Learning disabled 'deserve fair play'

Children with learning disabilities face discrimination every day

People with learning disabilities face discrimination as a routine part of their everyday lives, a major charity has said.

Mencap, the UK's leading learning disability charity is taking to the road to challenge such discrimination.

It wants to bring about positive change so that those it represents get "a fair chance" in life.

Mencap members, people with a learning disability, parents and carers are due to attend a campaign roadshow in Banbridge, County Down, on Tuesday.

We want to build a challenging discimination campaign and we are starting with our grassroots Alan Sheeran Mencap

It is the first in a series of meetings organised so that the charity's grassroots members have their say.

Top of the agenda are the problems facing people with a learning disability and how to make change happen.

Mencap aims to:

challenge discrimination faced by children and adults with a learning disability

Inform people with a learning disability of their rights in all aspects of their lives

Take the needs and experiences of learning disabled people to the desks of politicans and make the case for change

Alan Sheeran of Mencap said: "People with a learning disability come up against problems getting jobs, the public transport system does not help people attend meetings or socialise, too many people with a learning disability have problems getting the health care they need.

"We want to build a challenging discimination campaign and we are starting with our grassroots."

Mr Sheeran said the meetings were an opportunity to discuss problem ares and possible solutions.

The first Mencap roadshow is due to take place as a consultation into a single equality bill in Northern Ireland begins.

A seminar is scheduled to take place in Belfast on Tuesday to discuss the Bill.

Employers, trade unions, political parties, churches, equality and human rights commissions and the voluntary and community sector will be represented at the meeting.

A second seminar is scheduled for Londonderry on Thuesday 16 September.