This week is Learning Disability Week 2025!
Learning Disability Week is a time to celebrate the strengths, voices and contributions of people with a learning disability, and to challenge the barriers they still face.
This year’s theme is “Do You See Me?”
Throughout the week, we’ll be celebrating Learning Disability Awareness Week across our social media.
For more on Learning Disability Week, visit Mencap’s website for resources and information:
Mencap- Learning Disability WeekAs a part of Learning Disability Week, we spoke to Shaun and Claire, Oliver McGowan expert’s by experience, to share their thoughts on some of the myths about Learning disabilities, inclusion at work, and what their roles means to them.
Shaun’s perspective:
What’s a myth about people with Learning Disabilities?
“One myth is that people with a Learning Disability can’t communicate or take part in conversations, when it’s quite obvious that they can. You just need to take time to get to know the person and how best to communicate with them.
Another myth is that people with a Learning Disability are slow learners or aren’t expected to succeed. People with a Learning Disability CAN learn new skills and succeed with the right support and if they’re given opportunities. Please don’t judge a book by its cover!”
What makes you feel included at work?
“My reasonable adjustments being recognized makes me feel included. This includes help with travel arrangements and printing in larger font on yellow paper. Being part of the team feels like being part of the family.”
What do you like about working in the Oliver McGowan team?
“I enjoy meeting new people and working with different members of the team. Due to my past experiences I never thought there’d be a snowball’s chance that I’d be training groups of people. Now it’s just a normal part of my life. The money lets me build up a nest for a rainy day, and also gives me independence”
Claire’s perspective:
What’s a myth about people with Learning Disabilities?
“One myth about people with a learning disability is that they can all be put in the same box.
Obviously we’re not all the same. Everybody is different. There are people who can do quite a bit for themselves and need minimal support and there are people who have a lot more challenges and need quite a lot of support. There is a broad spectrum.
Another myth is that people with a learning disability can’t live independently or get married. With the right support, and if you have capacity, there’s no reason why you can’t. Because of my needs when I was younger, my parents didn’t think I would get married and move out, but I proved them wrong!”
What makes you feel included at work?
“My colleagues help me to feel included. I’m treated as an individual and spoken to normally, without being patronised. We’re treated as professionals with the same expectations you would expect in any professional environment. Everybody knows where the support is if they need it.”
What do you like about working in the Oliver McGowan team?
“It’s given me employment, and we know that people with a learning disability or autism can find it difficult to get into work. Having my own money gives me more freedom to live independently. My confidence and self esteem have grown since I started working with Living Options Devon.
As an Expert Co-trainer I have used some of the difficult experiences I’ve been through for good. So something bad happened, but something good has come out of it.”
A huge thank you to Claire, Shaun and the rest of the Oliver McGowan Team for all of your brilliant work! We’re proud to celebrate the difference you make every day!
To find out more about our Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for Learning Disability and Autism, click here.
