Learning Disability Today
Supporting professionals working in learning disability and autism services

Easy read guides to show work paths

‘Choosing my first job’ is one of four new easy read guides launched today to support conversations with people with learning disabilities around exploring job and careers paths.

Adults with learning disabilities have the lowest rate of employment of any group, with just six percent in paid work.

People with learning disabilities are often underestimated by employers or reasonable adjustments fail to be made.

Highlighting different vocations, routes and opportunities in digestible formats might prove helpful for some.

A team of artists and expert advisers in the field of supported employment and transition, including experts by experience were commissioned to address this challenge twelve months ago.

Research and planning was led by Beyond Words author Baroness Sheila Hollins and psychiatrist Dr Roger Banks.

Related Posts
1 of 847

The stories include finding the right job later in life as well as at transition from education, the benefits and responsibilities of a good job, solving problems and getting the right support to stay in work, as well as self-employment and social action. 

Each story is designed specifically for people who find pictures easier to understand than words, with additional guidance provided at the back of the books for employers, schools and colleges, families and supporters.

 

Over 200 people with learning disabilities have been directly involved in the book development process and associated pilot project, both of which have been funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Baroness Hollins says the guides “show that work is for everyone” and will inspire people to think about what “their own unique strengths and interests could enable them to achieve.

Fellow author – and expert by experience – Wayne McGregor says his book, ‘A Good Day’s Work’, will instill a belief to say, “I want to be like that guy!”

author avatar
LDT Editor

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More