This document outlines the agenda for the LDA England launch event on November 21st 2014 in Manchester. The agenda includes times for chatting, a film, voices from people with learning disabilities, messages of support, and a debate about plans and next steps. The event aims to officially launch the Learning Disability Alliance England as a new organization to advocate for the rights of people with learning disabilities and hold the government accountable. Supporting messages are included from organizations in England and Scotland that will work with LDA England on issues like welfare reform, independent living, and ensuring the voices of people with disabilities are heard.

1. #ldalaunch
21st November 2014 - Manchester

2. 9.30 Time to Chat
10.00 Film
10.15 Voices
10.40 Messages
10.50 Debate
11.20 Action
12.00 Promises
12.15 Photo
12.30 End, More Time to Chat
#ldalaunch

3. Thank You
Nicola Protopapadakis
People First England
Bringing Us Together
National Forum
H&SA
VoiceAbility
National Valuing Families Forum
Rachel Mason
ARC
Advisory Group
#ldalaunch
Tim Keilty

4. #ldalaunch
Voices
Why people believe LDA England matters

5. • Karen
• Gary
• Simon
• Katie & Paula
#ldalaunch
• Kerry
• Bob
• Suzie
• John
anyone else?

6. #ldalaunch
Messages
Support from from people who couldn’t be here

7. #ldalaunch
This is a critical moment for people with
learning disabilities to make their voices heard.
The new Learning Disability Alliance, by
virtue of its make-up and clear focus, is in a
strong position to make that case to
government, employers, those running public
services and to the public at large. I wish the
new Alliance well as it undertakes this vitally
important work.
Julia Unwin - Joseph Rowntree Foundation

8. #ldalaunch
At the Learning Disability Alliance Scotland we are really
chuffed that the Learning Disability Alliance England has
been set up. Despite all the recent work over the referendum
there are many concerns that we share – welfare reform,
employment, the development of the economy and equality
issues. We think that there will be many more things that are
devolved that we can still cooperate on. Many people don’t
realise that case law and precedent in Scotland or England
often applies in both.
Austerity makes us all brothers and sisters. We hope that
together we can really begin to change the way that people
with learning disabilities are seen and listened to matter
where they live in the United Kingdom. Together we are
stronger.
Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland

9. #ldalaunch
Values Into Action Scotland promotes rights, choice and
control for people with learning difficulties and individuals on
the autistic spectrum. Although the journey was by no way
completed, we have seen real progress over the years in
peoples’ lives. Much of what had been achieved has quickly
eroded since 2010.
We welcome Learning Disability Alliance England as a
new organisation who will work with us to fight attacks on
human rights; growing inequality and poverty; barriers to
independent living; exclusion from work opportunities and
limited access to housing. Together we are stronger.
Norma Curran, Values Into Action Scotland

10. #ldalaunch
The National Valuing Families Forum voted to support The
work of the Learning Disability Alliance at their last National
Meeting. It was a unanimous decision from family representatives
across nine regional forums. This in itself is a powerful message.
Families of people with learning disabilities seem to be clearly
saying that they want to highlight inequalities in the way that that
their children and their friends are being treated in educational,
social and medical settings. Simply put... in their lives.
Before the next General Election in 2015, families will work with
the Learning Disability Alliance to inform themselves and the
wider public about intentions of each Political Party towards
people with learning disabilities and their families. There will be
some BIG Conversations.
Vicky Raphael, National Valuing Family Forum

11. #ldalaunch
The Coalition’s policies have for four years caused harm to
people with learning disabilities. Social care has been cut by 28
per cent, housing rights slashed, benefits cuts have pushed
people into poverty, and continue to do so, and it is a morally
and socially unacceptable fact that the government’s addiction
to austerity is hitting people with disabilities harder than anyone
else in society.
The Green Party is delighted to join its voice to the LDA and
others to say “no more”. We cannot – and will not – stand for
more attacks on society’s most vulnerable people. It is the
government’s responsibility to protect the people of the United
Kingdom. Instead, the Coalition has decided to stigmatise and
attack the vulnerable. We join the LDA in its campaign to
challenge the government’s bad policies and we will help to
safeguard the rights and welfare of people with learning
disabilities.’
Natalie Bennett - Green Party Leader

12. #ldalaunch
I’m really sorry that I can’t be in Manchester today. I’m in Parliament to back a
very important Private Members Bill, which seeks to reverse the most
damaging aspects of the changes this Government has afflicted on the NHS.
However I wanted to warmly welcome, and congratulate you all, on forming
Learning Disability Alliance England. By coming together, and pooling your
strengths, LDAE will be a powerful organisation that fights for the issues that
matter most to people with learning disabilities, and ensures their views and
voices are heard at every level.
I stand firmly on your side in championing a society where everyone is equal,
where each of us is empowered as full citizens to fulfil our aspirations, and
which values the qualities that make each of us unique. We know that there’s a
long road ahead before we genuinely secure equal rights for people with
learning disabilities. At every step of this journey, you will rightly challenge and
hold all political parties to account. Whilst we may not always agree, I will
always be open and listen to the hugely important contribution you make.
Today marks a huge step forward in the vital work you do to fight for rights,
equality and social justice. I look forward to working with you in the run up to
the General Election next year and beyond. Good luck with your event today -
please do let me know how it goes!
Liz Kendall MP for Leicester West
and Shadow Minister for Care and Older People

13. We did ask, but we have yet to hear from:
the Conservative Party,
the Liberal Democrat Party
or UKIP.
#ldalaunch

14. #ldalaunch
Debate
A chance to talk about our plans

15. the plan (so far)
• Encourage as many people to join as possible
• Agree (with National Forum) the right questions to be asking about
Government
• Mark the Government’s performance (by members voting) - Quality
Checking Government
• Publish Verdict in Parliament in February
• Work with political parties and mark each of them in advance of the May
General Election
• Maximise media interest
• Get the vote out - people families and other citizens

16. Just 166 days to the
General Election
Launch
What else
can we do?
#ldalaunch
Is this a good
Set
plan?
What else might
Questions Poll Verdict
help us?
What else do we
need to think
about?
Mark
Parties GE: May 7
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April GE: May 7

17. #ldalaunch
Action
A chance to make some plans

18. #ldalaunch
Promises
Sharing our plans for the future