This Learning Disability week, I’ve seen something powerful, and I hope you have too; people with learning disabilities, their families and allies standing up and saying together “enough is enough.” Enough of being left out. Enough of being treated less than others. Enough of being forgotten in systems that should be made to help…not to hinder.
We’ve heard from Kellie, our North East and North Cumbria Director, and her reflections on the daily reality of the benefits system and why it must change. We’ve heard from Adam, our Head of Enterprise, and why it is essential that employment must be built on equality instead of tokens of goodwill. We’ve heard from Cat, our Expert by Experience leading our brand new Inclusive Design Service, and why inclusive design from organisations can be an invitation of belonging and equality for people with a learning disability.
In summary, we are seeing people fighting back. Not with anger, but with determination and clarity.
From myth-busting to blogging, campaigning to co-designing, people with learning disabilities and their allies have led the way this week – demanding systems that are fair, more human and built for everyone.
I know that inclusion won’t come just because ‘it is the right thing to do’. It comes when people push for it, speak out and show what’s possible. During my 24 years at People First, I have seen it happen. Each and every day, when someone in my team or a stranger in the street stands up and refuses to accept the status quo, it reminds me why People First is here. We are not here to keep turning the wheel but to drive real and lasting change.
- Change through our Creating Careers working on succeeding in the workplace.
- Change through our Advocates supporting clients to speak up for what they want.
- Change through people with learning disabilities learning, working, thriving as they work at The People First Conference Centre.
- Change through our UDirect Support customers choosing how to manage their direct payments.
- Change through our self-advocates raising their voices, speaking out and being encouraged by each other to live their lives the way they choose.
- Change through our Healthwatch’s out in communities across the North of England, listening to experiences of health and social care and tirelessly working to improve them for the benefit of all.
If you’ve read a story this week that has made you pause, don’t let it end there. Use it and act on it. Because the most powerful thing we can do with reflection is turn it into progress.
I end this week with a renewed sense of hope and commitment to fight for a society where people with learning disabilities are truly seen, heard and valued.
We’re not done yet… and we’re not slowing down.