A freedom of information request, conducted by Mencap, found that 20% of local authorities did not provide any Portage services for children with special educational needs and disabilities.The research also showed that 37% of councils reduced their expenditure on Portage last year, with 21% proposing reductions this year.Portage is a home visiting educational service for… Read More Children with learning disabilities face Portage ‘postcode lottery’

At last May’s elections, disabled Adam Lotun made the 350-yard journey to his polling station.It was his first time going to vote in a wheelchair. “In previous elections I’ve used a stick,” he says.When he reached the station at a local community centre, he followed the access signs for disabled people to a ramp where… Read More Disabled voters are being locked out of our democracy

People with learning disabilities and their families won’t tolerate it if proposals to strengthen their rights and tackle high rates of institutional care are dropped after the election, care minister Norman Lamb has said. The government has published a set of proposals to amend legislation and statutory guidance to improve care for people with learning… Read More Lamb: ‘Families won’t tolerate learning disability reforms being ditched post-election’

Adults with learning disabilities in Omagh are being supported to live full lives in a new housing scheme officially opened by the Northern Ireland’s Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey.The Omagh Supported Living Service, formerly known as Ashley House, provides high quality accommodation and support services to 16 tenants with learning disabilities.OakleeTrinity and Mencap have worked… Read More New learning disabilities service opens in Omagh

Mexican women with psychosocial disabilities are suffering systematic abuse of their sexual and reproductive rights, according to a new study..The study, carried out by the Washington-based group Disability Rights International, found that 42% of the women interviewed had been pressured by their families and health professionals into being sterilised, with some subjected to operations without… Read More Mexican women with mental health problems pressured into sterilisation

A new centre to help people with learning disabilities is set to open its doors this week.The New Options centre, in Hertford Road, Enfield Lock, will host a plethora of activities for up to 40 people with learning disabilities in any one go.Painting, arts and crafts, music, quizzes, cooking, keep fit and Zumba classes will… Read More Learning disabilities centre to open this week

When Mary Kate Graham, 40, was a baby, people would often ask her mom if she thought something was awry, as the infant had trouble sitting up and changing position on her own, and was preternaturally quiet. “I kept saying, ‘She’s just a good baby, can’t you believe that?’” Mary Kate’s mom, Maureen, tells Yahoo… Read More When It Comes to Her Daughter’s Future, One Aging Mom Is Learning to Let Go