People with a learning disability experience
prejudice and discrimination, a lifetime of unemployment and
exclusion from local communities which creates a circle of
disadvantage, according to a new report out today.
- Name calling, physical assault and damage to property is the
daily reality for people with a learning disability and keeps them
excluded from the community.
- Nine out of ten have no job and for many, work is not even an
option.
- 20,000 people don't have anything to do during the day, leaving
them alone and isolated from the community.
Hidden lives, from social care charity Turning Point, found
that people with a learning disability are being left behind by
government initiatives to tackle social exclusion and denied the
same life chances as the rest of the population. The report draws
on the experience of Turning Point's clients, combined with the
latest independent research.
Government legislation, including the white paper "Valuing People"
which focuses on learning disability services has achieved a great
deal but the findings of the report underline the remaining scale
of the problem.
Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of Turning Point,
says:
"People with a learning disability have not benefited from the
Government's efforts to end social exclusion and this is despite
the fact that they are amongst the most marginalised groups in
society. Prejudice is gradually becoming unacceptable towards many
other social groups, but it is not challenged enough in the case of
people with a learning disability.
"For example, much of disability law focuses on physical
disabilities and improving access to buildings rather than
challenging misconceptions and changing attitudes towards people
with a learning disability. These people are not visible members
of their community; they exist in the community rather than living
as part of it".
To tackle this exclusion Turning Point are calling for:
- A hard hitting Government campaign to shift public attitudes
and improve understanding and knowledge about what it means to have
a learning disability.
- A new employment programme with secured funding for supporting
people with a learning disability into sustained paid
employment.
- An investigation by the Social Exclusion Unit to examine ways
to reduce inequalities facing people with a learning
disability.
Turning Point believes people with a learning disability should
have the same opportunities to participate fully in the community
as any other citizen, free from stigma and discrimination. We are
calling the Government to launch an ambitious programme to tackle
the raft of social problems and barriers to inclusion that face
people with a learning disability.
Our service users have said:
"Sometimes people are rude. They call me rude names - shit, dunce.
But I just ignore them. They don't understand people with a
learning disability. Sometimes it can upset you, makes me feel
cross, but there is nothing you can do".
"I am hoping to get a paid job so I can make money and put it in
my bank account. I wouldn't want a job where I don't get
paid."
"I want a job to show that I can do it and to be accepted."
"I can't work more than 16 hours because of benefits".
"I don't go swimming because I would have to go with a support
worker and I'd stand out. It would be nice to have a friend to go
with instead."
Notes to Editors
Download the report here:
Hidden lives report (783k) |
Hidden lives easy read version (295k)
For further information contact the Turning Point press office
on 0207 553 5220, out of hours mobile 07786 938 601 or email
press@turning-point.co.uk
Turning Point is the UK's leading social care organisation. We
provide services for people with complex needs, including those
affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or
those with a learning disability. We provide services in 200
locations and have contact with almost 100,000 people a year.
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