We were shocked to read this article in the Guardian yesterday, which reports on how learning disabled couples are struggling to marry, because parts of society – or in this case the local authority involved – don’t believe they have the ability to make decisions for themselves.

The Head of Policy at Mencap is quoted in the piece as saying that Poole Council’s actions reflect a much wider issue of professionals’ poor grasp of the Mental Capacity Act and how to use it.

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is promoted as being a safeguard to ensure that ‘people are given the right help and support to make their own decisions’. Not as seems to be the case with the couple reported in the Guardian piece.

Creative Minds thinks this is an example of society’s patronising and limited attitude towards learning disabled people, an attitude that we feel may well be present in the art world too.

What do you think?