New service launched for the six million people in the learning disability community

Thursday 17 April 2008

The six million people in the learning disability community in the UK will today (15 April) be able to access a new service that will give them all the latest learning disability news, information and advice.

Be Mencap (logo attached) is a new e-newsletter that aims to become an online community for people with a learning disability, their friends and families, as well as professionals.

Be Mencap is one of the new services launched by Mencap as part of its repositioning. The UK's leading learning disability charity aims to be the voice of everyone in the learning disability community, and to be there for every person with a learning disability, no matter what the challenges they face, and no matter what stage of their life they are in. To back up this new vision, Mencap will next week launch a new visual identity and has a new website that provides information, a community and advice for people with a learning disability throughout their lives.

Claire Hall, Editor of Be Mencap, said:

"There is a lot going on in the learning disability world, and we want to make sure we provide the key information for all those interested in learning disability. There are six million people who have a learning disability or are closely involved with the lives of people with a learning disability. This newsletter aims to provide information to all these people about the latest learning disability and Mencap news, plus stories from people with a learning disability."

People can sign up from today at www.mencap.org.uk/be. The first copy of the Be Mencap newsletter will be published on 21 April 2008.

Notes to editors

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with profound and multiple learning disabilities need full-time help with every aspect of their lives - including eating, drinking, washing, dressing and toileting.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia.
• It used to be called 'mentally handicapped' but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.mencap.org.uk
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press