More than half of people with learning disabilities in employment say their first job helped them gain independence, according to Mencap's First Employment survey.
The survey of just over a thousand adults with learning disabilities over 16 was published as part of Mencap's Learning Disability Week, which has employment as its theme this year.
Skills
The First Employment survey also found that many people with learning disabilities said they were taught skills that continued to benefit them throughout their lives, including communication, punctuality, learning how to manage money and vocational skills including typing.
Currently, there are 800,000 people with a learning disability who are of a working age, although only one in 10 of those known to social services are currently in paid work.
Thrive
Dame Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap said: “Research shows that 65% of people with a learning disability would jump at the opportunity of paid work. They thrive in the work environment, just as everyone else does, but need employers to give them the opportunity to prove themselves.”
Learning Disability Week runs until June 21.
More information
Learning Disability Week
Mencap’s employment campaign
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