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In the UK, 1.2 million people have some form of learning disability. Of these
approximately 200,000 are adults with a severe learning disability.
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In Northern Ireland two babies will be born this week with a learning disability.
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It is estimated that 2% of the population – or 33,000 people in Northern Ireland
have a learning disability.
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A learning disability can affect someone's life in many ways, causing difficulties
in learning, communicating or doing everyday things.
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Learning disabilities have many different causes, but are always lifelong.
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9 out of 10 people with a learning disability will have experienced bullying
in the last year.
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6 out of 10 people with a severe learning disability live with their parents,
a third of whom are over the age of 70.
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Most young people with a learning disability leave school without formal qualifications
– mainly because there are no national curriculum exams geared to their needs.
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Most adults with a learning disability will not be in full-time paid employment.
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Most adults with a learning disability continue to live in the family home with
their parents, with access to alternative supported housed options often being
triggered by a crisis, such as the serious illness or death of a carer.
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Some people with a learning disability live in a hospital, others spend much
of their lives in residential settings.
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Few people with a learning disability are able to drive. Most are dependent on
others for the transport which allows them to access services.
