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It’s Learning Disabilities Week 2024 and at Ealing Mencap we think that is a pretty big deal! This blog series celebrates, discusses and enlightens upon all things Learning Disabilities. Everything covered in this series is based upon conversations and research with people with Learning Disabilities. So you know, it really counts. We hope you enjoy!

Part 1 of the series is all about change. We spoke to people with Learning Disabilities, this is what they say needs to change. 

From our research and discussions a few themes emerged regarding what needs to change to make life better for people with Learning Disabilities. 

Number 1: Being Listened To

12.5% of the people we surveyed said they felt they were listened to all the time, leaving the rest feeling like they were listened to only sometimes or never at all. Some of the explanations of this included:

“Society in general seems to only see visual disabilities and often does not know how to include those with additional needs.”

“I think that people with Learning Disabilities are definitely being listened to by professionals but there is still not enough awareness about their needs in the wider community.”

“Sometimes I feel invisible, this makes me feel sad and lonely”

“We’re not being listened to because of stereotypes. People assume that someone with Autism is either non-verbal or a Sherlock Holmes, we just get clumped together based on our diagnosis” 

This feedback suggests there is still more work to be done to ensure that people with Learning Disabilities feel heard and listened to within their communities, a hard reality to face. 

However, there is hope! 

People with Learning Disabilities told us how to make that change to ensure people with Learning Disabilities are listened to, all the time. 

“Having our own say in the way we are being supported and being able to choose the services that are available to us based on our likes and preferences.” 

“Workshops and training would help people understand people with Learning Disabilities”

“Training for the public and businesses.”

The feedback we got was eye-opening but by taking these steps, we can create a more inclusive and attentive community for people with Learning Disabilities. 

Number 2: Education and Awareness 

As we previously mentioned, education and awareness of how to support someone with a Learning Disability was a key theme amongst the discussions. 

“People that don’t know about Learning Disabilities don’t have the skills or training to understand. They might not know there is a Learning Disability because it is hidden but people with Learning Disabilities still need the time and support.”

“Not all employers are trained to be able to offer jobs to people with disabilities and then ensure that people receive enough adequate support to be able to keep their jobs and to have reasonable adjustment in place depending on their individual abilities and needs.”

“Some people still have outdated views of disability”

Delivering training is crucial because many people with Learning Disabilities say “people lack the necessary skills and awareness to understand these often hidden disabilities”. This gap in knowledge means individuals with Learning Disabilities may not receive the time and support they need and can become excluded from society. By delivering such training, we can create a more inclusive community for everyone. 

Number 3: NO MORE STIGMA 

“People think you’re weird and not normal”

A heartbreaking quote from our discussions confirms that there is still stigma around people with Learning Disabilities. People with Learning Disabilities told us that they want this to change as one person perfectly put it “it’s just a different way of being.”

We hope this information has provided you with some food for thought and will allow you to make changes to ensure people with Learning Disabilities are more included and valued in society. We must listen to create change. Let Learning Disabilities Week be the time to take a step forward! 

What can you do to help?

This is just some of the feedback we received from the discussions and surveys. Please continue to read the rest of Ealing Mencap’s Learning Disability Week blog series to hear more about what people with Learning Disabilities have to say about their lives and their future. Share and like to raise more awareness. 

Donate to Ealing Mencap; with your help, we can do more to make life better for people with Learning Disabilities.