Unity Co-Chair Mary heads to Downing Street to call for action on learning disability health inequalities 

The letter, backed by more than 1,200 signatories, including people with learning disabilities, family members, support organisations and allies, highlights the significant health inequalities that continue to affect the 1.3 million people with learning disabilities living in England. 

Representatives from Learning Disability England and partner organisations delivered the letter to Downing Street on 13^th July 2026, ensuring that the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities were heard at the highest level of Government. 

The campaign calls for action to address a number of long-standing concerns, including: 

• Health inequalities and poorer health outcomes 
• The gap in life expectancy for people with learning disabilities 
• Preventable deaths 
• Barriers to accessing healthcare services 
• Declining numbers of specialist learning disability nurses 
• The lack of a dedicated national learning disability health strategy

Signatories are calling for the creation of a new national NHS programme for people with learning disabilities, co-led by a person with a learning disability and developed through genuine co-production with people who have lived experience. 

Mary said: 

“People with learning disabilities face unacceptable health inequalities and are overlooked when it comes to NHS planning. Delivering this letter to Downing Street was a chance for us to remind the Government that people with learning disabilities deserve the same chance to live healthy, fulfilling lives as everyone else.” 

While the letter recognises positive progress, including the rollout of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism and recent legislative developments, campaigners believe more coordinated action is needed to achieve meaningful and lasting change. 

The campaign is rooted in Learning Disability England’s Good Lives Framework, which has been developed with and led by people with learning disabilities and sets out a vision for equal, inclusive and healthy lives. 

At Achieve together, we’re passionate about ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are heard, valued and acted upon. Through groups such as Unity and Campaign 4 Change, people we support play a leading role in influencing change both within our organisation and across wider society. 

We are incredibly proud of Mary for helping champion the rights of people with learning disabilities and for representing the voices of so many people at this important national event. 

To find out more about the campaign or add your support, visit Learning Disability England’s website.