A hundred years of joy and fulfilment celebrated
Centenary celebrations are under way for a 100-year-old non-profit body that supports people with learning disabilities.
As US-based Community Living columnist Mary O’Hara reports (page 13), AbilityFirst is marking a landmark anniversary working with people in Greater Los Angeles with a community and fundraising activities.
Founded in 1926 to serve children affected by polio, the organisation now supports individuals with a range of physical and developmental disabilities.
Guided by its mission to “foster joy and fulfilment”, AbilityFirst supported around 3,500 people and families in 2026 through education, employment services, youth initiatives and accessible recreation. It also runs adult day programmes with activities such as gardening, dances, coaching and independent living skills.
One in three disabled people aged 18-64 experience loneliness, according to Brown University’s School of Public Health. Integration and addressing isolation is central to AbilityFirst’s work.
Protest raises fears over loss of SEND support
Families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their allies protested in 12 English areas as part of the Save Our Children’s Rights campaign.
The recent protests, in places including Birmingham, Bristol, Derby and London, highlighted concerns about government SEND reforms.
It is feared these will undermine legal protections for education, health and care plans and reduce access to support, specialist placements and appeal rights.
The campaign is led by parent-led SEND website Special Needs Jungle and backed by a groups including charities Disability Rights UK and the Independent Provider of Specialist Education Advice. It argues families already experience support delays and inadequate provision.
As Special Needs Jungle reported, the plans suggest that “for all but children with the most ‘complex’ needs (whatever that means), the right to support that’s written in law and enforceable, is slated to be replaced with plans that may not be enforceable at all”.
Stories of human rights and reality
A book co-edited by a Community Living columnist highlights how people with a learning disability struggle to enjoy their full human rights.
The new edition of Rights in Practice for People with a Learning Disability: Stories of Citizenship, is edited by Jan Walmsley and Liz Tilly.
The book, originally published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2024, has an updated focus on disability rights and inclusion, exploring how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can be applied in everyday life.
It features contributions from almost 100 people in England, Wales and Ireland, including self-advocates and professionals, on education, independent living, work, health and justice.
The aim is to inspire people to promote rights-based approaches and citizenship for disabled people.
Paradigm gives resources to LDE
Long-time Community Living supporter Paradigm has given its work and resources to Learning Disability England after managing director Sally Warren decided to step back into working part time.
LDE said the partnership would strengthen its member-led work, supporting rights, inclusion and good lives for people and their families.
News briefs
Autism waits ‘exhausting’
Families seeking autism assessments experience an “exhausting” and “lonely” system, with long waits, complex paperwork and poor support after diagnosis. Ambitious About Autism’s survey of nearly 800 parents found more than one in 10 waited for four years or longer for a diagnosis for their child.
Research role for Ryan
Sara Ryan, Manchester Metropolitan University professor of social care, has been appointed a senior investigator by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Ryan’s research was recognised for tackling injustices faced by people with learning disabilities.
More autism support
Autism Central, a service from mental health charity Anna Freud, is expanding its online and telephone support sessions. It is now offering 7,000 one-to-one and 1,000 group sessions annually.
Election literacy promoters
Community Living sponsor United Response is training democracy champions across England to help people with learning disabilities and autism access clear, non-partisan election information. It is part of the charity’s My Vote My Voice campaign.
Bias: same but different
Young black men with experience of the care system and young South Asian disabled women face overlapping barriers linked to racism and disability discrimination, according to Mapping the Margins, a project led by the Race Equality Foundation with City St George’s, University of London.
All Update stories are by Saba Salman unless otherwise stated
What’s on our radar
From secure units to sustainable social care, progress is lacking. Saba Salman reports
Fifteen years after Panorama exposed the abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View assessment and treatment unit, campaigners have slammed the delays in moving people out of secure inpatient settings. Despite repeated government pledges since 2011 to develop community-based support, around 2,000 people remain detained across England. Those highlighting how successive reform programmes have failed to deliver include campaign group Rightful Lives, which stated that “nothing has changed”.
An independent review by former health minister Alan Milburn highlighted barriers faced by young disabled people in trying to find and keep work. Disability charities welcomed the findings in the government-commissioned report, which pointed to failures by both the government and employers. Almost one million 16-24 year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training; almost half report having a disability. Those with special educational needs or disabilities are significantly more likely to be unemployed. The full report is due this autumn.
Despite repeated government pledges since 2011 on community-based support, around 2,000 people remain detained in England
A new Care England report has given further evidence of how desperately adult social care needs a multi-year funding plan and a stable workforce to meet rising demand. The Power of Care report by the representative body for independent adult social care providers found that nearly two-thirds of sector respondents believe the system cannot meet current or future needs. Government plans for more community-based care will fail unless social care is given greater priority and placed on a more sustainable footing, said Care England.
