Do You See Me?

Learning Disability Week this year runs from 17th to 23rd June and is an opportunity for us to shout about how wonderful people with learning disabilities are.

The theme this year is “Do You See Me?”

So, let us ask you…

Do you see people with learning disabilities? Do you know anyone with a learning disability? Are you friends with anyone who has a learning disability?

There is sometimes a little bit of confusion about what a learning disability is… this is partly because of the language we use and how it differs from country to country. So, if you search on the internet for learning disability you might come across American websites without realising and they will include Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia. In the UK we might refer to these as learning difficulties but they are not disabilities.

Sometimes people confuse neurodivergence or neurodiversity with learning disabilities, these include ADHD and Autism, but again these are not learning disabilities (though some people with learning disabilities are also neurodivergent.

Mencap have excellent information on their website (https://www.mencap.org.uk/) and they explain:

“A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.”

“People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with other people.”

The level of support someone needs depends on the individual.

“For example, someone with a mild learning disability may only need support with things like getting a job. However, someone with a severe or profound learning disability may need full­time care and support with every aspect of their life – they may also have physical disabilities.”

“People with certain specific conditions can have a learning disability too. For example, people with Down’s syndrome and some people with autism have a learning disability.”

Our Christian ethos and understanding is that we believe everyone is made in the image of God… and this includes people with learning disabilities. It also means we believe people with learning disabilities have gifts, skills, and talents that should be celebrated and used by the church if we are to be the full family of God. We see this all the time, especially in our Springs Fellowship in which adults with learning disabilities lead worship, pray and even preach.

Our Christian ethos and understanding also means that we don’t think anyone should be excluded whether they have a learning disability, a different faith or no faith, because of their living arrangements or care needs. This is why our Day Services are such a wonderful community, giving people with disabilities from all backgrounds and levels of need opportunities to make choices, engage in meaningful activities, share their news, be creative, and enjoy healthy relationships.

So, do you see people with learning disabilities?

We do.

We believe God does.

And, we celebrate our beautiful Life Project learning disability community.