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Charity Reveals Results of Groundbreaking Conference for People with Learning Disabilities

Abuse, neglect and isolation. Three topics that have been high on the public’s mind this year when discussing people with learning disabilities.
Health, Lifestyle - 6 July 2011   Download IconContent available for download:  
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Saturday 2nd July saw a pioneering initiative bring together 100 people with learning disabilities at the first conference to enable them to vote for a topic they think really matters most. Abuse scandals have recently put people with learning disabilities in the spotlight, and negative issues plague the lives of 1.5 million people with learning disabilities in the UK, so the conference aimed to get their voices heard.

The results of the conference showed that employment matters to people with learning disabilities most. 39% of people at the conference voted for “getting a job” to be top priority over the next 12 months, with many admitting they want to be taken seriously and play their part in the working world.
30% of people voted for improving transport methods for people with learning disabilities as without transport they are isolated. 17% wanted access to a proper social life (“My only friend is the TV”) and 14% wanted to focus on green issues (“Maybe it will be people with learning disabilities who save the planet – keep it simple, recycle.”)

These results from the 100 People/100 Voices will contribute to Brandon Trust’s action plan over the next 12 months. Brandon Trust is already signed up to the national Campaign For A Fair Society. People with learning disabilities came together from across the South West of England – Cornwall, Devon, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Plymouth, Wiltshire, Bristol and Gloucestershire. London based Odyssey Care recently became a subsidiary of the charity Brandon Trust. This has opened up the opportunity for some of the people they support to attend the 100 People/100 Voices conference.

. Introduction:

The 2nd July saw the first ever conference held for people with learning disabilities to voice what really matters most in their lives. Recent abuse scandals have put people with learning disabilities in the spotlight and so the conference aimed to find out what changes would improve their lives
most. Equal rights was clearly a top priority – with over a third of people who attended the conference voting for ‘getting a job’ as the most important thing on their agenda. Other topics that mattered most were improving transport, social lives and green issues.

So, what did the ‘100 People/100 Voices’ gathering achieve and why was getting a job voted as the top priority?

Joining us to discuss this further is Steve Day from Brandon Trust who was at the conference, together with one of the delegates with learning disabilities.

. Suggested Questions:

Can you tell us a bit more about this conference 100 People/100 Voices; and how did people who did not attend in person get involved?

What was revealed to be the key issues for people with learning disabilities living in our area and what can Odyssey Care and Brandon Trust do to support people with learning disabilities?

What issues did the event reveal to be most prevalent for people with learning disabilities?

Where does Brandon Trust now plan to focus its action and how do they intend to make this a priority?

What difference will this make for people with learning disabilities?

Where can our listeners go to find out more information?