What is Learning Disability Week?

Learning Disability Week is an opportunity to “celebrate what people with a learning disability bring to society” says Mencap.

When is Learning Disability Week 2026?

Learning Disability Week is always the third week of June each year. In 2026, it is from Monday 15th June to Sunday 21st June.

This year’s theme

People with a learning disability want to be seen, heard and valued, which is why this year’s theme is “Do you see me?” Mencap is campaigning for change so that statistics, such as the following, will improve:

86% of unemployed people with a learning disability want a paid job, yet only 26.7% of adults with a learning disability are employed.

On a typical Saturday, 1 in 3 people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour outside of their home.

More than 2,000 people with a learning disability and/or autism are currently locked away in mental health hospitals.

What is a learning disability?

According to Mencap, “A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability, usually identified soon after birth or in the early years, and will last a person’s whole life.”
Many people with a learning disability may find everyday activities challenging, such as household tasks, managing money, or socialising. Some people with learning disability also need to be fully supported in every area of their life, including staying safe, communication, and personal care. However, “with the right support and an inclusive community, people with a learning disability can thrive.”

How many people in the UK have a learning disability?

Mencap statistics tell us that:

There are 1.2 million adults with a learning disability in the UK. 977,000 adults with a learning disability in England, 54,000 adults with a learning disability in Wales, and 31,000 adults with a learning disability in Northern Ireland.

That means approximately 2.16% of adults in the UK are believed to have a learning disability.

The challenges people with learning disabilities face

The statistics paint a sobering picture of the health challenges that people with learning disabilities can face. For instance, 63 is the median age at death for adults with a learning disability, a whole 19.5 years less than the average age of death of the general population. In addition, they claim that 38% of people with a mild or moderate learning disability died an avoidable death, compared to 9% of people without a learning disability. Accessing healthcare that people without a learning disability take for granted can be much more difficult for people living with a learning disability, perhaps due to communication difficulties, or not being aware that they have options.

The importance of independence and choice

A lack of reasonable adjustments can prevent people with a learning disability from accessing equal healthcare. This is in contrast to what people with a learning disability would want. Every adult deserves the right to independence and to make their own choices, wherever possible. Mencap tells us that “people with a learning disability have worse physical and mental health than people without a learning disability” which demonstrates how important it is to break down accessibility barriers and ensure that services are as accessible as for people without a learning disability.

How to get involved in Learning Disability Week 2026

There are many ways to get involved with Learning Disability Week 2026. These include discovering the amazing things that people with a learning disability are doing locally and telling other people in your community about it. You can also look for Learning Disability Week resources, so that you can spread awareness of the event. Mencap are also hosting an online information session at 12pm on Tuesday 16th June 2026, online via Microsoft Teams. This is for anyone who would like to learn more about what the charity does, and the services they provide for people with a learning disability. Even just visiting a Mencap shop will support fundraising and help provide essential services.

How home care can support adults with learning disabilities

Home care can support adults with learning disabilities because it enables them to live independently in their own home, or more independently in a shared home, than they otherwise would be able to. Helping Hands support many adults with learning disabilities, helping them to attend education, work, and access support services. Because we’ve been supporting people in their own homes since 1989, we are highly experienced in every aspect of care at home. We’re considered the UK’s most trusted home care provider because we can support people with every aspect of their daily routine, including personal care, meal preparation, and mobility.

Supporting families and loved ones

Home care doesn’t just support the person living with a learning disability, it also helps their loved ones. This is because it gives family members an opportunity to attend to other things they need to do or even take a holiday. Knowing that their loved one with a learning disability will be well cared for in their absence may give parents or family carers confidence to take a break and have a chance to recharge their energy. It’s impossible to care for someone properly if your energy is depleted, so let Helping Hands provide comprehensive visiting or live-in care, delivered by compassionate, professional carers. We’ve received thousands of Trustpilot reviews that support how much we’ve supported family members by providing exceptional care for their loved ones too.

Further resources and support

The Mencap website has a wide range of information about Learning Disability Week, and how society can better support people living with learning disabilities. Brandon Trust also supports people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live the way they choose. At Helping Hands we’ve also got further information on our website, such as this article on Learning Disability Support.