Press Release
United Response joins forces to create Learning Disability Coalition
United Response and nine other major learning disability organisations have come together to launch The Learning Disability Coalition.
The aim of the coalition is to campaign for people with learning disabilities to have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. In particular the group is calling for services for people with learning disabilities to receive adequate funding.
The Government put forward its policy objectives for people with learning disabilities in the Valuing People white paper and Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People strategy document. The coalition fully supports the Government's proposals and is now calling for the money to make them a reality, so that people with learning disabilities can have full and equal citizenship.
The chief executive of United Response, Su Sayer said:
"We hope that the coalition will provide a unified voice to raise awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities and the key issues facing them.
"People with learning disabilities are much more visible these days but not everyone has caught up with the brave new world.
"We all need to do our bit to break down barriers and, as more people with learning disabilities move out into the community, more of us need to become good neighbours, make friends with them and offer a bit of support."
The following organisations have already signed up to the coalition:
- The Association for Real Change
- The British Institute of Learning Disability
- Down's Syndrome Association
- Mencap
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- National Forum for People with Learning Difficulties
- People First (self-advocacy)
- Sense
- Turning Point
- United Response.
The coalition needs your support. To find out more about the coalition and to sign up online, go towww.learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk
- Ends -
For more information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or emailsarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.ukNotes to Editors:
United Response is a charity creating opportunities with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. Built around the changing needs of the people it supports, United Response provides everything from 24-hour care, through to supporting people to live independently in their own homes and helping people who want to work to find meaningful employment. United Response works with people throughout England and Wales supporting them to make decisions about how they want to live their lives and helping them to play an active role in their community.