Afterhours: Learning disability

20th November 2008, 6.00pm - 8.30pm, Museum of Garden History

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 and
• 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 should attend?

Policy makers, senior managers, HR managers and anyone with an interest in learning disability.