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Exploring learning disabilities: supporting belonging
Exploring learning disabilities: supporting belonging

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4.2 Changing attitudes

Are laws, policies, statements of rights and even resources enough to ensure people with learning disabilities live their lives as equal citizens? Or for people to truly feel like they belong, do wider attitudes towards learning disabilities need to change? Complete Activity 8 now which asks you to consider what factors could help to change attitudes.

Activity _unit9.4.3 Activity 8 How people are valued

Timing: Allow about 5 minutes

First watch this video of Jan Walmsley, co-author of this course and expert in the social history of learning disability, talking about attitudes towards people with learning disabilities.

Download this video clip.Video player: Video 12
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Video _unit9.4.4 Video 12
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Now click the link below to answer the poll on what you consider the most significant factor needed to encourage people to change their attitudes and value those with learning disabilities more.

Link: Changing attitudes [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

Once you have submitted your choice you can then see how others have voted.

Changing society’s attitudes towards people with learning disabilities is one of the greatest challenges in helping people to feel like they belong. Prejudice can be very entrenched and difficult to tackle. It is important that more is done to shine a light on the challenges that people with learning disabilities face in their day-to-day life.

There is also a need to see and hear more examples of the positive contributions that people with learning disabilities make, and how they are valued by friends, family, and the wider community.

In the final section of this session, you will explore the important role of the workforce in helping people to feel like they belong.