Local disability committees

[Embrace]

A local disability committee is closing as they cant get younger parents to join.

I was wondering your thoughts on why parents today don't join committees as they used to?

Are older parents on these groups off putting? Are parents these days too busy? Do parents not see that they make any difference?? Do you feel you have more of a voice on line? etc etc

Would love to know :)

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Not sure. I know that our council has a disability group that meets monthly (it's actually through our Housing Association, but it's council backed). I've been invited to go, however, something always seems to come up and I can't make it.

I shall have to make more of an effort to get there though. I always worry that if there is low attendance the group would disappear.

[bochead]

Childcare!

Who looks after the disabled child pray tell, while Mum is in a meeting?

Time

Exhaustion - all those statement applications, wait list chases, caring carrot meetings, tribunals, home therapy sessions take up TIME. That means a parent who finds it hard to find the time to wash their own hair isn't gonna be able to attend some committee meeting.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Yes, the only reason I can even consider going to these meetings is that they are lunchtime meetings, always on a school day.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

Mine is held at a location that takes ages to get to via public transport, at times like 2pm which would make it impossible to get back for the school run and doesn't allow preschoolers or provide child care.

Younger parents often have less resources to get to these things and toddlers.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Starlight that's a pretty silly time for them to hold it, knowing it pretty much rules out anyone with school age children from attending.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

I think it is't so bad a time if you drive. However an assumption that everyone has access to personal transport when you are talking about disadvantaged families with increased chances of poverty is a bit silly.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Ours is over lunch time, as everyone is advised to bring a sack lunch, and they eat during the meeting. Coffee and tea provided. I think that's a good idea.