Challenging Discrimination and Stigma

Even before a person with a learning disability develops dementia, they are likely to have been subjected to discrimination as a result of other people’s attitudes towards them.

You may have seen examples of discrimination when you have supported a person in the community, or even from supporting a person to access healthcare or other services that you might take for granted in your personal life.

If a person with a learning disability then develops dementia, discrimination can be compounded through the mistaken beliefs of other people or attitudes from within communities.

People from minority groups like BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic), LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) and traveller communities are amongst other sectors of society that face increased discrimination, and if a person with a learning disability also aligns themselves with one of these groups they are likely to be subjected to even greater levels of marginalisation and discrimination.

Contents of this mini book:

• Definition of discrimination 
• Why people with a learning disability are at increased risk of discrimination
• Additional discrimination seen when people have Dementia
• Definition of Stigma
• Why stigma is historically a BIG problem in Dementia
• The importance of challenging stigma to support living well
• What has been done to tackle stigma?
• The national ambition for reducing discrimination and stigma
• How discrimination and stigma can make a person feel
• Recognising discrimination and stigma in everyday life
• How to support a person when they are the subject of discrimination or stigma
• Reporting concerns
• How you can avoid being discriminatory or stigmatising
• Combating discrimination and stigma
• Taking inspiration from the disability movement 
• Education! Education! Education!