This article highlights the role we all have to play in improving equality of access and health service provision for people with Learning Disability (LD). LD is defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind1 This is a growing population, and a third have difficulty seeing.2 Poor vision may not be easily communicated by someone with a LD. A change in vision may manifest as a change in behaviour or withdrawal, and these symptoms are under-recognised.

The Disability Discrimination Act 20053 covers access to public services and imposes a duty to make reasonable adjustments to usual practice to avoid discriminating against people with LD. This might include allowing extra time, planning separate visits for vision testing, refraction, doctor’s appointment, etc. The provision of appropriate materials, illustrated, written in plain language or video or audio should be …