Press Release

United Response welcomes report on human rights of adults with learning disabilities

6 March 2008

The national disability charity United Response has welcomed the publication today of The Joint Committee of Human Rights report, 'A Life Like Any Other?'

Chief Executive Su Sayer, has particularly welcomed the committee's recommendations on the need for a human rights based approach to healthcare, but has called for other issues such as a right to employment not to be overlooked.

Su Sayer said:

"We are pleased to the see the human rights of people with learning disabilities being placed so firmly on the political agenda through this report.

"We strongly support the prominence given to the right to healthcare. Discrimination and a limited understanding of learning disability in some health services has resulted in a number of cases where the people we support have not be able to access the healthcare they need. Some have even been refused treatment because of their disability, causing them both unnecessary stress and pain. This is unacceptable and we welcome the committee's stance on this.

"We are also pleased to see the committee making recommendations on the right to accessible information and the right to vote, both of which are key areas of United Response's work. We would however urge that the right to participate in other areas of life, such as paid work, are not overlooked.

"While the report touches on this point, much more needs to be done. Attitudes of employers, availability of support and the current welfare system all make a right to paid employment difficult for the majority of people with learning disabilities to access."