Could we have a disability board?

@HarleyQuinnn there is an autoimmune board.

I do think a disability board would be useful but so many of the 'specialisms boards are quiet. I'm as guilty as the next person of not using them daily.

Makes sense

Personally I prefer disabled, but it was felt that people with children who were just starting out might find SN more inclusive. If the opposite is true then surely it’s a simple task to rebrand as disabled.

I too post less now ds is older.

i have an adult dc who is disabled(CP) i posted on the sn topic when they were young, but once they became an adult it didn't seem the right place. the carers topic seems to be more about caring for parents. so wonder if someone like me would be welcome, I often need advice from her perspective(hope that makes sense)

I think it’s been discussed many times. For years only SN topics was for kids so only last few years having adults or parents with Disabilites was even a thing and then still called SN. Glad it’s not just me that thinks SN isn’t a relative tag today you can still have profound SENDS and still call yourself Disabled. Seems more inclusive to me.

Just as terms for LGBT or BAME change on a regular basis as society norms and language do it’s not really a surprise it effects Disability community as a whole too.

So basically those with physical disabilities don’t feel comfortable being grouped with those with non physical disabilities and when you read Special Needs, what you are receiving is Special EDUCATIONAL Needs?
. Honestly if that’s the case I think we shouldn’t be using SN for anyone.

I'd really love to have a disability board

I'm partially deaf and works not consider myself to have special needs. I work in an SEN school so do see it more as pupils with SEN. I'd much prefer a form called 'Disabilities', as somewhere adults with disabilities can go to chat. I'd love to find other d/Deaf or hard of hearing adults to talk to.

I would describe SN as relating to difficulties with or barriers to education, emotional control or stability, psychological issues, etc.
Whereas Disability would relate more to issues of physical disability, injuries or restrictions, pain, neurological symptoms, chronic or progressive illnesses etc.
Obviously one can exist alongside the other. And I'm not in any way suggesting that having SN isn't a disability. But that's not to say that being disabled is the same as having SN.

If I want advice on issues relating to my disability, I don't bother to look on MN. The lack of a specific board means that requests for advice get missed too easily. Specific Facebook or Reddit groups are much more helpful.

Oh yes please

Yes to me SN is very much in the classroom but can’t think how else’s SN adult would be described.

Yes please!

Yes please. Great idea OP.

Great idea..

Ive read several Threads where posters have been unaware of assistance and support available to them. 🌺

So if I work with someone who had autism I may need to change how I speak or respond to them or understand how they express things or understand they may work in differnt ways. Where as if joe over there is in a wheelchair there is nothing I need to change or do.

I think it’s more SN implies you need the world to adapt around you to support you with your disability. Which works well for plenty of disabilities because they need “special” adaptions and care. But if your just have physical disabilities then apart from step free access say you have no other adaptions or changes to how people live and work with you.

So it’s more a disability than a special need. Ie I can’t talk play work live with you as your needs are different enough that you need me to change my behaviour and ways to you to function fully or provide you with support.

It’s not a visible v invisible condition. Though many invisible conditions do need special considerations or their lives are difficult and stressful. But that’s just my take.

There was lots of discussion about terminology when we started splitting up the SN boards and lots wanted “disability” rather than SN but the consensus was SN was more inclusive. Interesting how things seem to have done a big flip to the other way of thinking. If the SN boards are only for SEN that should be made clear, if SN now implies ASD/ADHD/etc then I think it would be better to call it that. I’m slightly baffled by the idea that physical disability doesn’t “fit” with invisible disabilities

I’d support this as I do feel that SN and disability are different. I have cerebral palsy and other disabilities but adult so no educational needs, not “ill” as such but impacted in most aspects of life - work, health, exercise/fitness, housework and cooking, travel. I have SN but the adult section really doesn’t cover the things I’ve just described.

In the short term before a board is potentially set up...Anyone me suffering with pain is welcome to join us on this thread

CHRONIC PAIN - share your moans and achievements www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4188376-chronic-pain-share-your-moans-and-achievements

Brilliant idea.

Yes from me

Yes please, I’m recently diagnosed with cfs and have looked at a couple of relevant boards around the health section but never thought to look under “special needs”. It would be nice to have a proper obvious place