Get a greater understanding of the social barriers facing people with learning disability

A new series of Engage! Workshops will offer practical hints and tips on how to best communicate and effectively engage people with learning disability, all of which can be incorporated into or enhance the learning and practices in your own organisation and day to day activities.

The workshops are led by leading expert tutors Janice Eaglesham and Ian Mirfin and co-delivered by British sports stars with learning disability all of whom have competed on the international stage. They will share the secrets of their success, their views and their experiences on how best we can all communicate more effectively and confidently with people with learning disability.

During the workshops you will be introduced you to the "Change 1 Thing” Campaign and you will be invited to get involved to help raise awareness of people with learning disability, help recognise their achievements in and out of sport, and help stimulate action for further change.

Why should you attend?

These workshops are relevant at every level including chief executives, managers, coaches, trainers, policy makers, leaders, and those that want to position their organisation at the forefront of good accessible inclusive practice.

We all need to better engage with people with learning disability either as athletes, associates, customers, colleagues or employees.

Why are these workshops important?

According to the Department of Health the number of adults with learning disability is predicted to increase by 11 per cent between 2001 and 2021. This would raise the number of people in England alone to over one million by 2021 (individual figures available for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).

Research has shown that people with learning disability, who gain employment, are far less likely to be absent from work, and far more likely to spend a longer period of time with the same employer.
People with learning disability are under-represented in sport. However it’s widely accepted that this is an environment in which people with learning disability could excel.

How to book?

The workshops will be held in:

• Loughborough (27th April) – co delivered by athletes Martina Barber and Marcel Hodge
• Manchester (28th April) – co delivered by athletes Peter Millar and Christopher Edwards
• Swansea (3rd May) – co delivered by athletes Jack Thomas and Jonny Gale
• Belfast (May: Date TBC)

Click on the relevant workshop near you to go to the booking page. Special early bird rate of just £25.00 until 15th April 2016. Full priced tickets at £35.00 thereafter. 

Our workshops are made possible with the support of our funding partner Spirit of 2012, a trust set up to sustain the spirit and opportunities from the London 2012 Games. And our members Disability Sport Wales (DSW), Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI).

To request a copy of our workshop brochure or to find out more information, contact us or visit our website