Learning disabilities, advocacy and fighting discrimination

Disability Medway Network CIC is about encouraging people with both hidden and visible disabilities to use their voice in society. I believe people with learning disabilities do not have enough of a voice in society and are not considered when making decisions as a result of this.

This post will explain a bit about learning disabilities. It will also talk about self-advocacy and fighting discrimination.

Learning disabilities.

A learning disability affects the way the person develops and learns new skills. This varies depending on the type of learning disability ranging from moderate to severe and profound. For example, a person with moderate learning disabilities may be able to live independently with minimal help. On the other hand, a  person with severe and profound disabilities may require 24-hour care, and help with performing most daily living skills.

Advocacy and self-Advocacy.

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. For example your health, your work, your education………..

You can also have advocates who will help you and speak up on your behalf if you are being treated unfairly.

Fighting discrimination.

Definition of discrimination

“The treatment of a person or a particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc.:”

People with disabilities suffer direct and Indirect discrimination nearly every day. even with the Equality Act 2010 (On this link you can find an easy read version Equality Act)