Learning Disability Week 2020

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Today is the first day of Learning Disability Week 2020 also called Learning Disability Pride 2020. The focus for many people with learning disabilities this week is on friendships and relationships. Reach at Asist are raising awareness on social media about why this is an important issue for many people with learning disabilities.

Research shows that people with learning disabilities often miss out on developing friendships and relationships, some struggle to stay in touch with friends and many face challenges when they want a relationship with someone they love.

Friendships and relationships are important to everyone. People with learning disabilities often experience loneliness and exclusion from friendships and relationships as well as from community life in general. Yet having trusted friends and relationships helps people to feel safe, valued and included.

People with learning disabilities often face discrimination in life. Everyone has the right to friendships and relationships: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/human-rights-act/article-8-respect-your-private-and-family-life

Research shows that Loneliness is bad for health. Being socially connected can improve quality of life for everyone. During lockdown many people with learning disabilities are not able to stay in touch with friends as digital inclusion is another problem area. Many people rely on support from family and staff to stay in touch with friends.

To help people to connect and to raise awareness about friendships and relationships Reach at Asist are inviting people to share stories, listen to the voices of people with learning disabilities and learn how we can work together for inclusion.

#LearningDisabilityWeek2020 #LearningDisabilityPride

Join Reach at Asist on Facebook @asistcommunityadvocacy and on Twitter @advocacy_Reach to listen, learn and share...