Do You See Me?

Learning Disability Week will take place from the 17th - 23rd June 2024. This year's theme is "Do you see me?" which is all about being seen, heard and valued and challenging the barriers people with a learning disability face. The event is organised annually by the learning disability charity, Mencap and aims to improve the quality of life for those with learning disabilities by raising awareness about important issues, fighting stigma and discrimination, and raising funds.

People with learning disabilities are twice as likely to experience low self-esteem and self-confidence, social exclusion, and bullying that others don’t face, leading to mental health issues. Being diagnosed with a learning disability does not mean a person is not intelligent, it just means they need extra support to overcome the challenges they face and learn in their unique way.

According to Mencap statistics show:

• Only 26.7% of adults with a learning disability are employed yet 86% of unemployed people with a learning disability want a paid job.

• 1 in 3 people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour outside their home on a typical Saturday.

• Over 2,000 people with a learning disability and/ or autistic people are currently locked away in mental health hospitals.

Learning Disability Week is important to highlight the issues those affected face, and help them to understand that they are not alone in the difficulties they face. It allows people to spread awareness and educate others to understand the unique position of affected people and find ways to help rather than mock them. People can become more understanding of the challenges and rights related to learning disabilities and provide the support to make their lives easier.