Learning Disability Week 2025 runs from Monday 16th June, and this year's theme "Do you see me?" highlights the importance of ensuring people with learning disabilities are truly seen, heard, and valued in our communities. 

Learning Disability Week is an annual event that showcases what life is like for people with learning disabilities, whilst highlighting the barriers they face and recognising their achievements. For those working in the supported living sector, this week provides valuable insight into why quality housing and support services matter. 

This year's theme focuses on ensuring people with learning disabilities are genuinely recognised as individuals with their own hopes, dreams, and contributions to make. Being valued means that people are respected by others, and their views and feelings are listened to - principles that underpin effective supported living. 

The theme encourages us to look beyond assumptions and see the person behind the disability, recognising their unique personality, talents, and potential. 

In the supported living sector, we have opportunities to ensure that people with learning disabilities are not just housed, but truly seen and valued. This includes: 

Creating Person-Centred Environments Supported living properties can reflect the individual needs, preferences, and personality of residents. This might involve incorporating sensory-friendly features, ensuring accessibility, or creating spaces that feel like home. 

Supporting Independence and Choice Quality supported living enables people with learning disabilities to make decisions about how they live, who they live with, and what support they receive. It focuses on the person's potential for independence alongside their support needs. 

Building Community Connections Placing supported living properties within established neighbourhoods creates opportunities for people with learning disabilities to be part of their wider community, helping to break down barriers and misconceptions. 

The week highlights the things that people with learning disabilities accomplish. In supported living settings, these achievements might include someone learning to cook independently, building friendships with neighbours, or pursuing their interests and hobbies. 

The week also examines barriers that people with learning disabilities face. In housing and property, these barriers can include: 

• Limited accessible housing options 
• Assumptions about suitable accommodation types 
• Lack of understanding from landlords or neighbours 
• Insufficient funding for adaptations or specialised features 

Property Investors and Developers Consider how properties can better serve people with learning disabilities. This often involves practical considerations like proximity to public transport, shops, and community facilities, or ensuring properties feel welcoming and homely. 

Care Providers The week offers an opportunity to showcase the work residents are doing and the progress they're making, helping others understand the person behind the disability. 

Local Authorities and Commissioners A chance to review housing strategies and ensure they reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of people with learning disabilities. 

Whilst Learning Disability Week provides focus, the principles behind "Do you see me?" remain relevant throughout the year. Property selection, service design, and day-to-day interactions can all be informed by a commitment to seeing and valuing people with learning disabilities as individuals. 

Quality housing provides the foundation for people with learning disabilities to build relationships, pursue their interests, and contribute to their community. People with learning disabilities represent one of the largest tenant groups in supported living, and creating more high-quality options means providing opportunities for people to be seen, heard, and valued. 

The demand for supported living accommodation continues to grow, making this an important time to consider how the sector can better serve this community. 

Learning Disability Week offers an opportunity to reflect on how to better support people with learning disabilities: 

• Learn more about learning disabilities and examine assumptions 
• Support local learning disability organisations 
• Consider how property portfolios could better serve people with learning disabilities 
• Advocate for inclusive housing policies 

This Learning Disability Week reminds us to see people with learning disabilities as the unique individuals they are. 

For more information about Learning Disability Week 2025, visit the official Learning Disability Week webpage.