Hft has launched a long-term strategy to ensure learning disabled adults are not forgotten and shut out from society.

Hft 2033: Your life. Your way, was announced as an Opinium survey commissioned by the charity found over 60% believed the political agenda does not prioritise the needs of learning disabled adults, while a “a lack of funding” and “unchanging attitudes among the public” were preventing learning disabled people from living the best life possible.

Steve Veevers, chief executive of Hft, said: “This new long-term strategy has been developed after extensive co-production with representatives from all our audiences, including the people we support and our colleagues. They clearly demonstrated a desire for equity and for people to have respect for their contribution to their communities. They also wanted to have choice as to where and with whom they live, access to employment opportunities, and more control over how they lead their everyday lives.”

To enable Hft to achieve its ambitious strategy, the charity has also refreshed its brand and introduced a new strapline, Learning Disability Allies, to help it to be clearer about who it is and what it does, and reach more people.

“In the face of a perfect storm of funding pressures facing social care providers, our future strategy is underpinned by a focus on financial sustainability,” explained Veevers.

“We know we won’t be able to achieve our vision on our own and we want to work alongside learning disabled people, their families and the wider sector to create a different future. We are encouraged to see that 50% of the public in the Opinium survey said they had done something in the last 12 months that made them an ally of learning disabled people. If we can change this figure to 100%, we will have made major inroads to a more inclusive society, and to realising our vision of a future where learning disabled people can live the best life possible.”