MP Virendra Sharma has given his backing to Mencap’s Hear my voice campaign.
The Ealing Southall Labour MP joined a host of other parliamentarians and future candidates who have signed-up to say they are listening to the voices of people with a learning disability, via www.hear-my-voice-org-uk .
The campaign seeks to ensure that people with learning disability and their families are heard by their local MPs and candidates in the lead up to the May 2015 General Election.
Mr Sharma said: "I'm listening to people with a learning disability because I feel strongly about this group of people being fully included in our society. Before I became an MP I worked for 10 years in learning disability services and have a first-hand experience of the many challenges faced by people with a learning disability and their families."
There are 1.4 million people with a learning disability in the UK and many say they are not listened to by those in power over issues like hate crime, healthcare and education.
Through the website, people with a learning disability and their families have a space to share their experiences with their local MP and, in return, MPs and candidates can show their support by signing-up to say they are listening.
Jan Tregelles, Mencap’s chief executive, said: "It is encouraging to see so many MPs listening to people with a learning disability and their families about the problems they face and the change they want to see in the next Parliament."
