Background

• A learning disability is a lifelong condition, acquired before or soon after birth, that limits intellectual capacity. People with a learning disability have a greater than average difficulty in learning. It does not mean they cannot learn, but they might initially need extra support in the workplace to do so. With appropriate training and support, people with a learning disability can and do make a huge contribution to their workplace.
  
  
• Learning disability is not the same as mental illness. People develop mental health problems throughout their life, and many people with mental health problems can overcome their condition with time. A learning disability is not an illness and it cannot be cured.
  
  
• Some people have a mild learning disability, for others the disability is more significant. Some people have additional sensory or physical impairments (such as blindness or deafness). Just like everybody else, people with a learning disability all have different skills and abilities. Therefore it is imperative that each person is treated as an individual.