Campaigns

• New capacity legislation
• Making rights a reality
• Children and young people
• Hate crime
• Changing Places
• Fighting cuts in learning disability services
• Get my vote
• Bamford Action Pan

New capacity legislation

The government in Northern Ireland is planning to introduce a new law on mental capacity. The new law will replace the law on mental health and will say what should happen if people cannot make a decision or cannot communicate their decision.

Mencap is keen to ensure that the rights and needs of people with a learning disability are reflected in the new law. We are working with the Mental Health and Learning Disability Alliance which is committed to the development of modern, ethical, capacity and mental health law that is firmly based on international human rights principles.

Making rights a reality

We want to make rights a reality for people with a learning disability. The inequalities and discrimination experienced by people with a learning disability throughout their lives are well known. Whilst equality and anti-discrimination legislation has gone some way to highlighting what needs to be done, people with a learning disability continue to be denied the same rights and opportunities as others in their community.

We lobby the government and public bodies to make sure policies and law do not discriminate against people with a learning disability. We work in partnership with other organisations and promote the rights and interests of people with a learning disability through our involvement in networks on children, young people, disability, equality and human rights.

Children and young people

Mencap works with other organisations through the Children with Disabilities Strategic Alliance (CDSA) to promote the rights of disabled children in Northern Ireland. CDSA has produced a manifesto to inform policy and decision makers on the needs and rights of disabled children.

Don't stick it, stop it! campaign

Children and young people with a learning disability are twice as likely to be bullied as other children. We are calling on the government and public bodies involved with children to make this a priority issue. We are working with the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum to develop information for young people, parents and schools on preventing and tackling disablist bullying in Northern Ireland. We are also supporting Mencap's 'Don't stick it, stop it!' campaign to stop the bullying of children with a learning disability.

Read about the Don't stick it, stop it! campaign or visit the NIABF website for further information.

Hate crime

Everyone should be able to go out and about without fear of being called names, being harassed or being the victim of crime. Mencap is working with other organisations to help put a stop to hate crime.

Be Safe Stay Safe

The Be Safe Stay Safe project provides training to groups of people with a range of disabilities throughout Northern Ireland to help them stay safe in their own homes and in their communities, and to raise awareness about disability hate crime and how to deal with it.

The project is led by Leonard Cheshire Disability, with support from partner organisations including Mencap. Find out more on the Be Safe Stay Safe website.

Changing Places - our campaign for fully accessible toilets

Our Changing Places campaign is calling for fully accessible toilets (including a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space) to be installed in all big public places.

The lack of changing places means that people who cannot use the standard accessible toilets cannot enjoy the same opportunities as others in their community. 

In Northern Irealnd, there are Changing Places toilets at Lisburn City Lagan Valley Island Centre, Divis Mountain and the George Best City Airport, with more planned for the Giant's Causeway and for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Read more about the Changing Places campaign.

Find out more about Mencap's campaigns and how you can take action for people with a learning disability and thier families today.