Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive at learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. charity Mencap, said:
“These new statistics are an important reminder that there is still much work to be done to address the disability
employment
Employment means having a job.
gap.
“At Mencap we know that only 5% of people with a learning disability are employed, despite 86% wanting a paid job. Barriers such as inaccessible application forms and recruitment processes, or simply an inflexibility around providing support can quash ambitions and prevent capable people from participating in the workforce.
“Many people with a learning disability tell us they want to work, and with the right support from the Government The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work. and employers, we can make that happen. Through our Supported Internship Programme, we work with employers across many sectors who support people with a learning disability into the workplace, and whose teams benefit greatly from that.
“We welcome the Government’s continued investment in supported internships A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach. , and the new Connect to Work programme and hope this enables many more people with a learning disability to enjoy the financial Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it , social and emotional benefits of work.”
References:
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
Note to editors
About Mencap
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect. With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
