Only one in ten people with a learning disability is in paid employment despite 65% wanting to work, according to Mencap, the leading learning disability charity.
Mencap is launching the ‘I Want To Work’ campaign as part of Learning Disability Week 2008, which runs this week and aims to highlight the fact there are not enough people with a learning disability in paid employment.
The charity is calling on lo
cal businesses to employ more people with a learning disability and to give them an equal chance in the workplace.
Mencap say employing someone with a learning disability can have a positive effect on the workplace as DIY company, B&Q has discovered.
Mencap’s Employment Service assists people with a learning disability into employment and can help businesses find the right person for the job. Mencap’s Employment Officer, Danny Doherty, recently helped Chris Gibson to find employment with B&Q in Derry and both employer and employee are finding the experience to a positive one.
“B&Q are happy to work with Mencap. We are pleased to have been able to provide Chris with his initial placement, and Chris has proved himself over a period of time to be more than worthy of his paid employment”, said store manager, Dave Gee.
“He receives excellent support from Mencap’s employment team, who communicate on a regular basis with our staff, ensuring Chris continues to develop within the store. He is a popular member of staff who has settled well into our store team at B&Q.”
Chris is progressing well in his new position and is really enjoying the opportunities presented by his job.
“I like working for B&Q as they give me a chance to show what different things I can do and achieve.”
Mencap will continue to work closely with both B&Q and Chris to ensure that both continue to benefit from the partnership and that Chris will continue his professional development.
“Chris has been a joy and inspiration to work with,” according to Mencap’s Danny Doherty.
“He is committed to being successful in this job and he has quickly demonstrated that he is hardworking, reliable and loyal. These qualities combined with his great sense of humour have undoubtedly helped Chris to quickly integrate into the workforce at B&Q.”
Mencap’s Employment Service aims to offer potential employers and employees a flexible service tailored to meet their needs. The service can benefit a business in many ways by helping to develop a diverse workforce, work towards employment and disability legislation and promote good recruitment and employment practice.
For more information on Mencap’s Employment Services please contact Mencap’s Western Area Office, on 028 71 262 227.
The full article contains 461 words and appears in Journal Friday DER Edition newspaper.
