This year is all about busting myths about living life with a learning disability. Well what are those myths? I spoke to Advocacy Matters Steering group about what they think.
‘People think we cannot stand up for ourselves’
‘People think we cannot work or have jobs’
‘People think we cannot learn to drive or have transport of our own’
‘People think that people who have a learning disability cannot live on their own’
Everybody is different
Everybody is different means exactly what is says.
‘People think we cannot learn to drive or have transport of our own’
I do not have a learning disability but cannot drive. This is not because I cannot understand but because I am a very nervous person and find it too stressful. However I know people with learning disabilities that drive cars and motorcycles.
People think we cannot work or have jobs’
Dr Mark Brooks has a Learning Disability and an honorary doctorate he works for Dimensions UK. He also has an MBE for his work in hate Crime. We are proud to say that Dr Brookes has supported Advocacy Matters helped train our staff, volunteers and steering group. Nuala and Alex do volunteer work in our office and have been invaluable in interviewing new staff.
‘People think we cannot stand up for ourselves’
Alex has developed a Self Advocacy Toolkit to support people to speak up for themselves. Advocacy is all about empowerment and ensuring that our advocacy partners are supported to speak up.
‘People think that people who have a learning disability cannot live on their own’
We know this is not true, Advocacy Matters support many people every year to move in to their own tenancies or to remain at home in their own homes with the right support.
Elssa Keegan