsky.social @policypress.bsky.social
communitylivingmagazine.com

Mental Health Bill 2025: easy read Plans to change the law that tells people what to do if they need to stay in hospital after a mental health crisis.

At the end of 2025 the Mental Health Bill received Royal Assent - this means became law.

It aims to make care fairer, give people more choice, and make sure people are treated with respect.

Read more about mental health bill in Easy Read here: tinyurl.com/yu377m3u

Murderer or misguided? A man was arrested after trying to kill himself and his learning-disabled son to reunite their family. Simon Jarrett watches a documentary on a difficult case that crosses legal and moral worlds

A man was arrested after trying to kill himself and his learning-disabled son to reunite their family. Our arts correspondent Simon Jarrett watches a documentary on a difficult case that crosses legal and moral worlds.
communitylivingmagazine.com/murderer-or-...

Shalim Ali: what to think about and do when support staff change A change in support worker can be overwhelming – for all involved, not just the person getting the support – so it’s important it’s done well. Here’s how it’s worked for me

A change in support worker can be overwhelming – for all involved, not just the person getting the support – so it’s important it’s done well. Here’s how it’s worked for me

communitylivingmagazine.com/shalim-ali-w...

More than words Sound artist Ruby Colley has worked with her brother Paul, who is non-verbal, to create an album and performance piece. She talks to Saba Salman about transcending the norms of communication

Sound artist @rubycolleymusic.bsky.social has worked with her brother Paul, who is non-verbal, to create an album and performance piece. She talks to @sabasalman.com about transcending the norms of communication.

communitylivingmagazine.com/more-than-wo...

How to get an Annual Health Check - Dimensions easy read and plain text guide on how to get an Annual Health Check

Are you on the Learning Disability Register?

You can only get an invite to a free Annual Health Check if you are. It’s held by GP surgeries to make sure people with learning disabilities and autistic people get the right support.

Dimensions Easy Read guide to AHC: tinyurl.com/bdhxthe5

‘Villains are much more interesting’ Actor and director Otto Baxter has won Bafta and Emmy awards. He talks to Seán Kelly about running things on set and his horror films past and future, including one inspired by his being adopted

The first time I met award-winning actor and film director
Otto Baxter, he told me that I was a “very old Hoover”.

The comment was made in an upbeat, friendly tone after his first film’s London screening in 2023.
@seankellyphotos.bsky.social

communitylivingmagazine.com/villains-are...

Chris Hatton: absence from health plan casts a worrying shadow History shows that, without specific, monitored initiatives, people with learning disabilities experience discrimination in healthcare – but they seem overlooked in the 10-year health plan

A target about making sure people with learning disabilities get annual health checks has been dropped from NHS priority and planning guidance. Prof Chris Hatton @learningmet.bsky.social @manmetuni.bsky.social

communitylivingmagazine.com/chris-hatton...

Red austerity in the UK… and in the US The left-wing government in the UK and its right-wing US counterpart both have people with disabilities in their sights. Mary O’Hara talks to advocates, family members and professionals

The left-wing government in the UK and its right-wing US counterpart both have people with disabilities in their sights. @maryohara1.bsky.social talks to advocates, family members and professionals.
communitylivingmagazine.com/red-austerit...

Tortuous transition to adult life The process of finding an adult home for my daughter nearly broke me, says Sam Carlisle, with an obstructive care board, unscrupulous care home companies and being kept in the dark

The process of finding an adult home for my daughter nearly broke me, says @samcarlisle.bsky.social with an obstructive care board, unscrupulous care home companies and being kept in the dark.
communitylivingmagazine.com/tortuous-tra...

Lack of adjustments led to death Wrong decisions on care and medication were made because allowances were not made regarding Myles Scriven’s learning disability and autism. George Julian reports

Myles Scriven: his needs were apparent but were not met, the coroner ruled. @georgejulian.bsky.social reports.

communitylivingmagazine.com/lack-of-adju...

How to get a school support plan Education, health and care plans are intended to ensure children receive the support they need but the system is complex and councils struggle with the cost – so reforms are on the horizon. Maria Shah...

Families are being failed by a lack of SEND support - the system is woefully inadequate. @propjourn.bsky.social
reports on EHCPs and tribunals.
#SEND

communitylivingmagazine.com/how-to-get-a...

With party conference season in full swing, here's one take from our cartoonist Robin Meader.

communitylivingmagazine.com/meaders-view...

Caring doesn’t take a holiday Despite new laws to give parent carers a break, support for disabled children over the summer break remains painfully limited and mothers in particular have to step in, says Shubhanna Hussain

Despite new laws to give parent carers a break, support for disabled children over the summer break remains painfully limited and mothers in particular have to step in, says @shubhanna.bsky.social

communitylivingmagazine.com/caring-doesn...

Training programme to meet the medical needs of adults with a learning disability

Applications open for PGCert course in meeting the medical needs of adults with learning disability. Relevant for any clinical specialty, and to doctors, senior nurses and AHPs. Fully funded for applicants from England

#MedSky #LearningDisability

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Saba Salman: Defiance and unity vital as rights are hit The UK and US are taking remarkably similar routes when it comes to undermining people’s rights

New stories out now! As the risk to rights and access continues apace, meet those taking positive action.

Here's @sabasalman.com intro to some of our latest stories.

communitylivingmagazine.com/saba-salman-...

Easy News: Autism and Paracetamol - United Response

Easy Read: Autism and Paracetamol

Did you see this resource from United Response? It explains in plain language how some people claimed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy might cause autism — and what the evidence actually shows.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/bdhdmwpj

Community Living The campaigning magazine on equality, inclusion and living life: learning disabilities, care, health, welfare, housing, arts and more

New stories out now! As the risk to rights and access continues apace, meet those taking positive action
communitylivingmagazine.com With @maryohara1.bsky.social @propjourn.bsky.social @learningdiseng.bsky.social @seankellyphotos.bsky.social @samcarlisle.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social

NEW stories out tomorrow Friday 3 Oct, including:
- what's cooking

- UK and US cuts @maryohara1.bsky.social

- EHCP challenge @propjourn.bsky.social

- accessible healthcare @learningdiseng.bsky.social

- Barriers to Adult Life @samcarlisle.bsky.social

communitylivingmagazine.com

When neglect is built in The enjoyment of something as basic as eating can be compromised by social segregation and dental care so poor it could amount to systemic violence, argues Sara Ryan in this extract from her latest bo...

This vital book by Prof Sara Ryan @sarasiobhan.bsky.social
has just been launched, there’s a preview in our current issue communitylivingmagazine.com/when-neglect...
and you can find out more here mmu.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

@manmetuni.bsky.social

Made visible through portraits People with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are rarely represented in the media and the arts, and their personalities and individuality are not often highlighted. A photography proj...

Front and Centre, by rights-based organisation Changing Our Lives, highlights the lives of 14 people with PMLD.
The project uses family portraiture to share the stories of individuals whose voices are often unheard.
#inclusion #learningdisability
communitylivingmagazine.com/made-visible...

Ian Goldsworthy: the hairiest of issues when it comes to personal care The fact that I have to shave my 20-year-old son each morning astonishes people. Our morning routine requires a complicated choreography – and only I know the steps to this dance

@iangoldsworthy.bsky.social

The fact that I have to shave my 20-year-old son each morning astonishes people. Our morning routine requires a complicated choreography – and only I know the steps to this dance.

communitylivingmagazine.com/ian-goldswor...