Help smash the stigmas
Learning Disability Week celebrates the amazing impact of people with a learning disability in our society and shines a light on the issues many still face.
This year’s theme around “Living Life with a Learning Disability” demonstrates the positive aspect of living with a learning disability and helps educate and raise awareness for those who don’t yet know what a learning disability is, or what life can be like for somebody that has one.
In a Mencap survey, it was revealed that two thirds of people cannot correctly identify a learning disability as a reduced intellectual ability - with 40% of Brits thinking it’s dyslexia and 28% believing it to relate to a mental health issue.
From models to athletes, TV stars to activists, people with a learning disability can lead positive, fulfilling lives challenging misconceptions and busting myths about what living life with a learning disability looks like.
There are 1.5 million people in the UK living with a learning disability and Mencap is here to help them live life to the fullest.
This year, we want Learning Disability Week to:Educate and raise awareness about learning disability; smash stigmas and show the positive element of living life with a learning disability, as well as fight and campaign for a fair society.
Learning Disability
Week is a fantastic way of promoting and celebrating our diverse community while telling the world what it’s really like to have a learning disability and showing the amazing things we can do.
When I was younger, I remember feeling down and speaking to my mum about all the great things everyone else was doing that may not happen to me, but 21 years later I’m progressing in my
career and happily married for nearly 10 years.
I am so proud of everything I’ve achieved and hitting these milestones that people didn’t think could happen for people with a learning disability.
I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more and I only wish the same for other people with a learning disability.
“A fantastic way of promoting and celebrating our diverse community.” charity Mencap, who herself has a learning disability.
Ciara Lawrence, Engagement Lead at the learning disability