1. Presented by: Robert Cairns and Frances McGirr

2. Introduction Mencap What is a Learning Disability? Consultancy Service - Corporate Programme - Training Personal Experience

3. . Support Campaigns Supported living Death by Indifference Local advisors Changing Places Play advisors Don’t stick it, Stop it! MENCAP Employment Leisure Employment services Gateway clubs Consultancy service Summer schemes Transition service Self advocacy groups

4. What is a learning disability? It can be mild, moderate or severe. It affects the way someone does everyday things. This means that it is harder to learn, understand and communicate Lifelong and cannot be cured

5. Causes We don’t always know the exact cause All learning disabilities are caused by the way the brain develops: -Before birth -During birth -Soon after a baby is born

6. What is the Corporate Programme? A structured employment initiative as rolled out in other parts of the UK specifically for people with a learning disability Provides support needed to create accessible workplaces and recruitment policies Creates positive attitudes and changes in the work place culture

7. Why is it needed? People with a learning disability are one of the most excluded groups from the workforce- only 1 in 10 have a job This is compared to 1 in 3 for people with other disabilities Employment levels among other disabled people are rising while levels for people with a learning disability are unchanged Research shows that 65% of people with a learning disability want to work

8. Business Benefits To You People with a learning disability stay in a job 3 times longer than an average employee Access to untapped pool of labour To help private and public sector employers fulfil government policies on equality and inclusion. To help move people off benefits such as incapacity and employment support allowance Improved public perception- 77% people think more highly of organisations that make an extra effort to employ disabled people

9. How Does The Corporate Programme Work? Support with rollout strategy Advice on suitable roles and job carving Unpaid trial period to assess suitability Job coach support throughout trial period and beyond Progress meetings Staff training

10. Training Learning Disability Equality Training Recruiting a person with a learning disability Providing Accessible Information

11. Learning Disability Equality Training What is a learning disability? Exploring the facts and myths about learning disability. How to communicate clearly with someone who has a learning disability. Reasons to employ someone with a learning disability Training and supporting staff with a learning disability

12. Recruiting Advice and support with recruitment practices helping employers to comply with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Best practice in employing a person with a learning disability Redefining job requirements and role definitions Making recruitment practices accessible Work trial and practical assessment techniques

13. Providing Accessible Information: Understanding information and communication needs of people with a learning disability Advice on making information accessible Production of information/promotional material in an accessible manner Accessible information audits

15. My Journey To Work Paul McGowan Disability Equality Officer

16. That’s all folks Mencap Eastern Area Office 416 Ormeau Road Belfast BT7 3HY contact on  028 9049 2666 Robert.cairns@mencap.org.uk Frances.mcgirr@mencap.org.uk