From: PSAMSON254@aol.com Sent: 14 February 2011 01:00 To: DWP Consultation DLAReform Cc: bill.wonderley@talktalk.net; mike.tomlinson@hotmail.co.uk; abiggs39@hotmail.com; kazzakk@hotmail.com; susan-jones19@sky.com; karentann@yahoo.com; haddoncottage@hotmail.com; tinaski@hotmail.co.uk Subject: WIRRAL SILC CONSULTATION PAPER on DLA/Personal Independence Payment WIRRAL SILC (Supported Independent Living in the Community) To whom it may concern We are responding both on behalf of ourselves, as carers, to our daughter/stepdaughter who suffers from Severe Learning Difficulties, Autism, Epilepsy and speech difficulties, and also a group of eight families, (Wirral SILC), each of whom have a young adult between 21 and 26 years of age with Learning Difficulties and other associated disabilities. We have only recently just been made aware of this consultation paper, and wish to make the following comments, rather than responding to 22 individual questions, given submissions must close on 14 February. In the paper, there are many references to people with physical disabilities (adaptations, aids, falls, tumbles, walking etc), BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE REFERENCE MADE TO LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. In the main, this has been a consistent shortcoming in any forms which have had to be filled in on behalf of my daughter over the years, whether it be for DLA, Incapacity Benefit or any other benefit. Once again, the same is happening again. People with a PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY always seem to receive a lot more sympathy and compassion from other people because people can often see the disability. Yet those with a physical disability are often able to express themselves, think for themselves, drive and take responsibility for their own lives, socially engage, plan their activities, work if able to, compete in paraplegic games etc. However, those with SEVERE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES in the main, are unable to do many of these things. They have to rely more on family carers, and other support, often 24/7. The carers themselves are in more need of respite care, which is now being further savagely cut back by local authorities throughout the country, including our own Wirral Council, as a result of the October Government Strategic Spending Review. These are some of the most vulnerable people in life, yet even within this consultation paper, this group of vulnerable people seem to be overlooked, on the assumption that a disability is always physical. We hear from many government sources that the most vulnerable are to be protected, but to date, the evidence is not supporting these statements from Ministers, as at every turn, another obstacle seems to be put in front of us. There are fears amongst carers (don't forget that those with Severe Learning Difficulties are often unable to express themselves or communicate, so are reliant on carers to do so) that this exercise is yet another attempt to reduce the help being given to them and their loved ones. Whilst it is interesting to note that PIP proposes to carry out individual assessments on claimants, and in looking at everyday tasks there is no recognition in the consultation paper towards those with LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. For instance, unable to handle money, unable to tell the time, unable to use a phone, unable to make a decision, unaware of time, unable to read a timetable, unable to set an alarm clock, unable to state their home address or phone number, and many other examples taken for granted by a normal person. None of these sort of questions have ever appeared in any claim form to date, with just a simple Yes/No answer able to be given. All these types of difficulties, and that is without even considering the attention to personal needs required to be given by carers or support workers for 24/7, that need to be given attention to in developing PIP. These vulnerable people are NEVER going to be able to work independently and are suffering from a life long disability. They will ALWAYS require some level of support, even if living in a group supported independent living, which our particular group are trying to set up. So some system does need to be developed so that those with a Severe Learning Difficulty are tagged so that they are not needlessly being subjected to frequent reviews. It is stated that those with a TERMINAL illness will be considered as a special case. From personal experience, I lost both my parents to cancer. Both required a lot of personal family and outside care and support in their final days. We can say that the day to day stress, anxiety, work in supporting a loved one suffering from SLD far exceeds that of losing my parents because the activities in supporting SLD are relentless, day after day, week after week, year after year. We hope note will be taken in addressing our concerns expressed in the above comments, especially in regards to the government promises to protect the most vulnerable in society. Peter and Tina Samson plus Wirral SILC menbers: Mr & Mrs B Wonderley Mr & Mrs M Tomlinson Mr & Mrs A Biggs Mr & Mrs C Jones Mr & Mrs M Jones Mrs K Tanner Mrs H Solomon