Scottish Learning Disability Week 2024 – Dylan and Darren

This week is Scottish Learning Disability Week, a campaign celebrating the rich contribution people with learning disabilities make to society, as well as working to ensure people receive full and fair access to all their rights.

Each year has a different theme and this year the theme is ‘Digital Inclusion’. To mark the week, we are sharing examples of how staff throughout our Hillcrest Futures services support people with disabilities to use digital technology and platforms safely to stay connected with friends and family, and access information and entertainment.

Today we hear from Dylan and Darren who are supported by our Birkdale service in Dundee. Dylan is supported to use his laptop to listen to music and watch videos on YouTube. Staff also helped Dylan set up an account on Tay FM so he can listen to music anytime he wants.

He uses his phone daily to contact family members, especially his mum. Dylan said: “I love being able to contact my mum whenever I want by myself. I like to voice note and video call her as this is easiest for me.”

Meanwhile staff support Darren to play games on his iPad, and watch YouTube. He also has a mobile phone which he uses to call his mum and nana. Darren said “I am happy I am able to speak to my nana every day.”