Our work
Showing what’s possible with a learning disability
We helped break stereotypes by showing that autism and learning disability are not barriers to achieving incredible things.
APPROACH
Dimensions’ Leaders’ List is the UK’s first national listing celebrating achievements of people with learning disabilities and autism who are challenging stereotypes and entrenched social prejudices, to make communities better for themselves and others.
To strengthen the media story for the launch of the List, we conducted research with people with learning disabilities, which uncovered the widespread sense isolation and the belief that society doesn’t understand what people with learning disabilities are capable of. Our campaign called for greater representation, to help tackle those societal biases.
The List’s winners became our spokespeople, and we made sure they felt empowered to speak with media, to help foster greater understanding.
RESULTS
From the start, our goal was to give people a platform to share their own stories and campaign for change. Over the years working on the Leaders’ List our coverage highlights included The Independent, Jeremy Vine Show, Daily Express, Pick Me Up! and Woman, with each of the pieces celebrating the List’s winners. We also helped Leaders to engage with local media themselves, by providing them with a media toolkit, resulting with a stream of dedicated regional coverage.
