Learning Disability Week 2023 – Busting Myths

Care England, the largest and most diverse representative body for independent providers of adult social care, this week celebrates Learning Disability Week 2023. This week represents a fantastic opportunity to educate, spread awareness, increase understanding, and celebrate the valued contributions people with learning disabilities make to our communities.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:
“The theme of this year’s Learning Disability Week is busting myths about living life with a learning disability. This focus presents an opportunity to talk not only about the barriers and challenges people with a learning disability face, but also challenge and break down stigmas to remove these barriers. This week also gives the adult social care sector a chance to reflect on the care we provide to adults with a learning disability, and Care England is proud to represent excellent specialist services that provide person-centred care for adults with learning disabilities across England.”

Running every year in the third week of June, learning disability charity Mencap’s Learning Disability Week aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities by raising awareness around important issues, fighting stigma and discrimination, and raising funds for outreach and support programmes.

Martin Green continues:
“Overcoming these myths and barriers is so important to ensure that decisions and actions can continue to be made in the best interests of those supported by adult social care. It is vital to ensure that people with a learning disability are enabled to enjoy their rights to live purposeful lives as active members of families and communities. We need to learn lessons from past experiences, not least the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the concerns of those living with, and supporting those with, a learning disability overlooked by the Government. Systematic change is needed from the centre to enable the sector to continue to provide high-quality person-centred care. This Learning Disability Week it is important for us to recognise the additional challenges these individuals face, to spread awareness for the millions of adults and children with learning disabilities, and to celebrate their valued contributions to our communities.”

For more information on Learning Disability Week 2023, you can visit the Mencap website.