CURRENT POSITION OF ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
المؤلف:
DEBRA FEARNS
المصدر:
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
الجزء والصفحة:
P56-C4
2025-10-09
233
CURRENT POSITION OF ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
The reality for many adults with learning disabilities is a life with limited choice, rights, independence or inclusion – the four key principles at the heart of Valuing People (Department of Health 2001b). This state of affairs puts many adults with learning disabilities in a vulnerable position, as they are dependent on family, carers and professionals to help them live their lives. This can lead to potential vulnerability, as an adult with a learning disability is reliant on the honesty, integrity and professionalism of those caring for him/her. Alongside this is the difficulty that adults with learning disabilities may have in making their needs and wishes known, and in being heard, listened to and understood by families, carers and professionals (Department of Health 2001b):
‘People with learning disabilities are amongst the most socially excluded and vulnerable groups in Britain today. Very few have jobs, live in their own homes or have real choice over who cares for them. Many have few friends outside their families and those paid to care for them. Their voices are rarely heard in public. This needs to change.’
(Department of Health 2001b, p. 14)
Whilst there may have been key changes made in the delivery and provision of some services that support adults with learning disabilities, the reality is that this has had little impact on overcoming obstacles that relate to social exclusion and access to services, facilities, housing and employment. This continued exclusion adds to the vulnerable position that many adults with learning disabilities find themselves in.
Emerson and Malam (2005) carried out a national survey of adults with learning disabilities and their families, in England. This survey highlights that adults with learning disabilities are often socially excluded. 43 per cent stated that they had been bullied at school; 32 per cent stated that they did not feel safe in either their homes, their locality, or whilst using public transport; and 32 per cent also stated that someone had been rude or offensive to them in the last year, because they had a learning disability. Worryingly, 9 per cent stated that they had been the victim of crime in the preceding year.
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