Responding to the Learning Disability Employment Strategy

People with learning disabilities will be helped into paid jobs to close the employment gap, Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People and Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services have pledged. The goal is set out in the new cross-government Learning Disability Employment Strategy.

The strategy, which will focus on adults with moderate and severe learning disabilities, will help thousands more people get into work. It sets out a vision to increase the number of real jobs for people with learning disabilities with appropriate support being provided. Help and support to overcome their barriers to work, fulfill their potential and build a better life for themselves and their families.

Craegmoor realise at present two thirds of people with learning disabilities would like to work. Huge progress has been made in getting physically disabled people into employment but more must be done to help people with a learning disability.

Ted Smith, our Chief Executive Officer comments: "Employers and the public would be entirely wrong to think that people with learning disabilities do not want to work and earn their own living, because they really do. We have learnt this through conversation with the people we support and their families.

"We have done a great job in this country of helping physically disabled people into long-tem employment, but now we need to re-focus and help people with learning disabilities in a similar way. The cross government Learning Disability Employment Strategy is a great first step and it has already done a fantastic job of drawing national attention to the issue. What we have to see now, however, is words translating into actions.

"I want to see paid job opportunities for people with learning disabilities being advertised, new flexible positions created, job coaches and additional assistance being offered."