Current Campaigns
Employment
Being something I've always wanted to be
Only one in ten people with learning disabilities has a job. Yet research shows that two thirds of those who are unemployed would like to work. What's stopping them?
Recently, United Response, tried to answer this question by launching a report entitled "Being Something That I’ve Always Wanted To Be." This explored the barriers people with learning disabilities face in finding employment and examined ways to support them.
The report was launched at an event attended by Phil Hope, minister for the third sector, and Susan Scott Parker, chief executive of the Employer's Forum On Disability, amongst other senior spokespeople from the public and private sector.
Findings
The report finds that the benefits for people with learning disabilities from working are considerable, including increased confidence, independence, self-esteem and well-being.
Businesses themselves often found people with learning disabilities to be excellent employees. "Employers didn't just compare workers with learning disabilities to other disabled employees," notes Sarah Wellard, author of the report and policy officer for United Response, "but with all of their employees. And in some areas they found them to actually be better at their jobs."
It also found several ways in which people with learning disabilities could be helped to find work. These include promoting their strengths as employees, increasing flexibility in the benefits system and ensuring that schools place more emphasis on preparing people with learning disabilities for the world of work.
Over the coming months, United Response will be actively campaigning to see these measures put in place. And we will be speaking on the subject at this year’s party political conferences.
The report, described by Phil Hope as both "welcome and challenging", is now available online.
Latest Press Releases
- Disabled people must not be overlooked in social care debate
- UR in the Picture exhibition
- With elections on the horizon, new website aims to make votes count for people with learning disabilities
- Budget Statement: United Response urges Chancellor to address funding shortfall for people with learning disabilities
- Every Vote Counts! - New resource helps people with learning disabilities to become politically engaged
- Queen's Speech response: Welfare reform must deliver for disabled people
- Learning Disability Coalition highlights further cost pressures on councils
- Getta Life Gotta Life – Gloucestershire summit to highlight the extraordinary achievements of people with learning disabilities
- Action needed to highlight people with learning disabilities to the NHS
- “Much has been achieved, but still a long way to go”
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