Introduction

The Learning Disabilities Research Group at the University of Cambridge, established with a grant from The Health Foundation, is part of the Section of Developmental Psychiatry in the Academic Department of Psychiatry. In this context "learning disabilities" is the term used by the Department of Health in England to refer to a group of people who have in common early developmental delay and intellectual and functional impairments. It has replaced terms that are now unacceptable, such as 'mental handicap' and 'mental retardation' and means the same as the term "intellectual disabilities" which is increasingly used internationally.

The Group has close affiliations with the local services for people with learning disabilities managed by the Learning Disability Partnership and with local, national, and international voluntary organisations. We are founder members of the Centre for Participation that supports user involvement in research, together with Speaking Up, the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education, statutory learning disability services, and the local Valuing People support team.

The research group brings together diverse disciplines with the aim of undertaking research, the results of which will benefit people with learning disabilities. Senior members of the group include those in the disciplines of molecular biology, psychiatry, psychology, and sociology, and also affiliations with other Departments and Universities in the disciplines of genetics, law, geography and philosophy. Research is supported through the award of grants from external funding bodies and through PhD studentships. The research of the Group is diverse aiming to bring together differing perspectives and partners to make real advances in a complex and demanding field of study.

The web-site describes our work and sets out our aims and objectives. If you are interested to find out more information please contact Sue Hampton-Matthews by telephone, e-mail, or letter.

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Introduction