How Are We Actively Supporting Individuals With Disabilities to Gain Employment?

Last week the Department for Work and Pensions discussed critical changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). The WCA assesses people’s capability to work and the support they can receive. These changes could have a detrimental impact on people with disabilities, affecting mental health and standard of living. 

Employment for People with Disabilities 

Statistics show that only 23% of working age adults (aged 18 to 64) with a learning disability have a paid job (Mencap). Which, understandably, is causing MPs to evaluate the ‘Fitness for Work’ assessment. However, we want to question- what is being done to support people with disabilities to seek and sustain employment?

Ealing Mencap Employment and Training

Getting a job involves a multitude of stages and for some people with a learning disability that can be an overwhelming and, in extreme cases, impossible experience. It is not a rare occasion that people with disabilities are hugely affected by an employment process that does not support all members of society.

A recent example is Chris Tyerman, who applied, in August 2021, for a position within NHS Digital, but after being shortlisted for the job was told that some of the adjustments he needed ahead of the interview were not possible. Despite NHS Digital being a Disability Confident employer, they rejected Tyerman’s adjustment requests, arguing that all applicants had to be treated the same. The clear breach of the Equality Act from NHS Digital resulted in Tyerman receiving £20,000 compensation, showing that businesses should and are being held accountable for employment inequalities. Tyerman’s experience shows the devastating impact of people with disabilities not being supported to seek employment.

A Call For Change 

At Ealing Mencap we know that most people with a learning disability can and want to work, as long as they are given the right support. Therefore, we support the Government’s aim to halve the disability employment gap but urgently advise them to put together a plan to remove the barriers facing people with disabilities getting employment. 

For this plan to work, it must: 

1. improve the employment support for people with a learning disability, no matter where they live, and ensure that the support is tailored to the person’s needs
2. provide support to employers to take on more people with a learning disability
3. promote positive employer attitudes towards people with a learning disability in employment, making sure they value their work
4. make the health and wellbeing of disabled people central to the plan
5. make sure that the education system equips pupils with SEN with the skills to gain employment
6. create more jobs and training opportunities for people with a learning disability, including more work experience openings and apprenticeships with availability of on-the-job support

(Mencap, 2023) 

Services Ealing Mencap Provide

Ealing Mencap Employment and Training

At Ealing Mencap we aim to provide as many opportunities to people with disabilities as possible. Here is a list of services we
offer to support people with disabilities to find employment. 

• Job Start – If you are a young person aged 19-24 with a learning or other disability and have recently lost your job we can help you to find work. 
• Project Search – Join a supported internship programme that’s designed to develop your workplace skills in the hotel industry to help you find a paid job.
• Dare to Dream – Become more independent and gain the skills and confidence you’ll need in order to progress into paid work.