Mencap’s Learning Disability Week is an annual campaign raising awareness of people with learning disabilities and communication difficulties, celebrated through different themes. This year’s week takes place from 20th-26th of June. The theme for 2022 is around art and creativity, and turning that into a therapeutic outlet. Getting creative, whether it’s through music, painting, dance, or any other art form, can be especially useful for children with conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, and sensory disorders. Many children who have learning disabilities use the process of creating art to give them amazing sensory benefits. Art can offer a way for them to express themselves that comes more naturally than conventional conversations.

My little sister Rebecca is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. When she was younger she was diagnosed with several Learning Disabilities. After months of my mum fighting tirelessly my sister received a statement and formally diagnosed. This meant that every new stage of the education system she entered into she was promised support by a SENCO (Special educational needs coordinator). After her assessment legally she would receive the help that all special educational needs children deserve. Finding school sometimes difficult, Becs turned to athletics where she fell in love with running. I remember speaking to her and she said one of the main reasons why she loved it was because it felt like she was flying. Now at 18 she is a national and regional champion, whilst also being in the Paralympic training program. Working towards her goal of running in the Paralympics.

Rebecca has also worked with Mencap Charity in the past, who are behind this annual campaign raising awareness of Learning Disabilities & Difficulties. Mencap’s aim is to provide significant and measurable improvement to people’s attitudes towards people with a learning disability. By improving their quality of life, their relationships and connecting them to more communities. They provide services that range from round-the-clock care, local leisure activities, advice and information on employment/education and helping people to live as independently as they can. Alongside all of their services they also run schemes, programme’s and events that promote inclusion and recognise the achievements of people with a learning disability. Pushing their ethos to make the world a better, kinder and more inclusive place.

Learning disabilities and learning difficulties go hand in hand with each other. Both terms are related, learning disabilities are a general term encompassing a range of problems, and learning difficulties refer to a specific area of learning within the disability. My sister has learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia, they specifically affect her learning but also spread out into other parts of her life. She also has some autistic traits which may mean that she is somewhere on the autism spectrum. Like my sister, people who have a specific learning difficulty can find that it affects them like a disability, causing a struggle with everyday activities which affects all aspects of their life. This is why weeks like Learning Disability Awareness Week are so important, to raise awareness for all conditions affecting communication and way of life.

There is so much that can be done within society to make sure that those with learning difficulties receive good educational, family support and can be directed to pursuits that call upon their strengths. An increase in the skills and understanding of healthcare professionals, meaning with the right support health outcomes for people with learning disabilities improve. Focusing social care services more on what people can do not what they cannot do. From an early age children with learning disabilities and their families receive the key support they need. To see people with learning disabilities in amazing jobs that promote the genuine belief that they are good workers when supported and championed properly. Lastly, to change public perceptions of learning disabilities and difficulties. Increasing representation across the media and creating more inclusion networks worldwide. 

Change is something that won’t happen overnight but weeks like LDAW by Mencap are the start of promoting big changes in society. This cannot happen by a singular party, it starts with individuals: listening to people with a learning disability supporting them to fight for their rights, in turn realising their hopes and dreams. Communities: supporting them in any way they can to build their own capabilities, finding local solutions. Society: campaigning alongside people with a learning disability to make society fairer and to ensure their voices are heard. Fighting unconscious bias and the stigma that comes with having a disability, whilst promoting the belief in the equal value of people with learning disabilities.

Having a sister with learning disabilities I have seen first hand how hard it is to live and navigate life with a disability that no one else can see. Despite all the challenges she faces, she is determined to live a life that she is happy and fulfilled in. I don’t see her learning difficulties as a setback, if anything it makes up all the amazing parts of her. The creative, multifaceted, wonderful soul that she is. Someone who I am so proud to call my little sister. 

Check out Mencap’s website for further information and their vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. https://www.mencap.org.uk/