Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin MLA meets Mencap Advocates

Published: 28 May, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady recently met young people with learning disabilities at the mall in Armagh. Mr Brady and the group from Mencap met to discuss the many issues that affect people with learning disabilities in society.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Brady said, "First of all I would like to commend Mencap for the work that they do on behalf of people with learning disabilities. It is important that these young people are given the opportunities to play a full role in every aspect of life.

"The needs of people with learning disabilities are at the core of Sinn Féin's work in the Assembly.

"We intend to ensure that resources are delivered on the basis of need and that means organisations like Mencap and people with learning disabilities getting the support that they require.

"Many serious issues were raised at the meeting, such as anti-social behaviour and the regular abuse of disabled parking bays

"It was also noted that the closures at the hospital in Armagh will have a negative impact on the local community here.

Mr Brady concluded by stating that he found the meeting very worthwhile and that he intends to do all he can in order to highlight and resolve the issues raised at the meeting.

Notes to Editors

Mencap in Northern Ireland

§ Mencap in Northern Ireland works in local communities with

people with a learning disability and their families and carers, fighting to end discrimination and prejudice, and providing a range of advice, information and support services.

● A learning disability can affect someone's life in many ways,

causing difficulties in learning, communicating and doing everyday things. Learning disabilities have many different causes, but are always lifelong. A learning disability does not prevent someone from learning and achieving a lot in life, if given the right support.

● Over 33,000 people in Northern Ireland have some form of

learning disability. Of these, 26,500 are known to Health and Social Services and over 4,000 have a profound learning disability.

● In Northern Ireland 2 babies will be born this week with a

learning disability. They will face discrimination all their lives.

Mencap are fighting to put a stop to this.

● For information about learning disability issues please call

Mencap's Information Service on 0808 808 1111 or email mencapni@mencap.org.uk

● People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in

life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want