Afterhours: Learning disability
20th November 2008, 6.00pm - 8.30pm, London Past event
65% of people with a learning disability say they want to work, so why do they represent the largest group of unemployed disabled people in the UK?
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: this event was originally advertised as 23 October 2008 and has been rescheduled due to building works.
Each Afterhours event brings EFD members together in a relaxed and informal environment to share knowledge and experience on a focused theme. Panellists with a range of expertise and perspectives will help shape a lively and informative debate.
This EFD Afterhours event will debate why people with a learning disability are so unrepresented in employment, and what employers and wider society can do to improve their chances of getting into work.
Many people with a learning disability want to work and represent a substantial source of untapped commitment and talent. Yet they are one of the most under-represented groups in the labour market with research suggesting that only 10% of people with a learning disability are in paid employment. Where they do work, it is often for low paid, part-time work.
However, many of our members have learnt that with some simple adjustments to the workplace, people with a learning disability can prove to be talented employees that make a real contribution to their organisation.
Experience shows that employees with a learning disability are:
- dedicated, hardworking and loyal.
- improve team and organisational performance.
- help you to become an employer and service provider of choice.
This Afterhours event will examine the business case for employing people with a learning disability - and why so many people with a learning disability still find it so difficult to come off benefits and move into full time, paid employment.
Who will be speaking at this event?
- David Congdon, Head of Campaigns and Policy, Mencap.
- Huw Davies, Chair, British Association of Supported Employers.
- Naomi Eisenstadt, Director, Social Exclusion Task Force, Cabinet Office.
- Karen Flood, Director, First Step and Employers' Forum on Disability Associate.
- Kate Nash, Employers' Forum on Disability Associate and non-executive director, Remploy.
- James Partridge, Director, Changing Faces, will chair the discussion.
Who should attend?
Policy makers, senior managers, HR managers and anyone with an interest in learning disability.