Attitudes to Learning Disabilities Mired in Past
28 August 2015
In the UK, over 1.4million children and adults have a learning disability. Research suggests general societal attitudes in the UK are negative towards them and uninformed as to what a learning disability means (Mencap 2008).
3 ways to change attitudes are suggested in this article in The Conversation
1. Young People
Nearly all children with learning disabilities reported being bullied at school (Mencap 2008) and this often had far reaching effects in their lives. The authors suggest a campaign to alter attitudes of young people ( who are the ones doing the bullying).
2. Increasing employment and visibility in the workforce
Only 7% of people with a learning disability are employed - all of which suggests life for these people is isolated and difficult. Many have been bullied and without a presence in the workforce, a change in general attitudes could be long in coming. This article suggests three ways in to improve the situation
3. Hear from people with disabilities in the media
So people become familiar with the issues and develop empathy and respect for those facing them.