Raising Awareness on Learning Disability

Last week was the week of learning disability. There were activities and events to tell people about how is life for people with intellectual disabilities.

Associations of people with intellectual disabilities celebrated the Learning Disability Week through awareness raising events and other activities focused on the needs and concernce of this group.

In the light of the learning disability week, our member Mencap - active in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - launched a three-year campaign Stand by me at the House of Commons last Tuesday to tackle disability hate crime. Stand by me seeks the commitment of the police, criminal justice system and courts to end hate crime against people with intellectual disabilitieswithin a generation. It will also recognise the role of the public to stand by people with intellectual disabilities to end violence and abuse.

The launching event was attended by more than 100 people, including the UK Care Services Minister and Minister for Disabled People. The campaign focuses on improving justice outcomes for crimes committed against people because of their disability.

Our Scottish member Enable devoted each day of the week to a different issue highlighting some of the particular barriers people with intellectual disabilities face in their lives. The key topics included hate crime, employment, older carers, training and self-advocacy.

 Inclusion Europe welcomes our members’ initiatives related to the Learning Disability Week.  People with intellectual disabilities should be treated as equal citizens and be allowed to show their abilities and make their own contributions to the community.