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2022 Big Learning Disability Survey results

In 2022, Mencap did a survey with people who have a learning disability in the UK.

Here’s what we found...
 

About our Big Learning Disability Survey

Mencap worked with people who have a learning disability to make the survey.

Nearly 2,000 people took part.

Mencap will listen to the things people said and think what to do in the future.

Big Learning Disability Survey results 2022

Download the full report or read the easy read version

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Our research

We heard from almost 2,000 people with a learning disability about important issues including; healthcare, discrimination , and money and support.

 

Some of our key findings:

Paid work

Over a quarter said they have a paid job.  
 

Over a third of people who do not have a paid job said they would like to have a paid job.  

A waiter with downs syndrome serving a couple at a table in a tea shop with a cup of tea

Healthcare

Over 4 in 10 did not have an annual health check in the last year. 

Of those who did have an annual health check in the last year, almost 6 in 10 did not receive a Health Action Plan. 

Discrimination

Over 4 in 10 reported that they did not go out in the past month because they were worried.  

The most common reason was 'people calling me names or bullying me'. 

When asked where they would go for help and support if being treated unfairly, over 1 in 10 said they did not know where to go for help and support.  

A woman talking to a Mencap support worker sitting at a picnic bench by a hedge

Next steps

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We have heard your views on important issues such as healthcare, discrimination, and money and support.

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We will work with the government and organisations to make change happen.

We would like to say thank you to everyone who took part in the 2022 Big Learning Disability Survey!

I am a Research & Impact Assistant at Mencap. I also have a learning disability. I feel that it is very important to listen to the voices of people with a learning disability in research . It is for this reason that I joined the survey working group.

I am proud to have contributed to this report because it will be used by Mencap and other organisations to improve the lives of people with a learning disability across the UK.” 

Dan Newton

A photo of Dan sitting on a promenade with chairs, tables with umbrellas behind him

We're here to help

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To get support you can contact Mencap’s Learning Disability Helpline.

It offers free advice and support for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

Phone: 0808 808 1111

Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk

 

Northern Ireland

Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Option 2)

Email: helpline.ni@mencap.org.uk

 

Wales

Phone: 0808 8000 300

Email: helpline.wales@mencap.org.uk

 

You can also talk to Mencap’s Research team about any of the topics included in this survey.

Email: research@mencap.org.uk

 

 

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