I was sent my monthly e mail from Mencap [a charity supporting people with learning difficulties] which highlighted the fact that this week is Learning Disability Week.
As part of the week Mencap is launching its 'Stand By Me' campaign to stop disability hate crime.
Yes in this modern world we still have people who will pick on, harass and even murder people based on their perceived ability. That fact is nothing short of shocking really and what it has to come down to is ignorance.
For starters children don't get taught about disability much in schools. Then cildren and adults often don't have a lot of contact with people with learning difficulties [or disabled people generally for that matter].
This lack of education and contact turns into prejudice, which is when unfavourable opinions or thoughts are formed without knowledge, thought or reason...
Until children and adults are really educated about disability this will be a never ending problem.
To find out more about Learning Disability Week:
www.mencap.org.uk/news/article/it-s-learning-disability-week
