ALaDDIN is Leeds’ Autism and Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network. The network is made up of different organisations, and supported by a Digital Inclusion Coordinator, Nicky Lines.
The ALaDDIN Consultation Group is made up of people with lived experience of autism and learning disability, who represent organisations in the network.
We’d like to say a big thank you to the Positive Changes Group for supporting our work.
who we are
This is Maisie. She enjoys dog walking, going for coffees, seeing friends and shopping. She works as a community connector for Royal Mencap.
This is Stephen R. He enjoys going to the cinema, going to the theatre and seeing his friends and family. He has lived in Manchester, Wales and Yorkshire.
This is Roz. She supports Stephen R and lives in Todmorden. She is excellent at making everyone cups of tea and coffee!
This is Jamie. She loves going to the theatre, spending time with her niece and her family. Jamie works at the Watsonia café.
This is Stephen H. He works at the Salvation Army charity shop at Outwood. Stephen likes attending his church group, beer, pubs, and going to the Ribblehead group at Pyramid. He has been on artist residentials with Pyramid three times and is a member of three different Pyramid groups! He loves watching football and his favourite team is Manchester United.
This is William. He was a volunteer for Leeds 2023 and he has been a member of Pyramid for fifteen years. He has a nephew called Oscar William. He loves swimming and going to the theatre.
This is Kenny. He has been a member of Pyramid for five years. He has a daughter called Catherine. He likes playing games and watching films. He is a travel trainer and a qualified first aider.
This is Dominic. He works at St Mary’s Hospital helping to make health services more accessible for everyone. He is very good at using digital technologies and often uses apps to order food!
Robert has excellent digital skills which he is always prepared to share with other members of the ALaDDIN consultation group. Robert has worked for Forum Central and Royal Mencap. In his spare time, he also enjoys attending groups at People Matters.
things we have done
We formed online and we met monthly over Zoom during the Covid lockdowns.
We have had internet safety training from Connect in the North.
We review apps and resources to recommend to other people with learning disabilities.
We learned to use the Google Maps app together and practised this on trips to Roundhay Park and the Discovery Centre.
We made a video with Royal Mencap showing people how they can use Google Maps.
We used different apps to draw and make art.
We met Maria Kapsali from the University of Leeds and tried making music using her echome software.
We gave her feedback on the equipment.
Click here to find out more about echome on the University website.
We worked on a programme called Multiply which helped us to learn to budget.
We practiced shopping for things more cheaply online.
As part of the Multiply programme, we all received a digital device that was suited to our needs.
We met Sally and Joanne from Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and we shared lots of information on how we use the internet.
We went to an event organised by LBU where we gave them feedback on their research project about hybrid working.
We met with staff from Scope and gave them feedback on how accessible their website is.
This information will help them make their website better for people to use in the future.
We met with Hannah and Roisin from Purple Patch Arts who shared their online buddy training with us. We had the opportunity to do this training.
