Mencap pay tributes to treasured President, Lord Brian Rix

Sadly the president of Mencap, Lord Brian Rix has died at the age of 92. He had a very full and valuable life, he did a lot of great work for people with intellectual disabilities in the UK. He was a famous comic actor and had a daughter with Down Syndrome. He used his fame to get people to listen to him so he could defend the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities to make sure they have a better quality of life. We will miss him but will always remember everything he did for us. You can read more about his life here or share your thoughts and memories using the hashtag #LordRixMemories

President of Mencap Lord Brian Rix, the best known campaigner in the UK for the rights of people with intellectual disability, died on Saturday 20th August 2016 at the age of 92.

His determination to change how the world views and supports people with intellectual disabilities began after his eldest child, Shelley, was born with Down’s Syndrome in December 1951. The callous advice he and his wife were given and the dismissiveness of the care system shocked and angered him, fuelling his campaigning activity for over 60 years.

Lord Rix, who was well known to the British public as a comic actor, used his fame and talents to get access to high places and raise awareness of the issues that make significant changes in the quality of life of people with intellectual disability and their families.

In 1992, in recognition of his highly successful campaigning work, he was appointed to the House of Lords, the upper chamber on the UK parliament. In that position he promoted and shaped legislation, playing a large role in passing an important law on short breaks for carers amongst contributing to many other important bills. People with intellectual disability celebrated his work on the 2006 Electoral Administration Bill, which strengthened their right to vote and removed the offensive language that had been retained from previous centuries.

Lord Rix was also forward-looking and gave his name to the Rix Centre at the University of East London, a research and development centre that shows how new media technology can provide unexpected ways to give people a voice.

Lord Rix will be remembered with lasting respect and affection by families and people with an intellectual disability throughout the UK.

You can read more about his lifetime achievements here and share your memories and tributes with Mencap using the hashtag #LordRixMemories.