Helping people with learning disabilities

Citation

(1999), "Helping people with learning disabilities", Education + Training, Vol. 41 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.1999.00441dab.007

Helping people with learning disabilities

Helping people with learning disabilities

Keywords Disabled people, Equal opportunities, Unemployment

Government figures show that 25 per cent of people with learning disabilities are unemployed, compared with 15 per cent of people with physical disabilities. But a report by Headteachers and Industry suggests that a skills-focused curriculum and integrated career support could dramatically improve the employment opportunities of people with "invisible" disabilities.

Slipping Through the Net calls for a "joined-up" approach between Government, business and education to prevent people with learning difficulties from being doubly disadvantaged.

The report recommends: greater flexibility in the curriculum to focus on employability and skills; practical work placements for headteachers, teachers and pupils to promote employability awareness; education of employers to combat prejudice and misconceptions in the workplace; the specific development of information technology to meet the requirements of people with learning disabilities; and a review of current practice in benefit payments and daytime care and a more integrated approach to promote lifelong learning and independence for people with learning disabilities.