All inpatients with learning disability or autism to have cases reviewed
The UK Government has announced that every inpatient with a learning disability or autism in a mental health hospital is to have their case reviewed over the next 12 months.
learning disability
The smear factor: One woman’s fight to make smear tests accessible
Every year 1,200 people with a learning disability die unnecessarily from inappropriate healthcare. With less than a third of women with a learning disability attending a smear test, the impact is undoubtedly contributing to this number. We talk to one woman preparing for her first smear test.
Sanctuary Supported Living residents share stories for Learning Disability Week 2019
To mark Learning Disability Week 2019, residents from Sanctuary Supported Living have shared stories of how sport has helped them to gain confidence, stay active and become more independent.
People with a learning disability are experiencing social isolation because of disability
During Learning Disability Week (17 – 23 June) it is a time to raise awareness of learning disability and get people connected. However, new research from Mencap has found that bullying is causing more people with learning disabilities to experience isolation.
Spotlight: Autism is not a mental illness
Under the UK Mental Health Act 1983, autism is defined as a mental disorder. This inaccurate representation of people on the autistic spectrum can lead to even more confusion, and harm, when caring for autistic people who are experiencing mental ill health
Going for gold during the Special Olympics 2019
The Special Olympics is currently underway, and it is shining a spotlight on accessible sporting events. As day five nears an end, we look at the achievements being made.
NHS England is set to make autism and learning disability a priority over next ten years
The news that NHS England is preparing to make learning disabilities and autism a clinical priority has been positively received from organisations and the public…
Changing attitudes
We all have our own unique traits and talents. However, disabled people often have their skills ignored – until now. We find out how social…
People with learning disabilities share their stories in new book
A group of Heart of England Mencap service users have joined forces to publish a new book, sharing their stories of what it’s like to…
Government must not be allowed to duck its responsibility for statutory social care
The retrospective care costs for people with serious learning disabilities should be met in full As the Government’s self-imposed deadline of 2 October approaches and…
UK employers join Mencap call to get 120,000 more people with a learning disability in to employment over next 10 years
Mencap urges new Government to keep manifesto pledge to get 1 million more disabled people into work and improve employment opportunities for people with a learning…
Just 6% of people with a learning disability are in employment – it’s time for change
Learning Disability charity Mencap has published new research giving evidence for the business case for employing staff with a learning disability. The charity is using…
Volunteers create sensory garden for people with learning disabilities
A team of big-hearted volunteers swapped spreadsheets for spades when they took a day out of the office to create a brand new sensory garden…
1 million voters with a learning disability risk being overlooked if political parties fail to produce accessible Manifestos
Campaign launched urging parties to produce ‘Easy Read’ Manifestos at same time as main version 70% of people with a learning disability said that they want…
Over three quarters of people with a learning disability are missing out on vital support at GP surgeries
Mencap and NHS England launch Don’t Miss Out guides and video to improve healthcare provision for people with a learning disability Learning disability charity Mencap,…