A equality charity has encouraged families to create a “digital passport” that could help disabled people communicate during lockdown.
Pamis (Promoting a more inclusive society) has released the materials so people at home can make their own passport, which the charity has been using to help people with multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) for about a decade.
The tool helps people with PMLD to use a tablet or computer to better communicate with people who are not familiar with them. The charity developed it as people with PMLD can sometimes communicate in ways that are not easily understood by strangers.
A user’s digital passport includes videos and photographs that outlines the person’s needs, abilities and personal traits.
The user, who owns the tablet, can take it with them to hospital visits can care centres so appointments and meetings can progress smoother.
Pamis recognised the benefits the tool could bring to other families during the Covid-19 lockdown and have been working on adapting the resource since the first week of the outbreak in the UK.
They do not currently have the resources to make passports for families of people with complex needs so they have offered a template and a series of instructional videos so they can be made at home.
Jenny Miller, Pamis CEO, said: “At crucial times such as these it is morally the right thing to do to share resources that can support the care of people who have complex needs.
“Cat Jamieson, our digital lead, has worked flat out to provide an online resource to help other access this tool. It is another example of the wisdom and innovation of our family carers.
“The Pamis digital passport is an invaluable resource at this time and we are delighted to be able to share it with wider groups.”
The tools to create the passport can be found on the Pamis website.
