Mencap: make art activities more accessible.

Mecap wants organisations to make arts activities more accessible to young people with a learning disability. Every young person should have the chance to pursue a career, or even a hobby, without restrictions.

The 2010 Youth Arts Consultation, a research report produced in partnership with the Mencap arts team and the Arts Council England, found that it is much harder for young people with a learning disability to access the arts than their peers. The report makes a number of recommendations for improvements including: a ‘carers-go-free’ scheme to be introduced by more organisations and venues. Currently nearly 2 in 3 young people polled rely on carers, parents, taxis, or specialist transport to attend arts activities. Consult with people with a learning disability and their supporters about suitability for scheduled times for activities.

Venues should consider event timings to better dovetail with local public transport timetables. One young person said: "I'd like to do more film making. I'd like to show my films to other people". If organisations make arts activities more accessible, this could be a real possibility for thousands of young people with a learning disability. As well as making key recommendations for improvements, the 2010 Youth Arts Consultation contains detailed information of current arts activities available to young people with a learning disability.