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

Thursday, 6 March 2008 12:00 AM

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."

Ends

For more information or to set up a photo opportunity please contact Sarah Bartlett in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5237or email sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk

Notes to editors:

United Response is a national charity that works with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs - including some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

We provide everything from 24 hour care to a few hours of support a week. United Response is community based, working in many localities across England and Wales.

Our mission is to support people with learning disabilities or mental health needs to take control of their lives. We design our care and support around each person and work with them to achieve real inclusion, independence and citizenship for all. We support people across the whole spectrum of learning disability and mental health and have developed a range of specialisms in working with people with the most complex needs, particularly person-centred active support.

We are working towards a society where people with learning disabilities or mental health needs are equal participants and have access to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

We have won several awards for our pioneering work and for being a top employer. In 2007 alone, we have been highly commended by the Charity Awards for our "Good To Great" approach to providing support, while the Charity Times named us one of the best six charities to work for in the UK. We are experts in the development of accessible communications.

United Response was founded in 1973 by chief executive Su Sayer. We are a top 100 charity, supporting more than 1,500 people throughout the UK at any one time and employing more than 2,000 staff. To find out more about our work go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk

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