Work gives us the opportunity to develop as individuals and the opportunity to work is a high priority for many people with a learning disability. With training and support people with a learning disability can learn many new skills and take on new tasks.

Benefits to employers

• There are clear benefits in having a diverse workforce. Good practice in ensuring that all applicants, regardless of disability, are considered for employment, results in the appointment of the best person for the job. However, there are particular benefits that people with a learning disability bring to a workplace:
• Good business practice - many potential and actual customers are people with a disability. A positive attitude towards employing people with a learning disability can have a beneficial effect both for your workforce and your customer base.
• Reduced staff turnover - people with a learning disability are generally reliable and likely to stay with one employer for a long time.
• Improved staff attendance - research shows that overall staff attendance rates can improve because people with a learning disability tend to take less time off work.
• A positive corporate image - Employing and involving people with a disability offers opportunities for positive publicity and an enhanced image with workforces and the general public.
• Promoting social inclusion - many people with a learning disability want to work and yet only about 10% of those with a sever learning disability actually do.
• Adherence to equal opportunities requirements - under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, it is illegal to treat a person with a disability less favourably than someone else in terms of recruitment, training, promotion or dismissal.

Benefits to the employee