UK – Almost a quarter of employers feel that colleagues would not be happy working with someone with a learning disability survey finds

A new survey by the charity Mencap reveals that many employers remain uneasy about the role they are expected to play in closing the gap. Only 16% of UK employers felt confident that the disability employment gap would be halved. 

The survey also reveals nervousness about how customers and staff might interact with people with learning disabilities, a group still facing considerable exclusion.

Almost a quarter (23%) of employers feel their colleagues would not be happy working with someone with a learning disability. And 45% fear it might be difficult for the public to deal with someone with a learning disability (the figure drops to 30% for employers who have experience hiring people with learning disabilities). A hard day’s night: the hidden health risks of working the night shift Read more

“It’s a lack of knowledge and awareness,” says Mark Capper, head of employment at Mencap. “People are often scared of the unknown. But once we actually support people with learning disabilities into work we find employers have a positive reaction and tell us about positive impacts.”

There are 1.4 million people in the UK with a learning disability, defined as a reduced intellectual ability. Although 65% of adults with learning disabilities want to work, just 7% have been able to find paid employment.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Companies fear employing people with learning disabilities, survey reveals | Guardian Sustainable Business | The Guardian