Reporting about learning disability
Background information for journalists about what a learning disability is and isn't.
- A learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. There are many different types and most develop before a baby is born or because of a serious illness in early childhood.
- A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe and all are lifelong. Many people with a learning disability, however, live independent lives.
- A learning disability is lifelong, so it usually has a significant impact on a person's life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate. They can need support with everyday things - such as shopping and cooking, or travelling to new places.
- People with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) need full-time help with every part of their lives - including eating, drinking, washing, dressing and toileting.
- Like all of us, people with a learning disability are individuals who want different things in life and need different levels of support. A learning disability does not stop someone from learning and achieving a lot in life, if given the right support.
- A mental illness is not the same as a learning disability. Mental health problems include depression and bi-polar disorder. These are not the same as a learning disability. Though, just like everyone else, someone with a learning disability can have mental health problems.
- Learning disability is not a disease - it is not contagious and it doesn’t mean that someone is ill or unhealthy.
- Terms such "mental handicap" are old fashioned, and most people with a learning disability find this term offensive.
The difference between a learning difficulty and a learning disability
A learning difficulty and learning disability are two different things. Learning difficulties can make it harder for people to do things, like reading or writing. Learning difficulties include terms like
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
and dyspraxia. These are ‘difficulties’ but are not ‘disabilities’. A learning disability is lifelong. Some people prefer the term 'learning difficulty'.
Interviewing someone with a learning disability
Mencap passionately believes that people with a learning disability should be involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. in all areas of our work, particularly when it comes to the media.
Many people struggle to understand exactly what a learning disability is and how it impacts on someone’s everyday life, which is why we're keen for journalists to speak directly to people with a learning disability to hear their experiences and opinions first-hand.
Here are some helpful hints to help you
interview
An interview is a meeting where you talk to someone or a group of people about something. When you have an interview for a job, you have to answer questions and say why you would be good at the job. The person who gives the best answers is offered the job.
someone with a learning disability. The key point here is that you may need to make some changes to the way you usually do an interview.
- Explain any recording equipment you might have before you start the interview, so the person you are interviewing will not be distracted by it
- Make sure the interview environment is comfortable – not too noisy,
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
and free from distraction. - If the person you are interviewing is with a
support worker
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
, make sure you talk and listen to the person with a learning disability first. However, you may need to ask the support worker for help if you don’t understand something. - Avoid jargon, speak clearly and use everyday words. For example, say 'make sure' instead of 'ensure'.
- If you are not sure that the person you are interviewing has understood your question, try saying it in a different way or giving some examples of what you mean.
- Ask open questions, questions that do not have a simple yes or no answer.
- Allow more time for your interview than normal so that the person you are interviewing doesn't feel rushed into giving their answers.
- If you do not understand the person you are interviewing, don’t be embarrassed. Ask them to explain what they mean in a different way.
- If you need to use any form of written information, use a large font with double line spacing.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which can cause problems with everyday tasks – for example shopping and cooking, or travelling to new places – which affects someone for their whole life.
People with a learning disability can take longer to learn new things and may need support to develop new skills, understand difficult information and engage with other people. The level of support someone needs is different with every individual. For example, someone with a severe learning disability might need much more support with daily tasks than someone with a mild learning disability.
Learning disability is not a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Very often ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used interchangeably with ‘learning disability’.
Things to remember when reporting learning disability
Say:
- people with a learning disability OR a person with a learning disability
- learning disability
- people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)
- people with a severe learning disability (SLD)
- a person with
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, also known as Down's syndrome, is a type of disability. People with Down syndrome may find it hard to learn new things and may need support. They may have more problems with their health too.
/
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
- people with mental health problems
- people with hearing problems
- partially-sighted people OR people with serious sight problems
- people with a speech impairment
- people with a learning disability.
Don't say:
- people with learning disabilities
- learning difficulty
- PMLDs
- SLDs
- sufferers OR victims of Down’s syndrome/autism
- mentally ill or mental illness
- the deaf or hearing impaired
- the blind or the visually impaired
- mute or dumb
- learning disabled or mentally handicapped.
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
Note to editors
About Mencap
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
and
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or dyslexia) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
Further information about Mencap
The Learning Disability Helpline
Our free helpline service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. offers advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.