Employment

Being something I've always wanted to be

Only one in ten people with learning disabilities has a job.

But research says that most of the people who do not have a job would like one.

United Response wrote a report called "Being Something That I’ve Always Wanted To Be."

The report talks about the problems people with learning disabilities have finding work.

It also talks about what support people need to find work.

We talked about the report at an event.

The event had lots of people there including Phil Hope, who is the minister for the third sector, and Susan Scott Parker, chief executive of the Employer's Forum On Disability.

What the report says

The report says that many people with learning disabilities become more confident and independent when they are working.

It also says that many people feel better about themselves.

Businesses said that they often find people with learning disabilities are really good at their jobs.

Sarah Wellard, who wrote the report says:

"Employers compared workers with learning disabilities to other disabled employees, but with all of their employees. And in some places they found them to actually be better at their jobs."

The report found ways other people could help people with learning disabilities find jobs.

Some of these things are around the benefits system.

Or around making sure schools help to prepare people for work.

Soon, United Response will be campaigning to get these things to happen.

And we will be speaking at the party political conferences about it.

Get the report

You can read the report as a PDF or as a Word document

Go to the report as a PDF document

Go to the report as a Word document

If you need this report in another format, please email webmaster@unitedresponse.org.uk