This book aims to raise awareness about the possibility of achieving the goals of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), in order for all disabled people to enjoy the benefit of human rights. The stories of people who have been supported to enjoy their rights and their citizenship will enable readers to focus on how services and support can enable people with a learning disability to have their rights upheld, with an outcome of citizenship, independence and achievement. Despite the UNCRDP being in place since 2006, a significant number of learning disability service provider organisations and professionals in the UK are not aware of its existence. This book aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice to demonstrate the value of a human rights approach as the foundation for services and support for people with a learning disability.Dr Liz Tilly is the founder and director of Building Bridges, a social enterprise of people with a learning disability which delivers training and inclusive research focused on 'making a difference' to the lives of people with a learning disability.

Professor Jan Walmsley is a historian of intellectual disability and Visiting Chair in History of Learning Disability at The Open University, UK.