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About Learning Disabilities: A learning disability is a condition that affects a person’s ability to learn new skills and information. The level and effect of learning disabilities vary widely from person to person. Some people with learning disabilities need close support while others are able to live very independent lives. Learning disabilities can be caused by many things, they can occur for genetic reasons, such as Down’s Syndrome, by physical problems as during pregnancy or lack of oxygen during childbirth. Head injuries or Illnesses such as Meningitis at an early age can also cause learning disabilities. The government estimates there are around 210,000* people with learning disabilities (receiving support) in the country, but this figure seems very conservative. As a group they are among the most socially excluded groups in Britain today. Very few have jobs, live in their own homes or have a real choice in who supports them. People with learning disabilities are more likely to be affected by conditions such as Autism, or suffer from Epilepsy; they have a shorter life expectancy than the rest of the population and face a lack of choice and opportunity in virtually every aspect of life. Thanks to ‘Valuing People’, a government White Paper published in 2001, designed to tackle many of the problems described above, things are improving slowly but there is a long, long way to go. *According
to the Valuing People White Paper (2001) Find out more about:
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