EFD today applauds the governmentís approach to raising the employment rate of people with a learning disability, following the publication of ëValuing People Nowí, its new strategy for learning disability.
ëValuing People Now - A Three Year Strategy for People with Learning Disabilitiesí, aims to improve services for people with learning disabilities across health, housing, employment and community care services. The strategy follows a comprehensive consultation involving more than 10,000 people.
EFDís Chief Executive Susan Scott-Parker said: ìMany people with a learning disability of working age want to work, yet only 17% do. We welcome the governmentís decision not to consider employment in isolation, but to look at factors like the delivery of social care, available support and benefits.
This is more likely to deliver change, as many of the barriers to employment individuals and employers face are things like the delivery of social care and benefits rules. Training is also crucial so that staff are confident in working with colleagues, customers and patients with learning disabilities.
Any work needs to be credible in the eyes of employers as well as disabled people. We are encouraged by the willingness shown by government departments to talk to employers and get a sense of the barriers they face in employing people with a learning disability.
The government, employers and disability groups need to work together to ensure this strategy helps employers realise the potential of people with learning disabilities.
EFD welcomes inclusive approach of new government strategy on learning disability
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