Statement on policy and practice for adults with a learning disability

All Wales People First has been actively involved in preparing this Statement on Policy and Practice for Adults with a Learning Disability. This has been a welcome opportunity for people with learning disabilities to get directly involved in policy making. We were able to give our very valuable viewpoint which reflects the desires, hopes, dreams, wants and needs of people with learning disabilities. Our involvement has come about through our membership of the Learning Disability Implementation Advisory Group that was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government following its response to the Fulfilling the Promises report. Many different groups, including parents, carers, and health, social services and education professionals, have been involved in producing this statement. It is a vision for everyone involved with learning disability. The Statement on Policy and Practice will help to make it more possible for people with learning disabilities to become included in community living and have more opportunities to develop our own lifestyles. We want to build bridges between us and the world out there and we see this as a two way process. We want people to understand us better and value us. We can make a valuable contribution to the community and we can help people in the community to recognise us as valued citizens. Making these links, would make the community safer for all