Advocacy for people with learning disabilities

Having advocacy can be hard for people with learning disabilities but advocacy groups are enabling more people to speak for themselves.

• The two main types of advocacy in the UK are self-advocacy and citizen advocacy. Self-advocacy groups began in the UK in the 1980s.

• Local and national groups try to change things like benefits and transport. They say what they think about services, talk at conferences and run workshops.

• Citizen advocates support their partners to claim their rights to benefits and services. They also offer emotional support.