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Learning Difficulties & Disabilities

A Learning Difficulty or Disability is a physical or intellectual issue that a person has which can cause mild or severe difficulties in their ability to learn knowledge and skills as effectively as their peers.

How mencap defines a learning "difficulty" versus a "disability"...

Learning Difficulty

Learning "Difficulties" are usually more mild than disabilities. Difficulties do not affect general intellect, but do impede an individual's ability to learn new information. Examples include:

Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD)
Dyspraxia

A person may have one difficulty or a combination and the severity varies between individuals.

Learning Disability

Learning "Disabilities" are more severe than difficulties as individuals have a reduced ability with everyday tasks such as household chores, socialising and managing money, impacting their quality of life significantly. Conditions associated with intellectual disability may also result in physical disabilities as well. Examples include:

Down's syndrome
Williams syndrome
Autism and Asperger's syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
Global developmental delay
Cerebral palsy

As with difficulties, the severity of disabilities varies between individuals.

Anti-discrimination laws

It is unlawful to discriminate against workers because of a learning difficulty, physical or mental disability or fail to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a worker with a disability. Under the Equality Act 2010 a person is classified as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment, which, has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This includes hidden disabilities such as Mental Health.

Find out more information...

Mencap

Mencap is a leading charity supporting people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Their website provides lots of information and resources for learning more about how these conditions affect people and what support is available.

Go to the mencap website to find out more...

SEND and Additional Support

The Sheffield College offers a wide range of assistance to students with additional needs. Find out more about the support available on our main website and arrange to see a support officer if you want to find out more.

Find out more about our additional support

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