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Equal rights

People with a learning disability must be valued, respected and given the same opportunities in life. As a result, people with a learning disability are frequently treated as second-class citizens. They are more vulnerable to abuse and hate crime than other people, and they may find important decisions about their future are made by people who do not value their quality of life. 

Mencap believes that:

  • the lives of people with a learning disability must be valued and respected

  • people with a learning disability must be able to live their lives free from fear of abuse and hate crime

  • people with a learning disability must have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Help us make rights a reality!

Photo of a man with a microphoneGet my vote

Join our campaign to make politics accessible for people with a learning disability. 

 

 

A man with a police officerStand by me

We need your help to stop people with a learning disability becoming the victims of hate crime.

 

 

 

Abuse

Many people with a learning disability need extra support to live their lives, which can make them vulnerable to abuse.

Abuse in Cornwall

In July 2006 a report found that people with a learning disability living in services in Cornwall were being abused.

Life and death

People often make judgements about the quality of life of people with a learning disability that are based on ignorance and a lack of understanding.

Hate crime: real life stories

These shocking stories about people with a learning disability have been in the news.

Stand by me

Mencap believes that people with a learning disability should be free from the fear of hate crime. We are working with other organisations to help people understand more about hate crime and how to stop it.