13 August 2013
Minister views award-winning work at PAMIS
Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell MSP today visited the University of Dundee-based charity PAMIS to see for herself the exceptional work being carried out on behalf of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their families.
Ms Campbell met with PAMIS staff, service users and their families and carers at University House today. Staff outlined the work they have been carrying out over the past 21 years as well as current campaigns and successes during a presentation to the Minister, who will be meeting young people with PMLD and their families in order better to understand the challenges they face and the support they receive from PAMIS.
Ms Campbell said, 'PAMIS place children and families at the heart of their work and take into account their views on issues that affect them. It was great to meet the families and professionals and hear more about their work to make things better for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their families.
'As a Government we are committed to equality for disabled children and young people in Scotland and to ensuring that all children can achieve their potential.'
Founded 21 years ago, PAMIS is the only organisation in Scotland that works solely with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families. People with such complex disabilities require a high level of support. As well as having very significant developmental delay, the majority of people with PMLD are lifelong wheelchair users and are also likely to have sensory impairments with either vision or hearing affected, and in some cases, limitations to both senses.
PAMIS gives direct practical and emotional support to family carers, as well as working closely with professionals and paid carers. Its programmes range from improving access to good quality healthcare to enabling participation in the life of the community, particularly through involvement in leisure activities. PAMIS also conducts research which is directly relevant to the needs of people with PMLD and their families.
Improving community access has been a particular focus of PAMIS' work. The 'Changing Places, Changing Lives' campaign was begun in 2006. This has led to the installation of fully accessible toilets throughout Scotland and the UK and has recently extended to Germany. Their availability enables people with PMLD and their families to participate in the life of the community with dignity and at no risk to their health.
Changing places toilets are different to conventional disabled toilets as they contain specialist equipment including hoists and adult-sized changing benches to allow those with complex disabilities to visit and be supported in public conveniences with dignity and safety. Extra space is also incorporated to accommodate up to two carers.
The aim is to establish 100 such toilets throughout Scotland by 2015. The number in England now well over 500.
PAMIS Director Loretto Lambe welcomed Ms Campbell to Dundee saying, 'We are delighted to be able to showcase our work to the Minister and to allow her to meet some of the young people with PMLD and their families and carers that we work with.
'People with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families face many barriers to accessing and participating in the community and we work on a number of fronts to enable inclusion and improve their quality of life. The impact our work is having is highlighted by the fact that the recent Scottish Government strategy document, 'The Keys to Life', identified our work as being a vital to the new national strategy for disability.'
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
