We welcome any programme that tackles a crucial issue for people with a disability - their equal right to personal relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend. - in a positive, informed way. It is an area we know that disabled people feel very strongly about.
However, the packaging and representation of the programme by Channel 4 could be seen to do more harm than good by once again portraying people with a disability in an unflattering way, when many already feel excluded from mainstream society.
People with disabilities are under-represented in the media and public life, and a more constructive approach might be to see Channel 4 including people with a disability - for example, presenters and actors - in mainstream programming, rather than reinforcing stereotypes through sensationalist marketing."
For more information please email: media@mencap.org.uk.
Notes to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with 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.
in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers by fighting to change laws and improve services and access to
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
,
employment
Employment means having a job.
and
leisure
Leisure is when you have time to do things you enjoy like playing sports or going to the pub.
facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. People with a learning disability and their carers can find out more about our services by calling the Learning Disability Helpline on 0808 808 1111 or by visiting www.mencap.org.uk.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.
People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complex information and interact with other people.
The level of support someone needs depends on individual factors, including the severity of their learning disability.