In Australia, up to 1 in every ten people has a learning disability. 

With Learning Disability Week taking place from the 19th – 26th of June this year, we wanted to take the opportunity to help spread awareness and correct misconceptions about people with learning disabilities. 

Community Access Care has built meaningful, long-lasting relationships with Participants of all learning abilities through providing disability support and independent living services. We are passionate about advocating for our Participants and doing what we can to ensure they are understood and feel safe in every aspect of their lives. 

We value the importance of sharing knowledge and helping people understand what learning disabilities are and how they affect those living with them. 

What is a Learning Disability?

Learning disability charity Mencap defines a learning disability as a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example, household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

It is important to mention a learning disability is not an intellectual disability. Intellectual disabilities affect every aspect of how the brain learns and understands. Learning disabilities only affect a specific area of learning. 

People with learning disabilities can also have other specific conditions, including Down’s syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

Health Direct Australia recognises the most common learning disabilities as:

• Dyslexia – Causes difficulties with reading and writing
• Dysphasia – Causes difficulties with speaking and understanding others’ speech
• Dysgrapahia – Causes difficulties with spelling and handwriting
• Dyscalculia – Causes difficulties with maths 

Learning disabilities can be present from birth from medical, physical or neurological conditions but can also stem from personal experiences or how someone grew up. In fact, it is not uncommon for learning disabilities to run in the family.

How can a Learning Disability affect a person?

People with a learning disability may need more time to process information and support to learn, develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with others.

Support for People with Learning Disabilities

As a disability service provider, Community Access Care provides disability support for people with learning disabilities that is dependent on the individual. 

Each person has their own strengths, abilities and interests, and their challenges or barriers to learning or carrying out their daily living tasks will be unique to the specifics of their learning disability. 

From mild to severe learning disabilities, we can help Participants however they need, from finding a job to providing full-time care and support in all aspects of their lives.

What is Learning Disability Week?

Learning Disability Week is an annual event dedicated to educating and raising awareness about learning disabilities. The week provides an excellent opportunity for parents, carers and teachers to share experiences and knowledge to “bust myths about living with a learning disability”. 

Mencap organises the event and aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities by “fighting stigma and discrimination and raising funds for outreach and support programs.” 

The theme of this year’s Learning Disability Week is Living life with a learning disability. 

People with learning disabilities will share their experiences online and in public spaces. This information sharing will be a great way for people to understand what it’s like to live with a learning disability and how different each person’s experience can be.

Why Spreading Learning Disability Awareness is Important

Learning disability awareness brings misconceptions and stereotypes to the forefront. Removing these harmful ideas is the best way to change attitudes and behaviours toward people with learning disabilities to encourage a positive impact in our Participant’s lives and in the community.

Only through education and understanding can people’s perspectives change, and Community Access Care is dedicated to aiding that change however and whenever we can.