Page 26 - Community Living Magazine 36-1

arts: books

Watching world events refugees at all but became interested,
Some people were not aware of
concerned and empathetic after reading
the story. Others were much more aware
than anyone had realised, even
There is a huge demand among people with learning identifying a detention centre. People
disabilities for information that helps them understand global came away with a much greater
understanding of refugees’ experiences.
affairs and the news, says Alicia Wood Graham Stephens (not his real name), a

member of one of our book clubs, had
heard negative things about refugees
ver the past few years, with the from other people in his area.
pandemic, the Afghanistan refugee When he started to read A Refugee’s
Ocrisis and the war in Ukraine, world Story, he said refugees were complaining
affairs have often felt frightening. about the food they got and should be
For people with learning disabilities, it grateful for what they were given.
can be even more overwhelming – While reading the book, however,
particularly without an opportunity to talk Stephens reflected on how he would feel
about and understand what is happening. if he had to flee to a foreign country and
In 2021, when Covid hit, Beyond Words eat unfamiliar food: “When you are
first produced information and resources feeling scared, you need food that makes
in response to current events. Our series you feel better. If I went to another
of books and downloads covered topics country, I’d want burgers and chips.”
such as vaccination, how to get through We are expanding our news-related
contracting Covid and even socialising and information. Our latest short story, When
falling in love through lockdown. Book club members gave thoughtful comments the War Came, aims to explain the war in
The response was overwhelming. We and learned words after reading A Refugee’s Story Ukraine and follows a woman and her
had an unprecedented 50,000 downloads children as they leave their home country.
over the pandemic. Founded by Professor Sheila the There are others working to bring news
It is often assumed that people with Baroness Hollins more than 30 years ago, to people with a more accessible format.
learning disabilities are not interested in Beyond Words uses pictures and visual United Response, a charity supporting
what is going on around them or do not literacy (so people can read pictures for young people and adults with mental
have the capacity to make sense of it. information, essentially) to tell stories and health needs and physical and learning
But, when we focus only on what start conversations. disabilities, provides a regularly updated,
we think is easy or important to What we create is targeted, easy-read version of news articles.
understand, we limit someone’s ability appropriately, to the situations that affect
to grow, to learn, to understand and people most, helping them to develop an Access for all
to empathise with those who have understanding of everyday matters such as The Accessible Information Standard was
different experiences. working, going to the hospital or making introduced in 2016 to make sure people
People with learning disabilities learn sense of their feelings. We have published with disabilities or sensory loss are able to
about the news from what they see and 60 titles on these kinds of issues. get information more easily. Learning
hear and the anxieties and worries of After the pandemic, we recognised Disability England’s Accessible Information
others. Being able to understand what is the appetite for word-free information Campaign by lobbying the government to
happening in the wider world is key to that makes news and world affairs act on its promises in this area.
engaging with your community and issues more accessible. We believe everyone should have
that may affect your life or emotions. We followed up our Covid work access to information in
with a short version of a story ways they can
News, explained about the refugee crisis understand, no matter
It is important to make sure people have in Afghanistan. their level of ability.
access to not only the news but also Earlier this year, we released Through stories, we
appropriate information. Often, written the full-length book version of can build understanding
articles or television broadcasts are overly A Refugee’s Story, following and empathy,
complex or filled with distressing imagery extensive trialling in both enabling us to create
that can be difficult for people to process. learning disability and relationships, be part of
Little is aimed at people with learning refugee communities. the world and contribute
disabilities – and even less dedicated to This trialling took place at to the community.
individuals who cannot read words at all. some of our 25 book clubs It is time to start
Beyond Words is a London-based, around the UK and at various including people with
not-for-profit organisation dedicated to local advocacy, social and learning disabilities in
helping people with learning disabilities community groups. This revealed conversations about the world they live in
or additional communication needs thoughtful comments on the plight of as well as their own lives. n
better understand and empathise with refugees. The book increased awareness
the world around them through word-free and brought in new understanding. Some Alicia Wood is chief executive at Beyond Words
picture resources. groups even learned new vocabulary. Beyond Words

26 Vol 36 No 1 | Autumn 2022 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk