This week is Learning Disability Week and it’s important to understand what a learning disability is as well as acknowledging that everyone is different and experiences different conditions. The purpose of learning disability week is to smash stigmas, to fight and campaign for a fair society and to educate. According to MenCap a learning disability is “a reduced intellectual ability where someone has difficulty with everyday activities, which can affect them for their whole life.” People with learning disabilities may need support when learning, communicating, and understanding human interaction.
One way we can improve inclusion and give those with learning disabilities more opportunities is to create chances for them to participate in sport and physical activities. Research has shown that team physical activities can provide these individuals with a community and it’s a great way for them to make friends and improve their socialising skills. Physical activity can enrich their lives also as it adds movement to their routine whilst also promoting patience, resilience and self-esteem.
Mencap have been working alongside Sport England to provide workshops and activity packs for those with learning disabilities where they are encouraged to try different activities from home using their cards. These include walking exercises, exercises involving drawing, balls, and general fitness activities that range from easy to hard. This first step allows those who are less confident in physical activity, to find what they enjoy doing so they can then possibly join a group or take these exercises outside. See below for the link to these resources.
The importance of finding what works best for you is built into the Active Essex Find Your Active philosophy, as we believe in the importance of physical activity and how it can enrich everyone’s lives no matter their background. Our Activity Finder is a great place to start looking for something that interests you and we encourage everyone to try these groups. Living with a learning disability can be difficult as you may feel removed from mainstream active environments, but inclusivity is something we strive for and believe the groups, sessions and classes we support are welcoming to all.
We have been fortunate enough to fund projects that support young people with SEND and this has given children opportunities to partake in physical activity in a safe environment. In Maldon, through Active Essex funding, children and young adults were given swimming opportunities and were then encouraged to carry on after the initial lessons and attend regular sessions. Parents of the children fed back to us that the lessons made a big difference in their child’s life and had increased their confidence and self-esteem.
It’s programmes such as this, that show the positive impact physical activity can have have on the lives of young people living with a learning disability, both physically and mentally.
We hope that this Learning Disability Week, is a chance for everyone to better understand learning disabilities and encourage those living with them, to consider trying a new movement or activity that will improve their wellbeing.
Activity Alliance’s Being Active guide:
https://www.activityalliance.org.uk/how-we-help/resources/1729-being-active-guide
