People with a learning disability – and the millions of family members, carers and support workers connected to them – can make their voices heard on the issues that matter to them at the 2015 General Election.

Hear David's voice -

My name is David House. I work for Harrow Mencap and I have a learning disability. I am Chair of Harrow Mencap's forum for people with a learning disability.

I have organised lots of events to encourage people with a learning disability in Harrow to register to vote.

I have also invited local and national candidates to our forum meetings so they can answer our questions.

Getting answers from your candidates

We meet before the event so we can plan what we want to ask candidates. People ask questions on all sorts of things: jobs, transport, cuts to services, health, policing, even fly-tipping! (That one's from me).

Candidates answer some questions easily, but when a question is harder, they often skirt around it in a clever way. Some candidates are good at communicating with people with a learning disability, some need to go back to school and be trained by people with a learning disability!

Getting a candidate to attend an event

To get candidates to come we write letters and email to invite them first, and then usually we need to chase them to remind them. I know they are busy, but I expect them to come because they are our representatives, and we pay their wages!

More from David here: http://www.mencap.org.uk/campaigns/hear-my-voice/hear-davids-voice

Mencap's Hear my voice campaign (England, Wales and N. Ireland) is here: http://www.mencap.org.uk/hearmyvoice?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Be%20Mencap%20-%20May%202014

The Awards celebrates and recognise the inspirational disabled children, young people and their families from grass root communities.

The Awards aim to support and provide a national platform to increase an awareness and understanding amongst Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities regarding disability. 

Role models, community champions, the personal journeys and achievements will be honoured at the award ceremony. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic disabled children, young people and their families will be honoured for their strength, courage, compassion, determination, and achievements. 

Closing date for Nominations is Wednesday 16th July 2014 at 5pm.

Visit: http://www.includemetoo.org.uk/awards 

When her daughter, Michelle, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before age 3, a medical provider recommended to Teri that Michelle be institutionalized – and to prepare herself for that reality.

Imagine hearing these words and what it must have felt like to a mother.

Teri didn't accept that her small daughter could never learn or grow and thrive. She searched for a place to educate Michelle, and for someone to support her, as a parent, so she could teach her child.

Her search took courage, stamina, and persistence, and the determined love of a mother. It led her to May Institute where she found what she needed for Michelle to have a future, and for herself to be the kind of mother she wanted to be.

Michelle is 20 now, and a student with us at a May Center School. She has gained self-determination, an education, and a paying job. Teri tells us:

'My daughter is one of the happiest, most emotionally stable people I have ever known. She may need 24/7 care in terms of supervision, but this child is very happy about who she is. And isn't that what we all want for our children? - for them to fly as far as they can?' 

Watch Teri's video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4HOI-M8EM&feature=share&list=UUOKEamCpVe8irXKfUWyPalQ

More information here: http://may.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=10361&em_id=2721.0