Member's statement: Learning Disability Pride 2025
Member's statement by Mr Danny Donnelly on .
- MLA
- Mr Danny Donnelly
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 23 June 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Learning Disability Pride 2025
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5045660
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On Saturday, I was delighted to attend Learning Disability Pride 2025 in Carrickfergus, in my constituency of East Antrim. The day was filled with creativity, joy and community spirit. It was a vibrant and inclusive occasion, celebrating individuals with learning disabilities and raising awareness across the wider community. I pay tribute to the organisers and everyone who took part in delivering such a positive, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable event. The day began with a spectacular carnival parade, which set off from Carrickfergus Rangers Football Club and made its way along the seafront to the castle. The streets were alive with music, dancing and laughter, as schools, community groups and organisations, such as Access Employment Ltd (AEL), Mencap, the Greenisland Bears and many more, proudly took part. The creativity shown by the costumes, performances and displays was a true reflection of the energy and talent in our learning disability community. As the celebrations carried on into the afternoon, the harbour car park came alive with vibrant activity. Uplifting performances by members of the local learning disability community were followed by live music from the host, Q Radio's Amy McGuckin. A colourful array of local food and craft stalls also added to the festival atmosphere. The weather was with us, and the energy was infectious, creating lasting memories for all who attended. The day's programme featured many inspiring moments. We were privileged to hear the Hill Croft School's Makaton choir perform, listen to Caleb from Caleb's Cause deliver a heartfelt, specially written poem and welcome the official ambassador for the event, the model and advocate Kate Grant, who made history as the first model with Down's Syndrome to win an international beauty title. Beyond the celebrations, the event also shone a light on the extraordinary work being done by so many organisations to support people with learning disabilities to live rich, fulfilling and independent lives. It was a pleasure to meet some of them on the day, including AEL, which provides vital training and employment opportunities, and Bears FC, whose 60 players train regularly and compete in a dedicated league, offering not only sport but friendship, confidence and community. A particular highlight of the afternoon was the surprise visit from the Red Arrows, captivating the crowds as they soared across Carrickfergus in a flawless diamond formation, trailing colourful smoke across a bright blue sky. This remarkable event has grown each year in size, ambition and impact, and I have no doubt that it will continue to go from strength to strength. The event is inclusion in action and a shining example of what our communities can achieve when we come together. I place on record my sincere thanks and congratulations to the Learning Disability Pride organisers for their dedication in bringing this uplifting celebration to Carrickfergus once again.
466 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.02 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.04 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.04 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.02 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 1.00 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:48 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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