2018-09-24 14:04:34

Voices to be Heard, the speak out group for people supported by Hft, has responded to a Petitions Select Committee consultation aimed at strengthening government legislation to prevent the online abuse of disabled people. Over 40 members of Voices to be Heard from across Hft’s services responded to the consultation, making it the group’s largest response to date.

The Select Committee began its investigation into online abuse in response to a petition, launched by Katie Price and signed by more than 200,000 people, which called for a specific criminal offence to cover online abuse and to create a register of offenders.

The Select Committee has submitted 14 draft recommendations, including making incitement of disability hatred a specific crime, and called for disabled people to give their feedback on their recommendations before producing a final report on online abuse. This is the first time a House of Commons Select Committee has run a full consultation on its proposed recommendations.

The most popular amongst Voices to be Heard members were suggestions that:

• “Social media companies should have to show that they have involved and listened to people with disabilities when they write their policies and plan how their sites work” (55%)
• “The Government should do a review to find out about the experiences of people with learning disabilities when they report crimes or have to give evidence to the police or in a court” (60%)
• “The Government must require schools to teach children about disability and how online bullying can affect people” (62.5%)

Amy Gordon, Programme Co-Ordinator for Involvement at Hft, commented:

“Voices to be Heard welcomed the consultation as an opportunity to represent people with a learning disability in the move to tackle hate and online abuse of disabled people by highlighting the particular issues that matter most to them. We feel it is vital that people with learning disabilities continue to be involved, at all levels, in both discussion and action if the Government is to bring about effective change.”

Notes to editors

For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk

About Hft

Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.

Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.

In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.

Learning disability versus difficulty

A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.

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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk