The Law and Learning Disability

Abstract

The paper is divided into three substantive sections. The first section concerns the legal problems which may arise by using labels to describe a person, with particular reference to the situation where a person with a learning disability claims exemption from the UK community charge (local government finance) and the possible consequent restrictions this leads to upon her or his sexual relationships. The second section concerns the question of treatment and people who cannot consent for themselves, which has recently been considered by the House of Lords. The third section concerns a topic giving rise to considerable worry for people with learning disability and carers; how to deal with both sexual and physical abuse of people with learning disabilities.