The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) last week said that there are at least 1.2 million disabled parents - including adults with learning difficulties, mental health difficulties, physical and sensory impairments - in Britain who often face additional barriers in getting their needs recognised and met, and in accessing mainstream services. These barriers range from not being able to access parent and toddler groups or school buildings to information only being available in printed form.
Clem Henricson, NFPI head of research, said, 'Disabled parents may come up against barriers in many aspects of their role, from feeding their baby to attending a school parents' evening or being able to go on holiday as a family. While many local authorities are beginning to recognise the parenting responsibilities of disabled parents, there is still much to be done.'
The NFPI wants to hear from disabled parents about the kind of support they have found, or would find, helpful in making parenting less difficult. It also wants people and organisations working with parents to get in touch about developing policies and services.
The project is part of a major research programme conducted for the NFPI by Richard Olsen of the University of Leicester and Helen Tyers, who works with local authorities in developing policies for disabled parents, and is supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
To participate in the research visit the NFPI website at www.nfpi.org/disabledparents or call freephone 0800 328 1720.