Learning Disability Week runs from 15–21 June 2026. Led by Mencap, this year’s theme, “Do you see me?”, is a message created by people with a learning disability themselves, calling for them to be seen, heard and valued rather than defined by their diagnosis. According to Mencap, only 26.7% of adults with a learning disability are in paid employment, even though 86% of those who are unemployed want a job – and 1 in 3 people with a learning disability spend less than an hour outside their home on a typical Saturday.
The scale of the issue
Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability. Despite decades of progress, many still face everyday barriers to things most people take for granted – getting a job, going out, making decisions about their own care, or simply being spoken to rather than spoken about. Mencap’s manifesto also highlights that over 2,000 people with a learning disability and/or autistic people remain in mental health hospitals, often far from home, when the right community support could mean they don’t need to be there at all.
What “being seen” actually means
“Do you see me?” is about more than visibility for its own sake. It’s about:
– Being included in decisions about your own life and care, not just talked over
– Having your skills and potential recognised, not just your support needs
– Being part of ordinary community life – work, hobbies, relationships – not kept apart from it
– Being treated as an individual, not a category
Common barriers
– Assumptions made about someone’s abilities based on their diagnosis rather than getting to know them
– Lack of accessible information, making it harder to understand choices or give informed consent
– Limited opportunities for paid work, despite clear demand from people who want it
– Social isolation, particularly for people who rely on others to get out and about
How to mark the week
You don’t need a grand gesture. Talking to someone with a learning disability as you would anyone else, challenging assumptions when you hear them, or simply sharing Mencap’s resources with friends and colleagues all help shift the everyday culture this campaign is pushing against.
How we can help
At Synergy Complex Care, we support people with learning disabilities to live as independently as possible, in their own homes and communities, rather than in institutional settings. Our care is built around getting to know each person properly – their preferences, communication style, and goals – so that support is shaped around them, not the other way round. We work alongside families and healthcare professionals to build routines that give people genuine choice and involvement in their own lives, whether that’s support to access work, maintain relationships, or simply do more of what they enjoy.
This Learning Disability Week, we’re reminded that good complex care isn’t just about meeting physical or clinical needs – it’s about making sure people are truly seen. If you’d like to talk to us about care that puts the person first, we’re here.