Educate yourself about the learning disabled

NEW survey results from the learning disability charity Mencap in the East Midlands reveal that almost two thirds of people (63 per cent) cannot correctly identify a learning disability as a reduced intellectual ability, with 42 per cent of people from the East Midlands thinking it’s dyslexia and 29 per cent believing it to relate to a mental health issue.

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK but the new figures – which have been released to coincide with the launch of Mencap’s Talk To Me campaign as part of the charity’s 75th anniversary – highlight the continued lack of understanding around learning disability.

Some of the reasons for the lack of understanding could include low visibility and representation in the media.

The survey reveals 38 per cent of people from the East Midlands have not seen someone with a learning disability in the media in the past year.

Shows such as Line of Duty - featuring Tommy Jessop who has Down’s syndrome – and Mencap ambassador George Webster, who recently made history when he became the first CBeebies presenter who has Down’s syndrome, are helping with this but Mencap says more is needed.

As George said: “When I was younger, there wasn’t anyone with a learning disability or Down’s syndrome on the TV.

“It is so important, though. If people saw more people with a learning disability in the media, they would better understand what a learning disability is and they would be less scared to approach someone and talk to them.

“Then they could get to know them better. This would also mean people treat us better. It could improve things massively.

“I’ve been over the moon with all the positive feedback since I joined CBeebies and I’ve been feeling super proud, especially when people say it means a lot to them.

“I just want everyone to treat people with a learning disability fairly and to not judge us - talk to us and get to know us before assuming anything.”

Alongside a lack of visibility in the media, Mencap suspects minimal contact with people with a learning disability in society may contribute to the lack of understanding.

Anxieties about how to adjust the way they speak cause 40 per cent of adults from the East Midlands to feel uncomfortable about talking to someone with a learning disability.

As well as a lack of understanding, the figures sadly reveal 70 per cent of people from the East Midlands have witnessed someone be rude to or about a person with a learning disability at some point in their lifetime.

Shockingly, 32 per cent also admitted they themselves have engaged in offensive or disrespectful behaviour at some point, such as telling a joke, doing an impression of someone with a learning disability, or ignoring someone.

To celebrate the charity’s 75th anniversary Mencap is launching its Talk To Me campaign.

This provides a set of tools to access online which will help with people’s lack of understanding of learning disability.

Included in these online resources is a pledge that the charity is encouraging people to sign to stand up for the rights of people with a learning disability.

For 75 years, Mencap has campaigned with people with a learning disability, their families and carers to create positive change.

We have seen huge progress but we know there is still a long way to go, and it’s clear from these new statistics just how many misconceptions still exist.

People with a learning disability can and should be active participants in society.

We are encouraging people to educate themselves about learning disability.

“We want the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and

healthy lives. mencap.org.uk/mencap75th

Edel Harris, chief executive, Mencap