There is a website called People First. It’s run by people with learning difficulties for people with learning difficulties. The website informs us that "much of society is not accessible to people with learning difficulties. Information is not accessible if it is long and complicated,with bigwordsand no pictures".

 

Consequently, the layout of their website is a lesson to us all in how to help people feel included. For those who find reading difficult, the information is presented in plain English, supported with photographs and pictures.

 

There is a toolbar to help you make the print larger or change the colour of the display for those with visual impairments.

 

Alternatively , you can click on a symbol to access a spoken version of the website.

 

People First is a movement which campaigns for the right of people with learning difficulties to dowhat the name suggests be regarded first and foremost as people.

 

Along with being defined by their humanity rather than their disability ,they are seekingto be afforded the same opportunities as everyone else in society to enable them to reach their full potential.

 

People First also supports and encourages people with learning difficulties to be "self-advocates" and to speak for themselves.

 

"We are often left out and our voices are not heard," the website says.

 

"Self-advocacy is important because many people with learning difficulties spend their lives being told what to do."

 

People with learning difficulties are set to play a significant part in the life of our city and county in the coming year.

 

Last Sunday morning, the ringing of bells and a fan fare of trumpets welcomed the new Lord Mayor of Leicester , Manjula Sood, into the Cathedral for the Civic Service.

 

During her inaugural speech, the Lord Mayor announced that her chosen charity for the year will be the Special Olympics A day later, Manjula officially launched the games at a celebration held at the Peepul Centre.

 

During the opening ceremony, she said: "The Special Olympics raise awareness of the capabilities of people with learning disabilities, and give all those who take part the opportunity to achieve amazing things."

 

In July 2009, Leicester will be the venue for the eighth Special Olympics National Games and this is the second time the city will have hosted the games. The city will play host to 2,700 athletes with learning difficulties from all over the country who are scheduled to take part.

 

Not to be confused with the Paralympics, which are for people with physical disabilities, Special Olympics Great Britain aims to provide sports training and athletic competition for the 1.2 million children and adults with learning disabilities in this country .

 

Campaigns and events such asthe Special Olympics, which helps people with learning difficulties achieve their full potential, are much needed.

 

People with learning disabilities often face discrimination and marginalisation in most aspects of their lives and lack acess to the same level of opportunity.

 

At a recent conference,charities suggested eight out of 10 children with learning disabilities are bullied and 60 per cent have been physically hurt.

 

It is also widely documented that people with a learning disability are more at risk of being victims of serious crimes.

 

Stephen Lawrence is probably the most well-known victim of a racially motivated murder, but Stephen Hoskin, who had learning disabilities, looks set to be the first person that comes to mind when we think of violent crime against disabled people.

 

Stephen’s death was much reported in the media after he plunged to his death froma viaduct, having been forced to swallow 70 Paracetamol tablets by his three abusers.

 

The Special Olympics will serve to remind us of the many talents of people with learning difficulties.

 

As the People First website demonstrates, we have much to learn from them, as well as to give them.

The Special Olympics will also serve to remind us of the challenges still to be faced by society before people with learning difficulties are fully included and accepted as valued and equal members of the human race.

 

In my experience, these people show us how to laugh, how to trust, how to have fun and how to be unselfconscious.

 

In the end, these things matter more than all our self-regarding sophistication.

 

For more information, go to www.peoplefirstltd.com