Publishing house Hachette UK signs partnership with learning disability charity, Mencap

Hachette UK’s Accessibility Network, has announced a partnership with Mencap, the UK’s leading learning disability charity, to deliver talks, fundraiser activities and awareness-raising events starting from May 2021.

Committed to making reading accessible to everyone, Hachette UK works to make it easy for everyone, everywhere to unlock new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment and opportunity. 

The accessibility division of Hachette UK, Hachette UK’s Accessibility Network supports those with disabilities and neurodiversity’s to create, read, access and to work.

PROMOTION

Partnering with Mencap, the collation aims to raise awareness and improve understanding of learning disability, by generating as much visibility of people with a learning disability as possible to reduce the everyday stigma and misunderstanding this group face. 

“As someone who enjoys reading, I am excited about this new partnership with Hachette UK. Not a lot of people know what a learning disability is, so it is great that this partnership will help to raise awareness,” says Amy Clarke who has a learning disability and is digital assistant at Mencap.

People with a learning disability face huge inequality every day of their lives. They are more likely to be socially isolated, nearly twice as likely to be inactive and die on average over two decades earlier compared to those without a learning disability.

Jasmine Palmer, Cecilia Rushton and Aine Ryan, co-chairs of the Accessibility network enthuse: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Mencap and look forward to growing our relationship with the charity this year, as we host both social and educational fundraisers for employees of Hachette UK.”

FUNDING

Part of the partnership will see fundraising initiatives put in place. 

The five fundraiser activities planned include a virtual cocktail class and cook-along on 17 June with Hachette UK authors, Dan Whiteside and Sam Gates, which will be ticketed, with all funds raised going directly to Mencap. 

Members of the network have also committed to taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October of this year. 

Amy continues: “The money Hachette UK raises from the fundraisers will go a long way. It will change the lives of people with a learning disability and make the UK the best place to live if you have a learning disability.”

SUPPORT

People with a learning disability can face barriers in society and when picking up new skills. Some people may need help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, managing money, travelling and personal care. 

The level of support someone needs is different for every individual depending on the severity of their learning disability. For example, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities often need round-the-clock care and support. 

Thanks to this partnership, not only will awareness of learning disability increase but more opportunities will be made available to the community.

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