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VIEWPOINT

national expansion. BASE anticipates this
will increase the evidence base for SE and Is work all it’s
potentially improve the poor employment
rates for people with learning disabilities cracked up to be?
thus far. Coupled with the conclusion that
disabled people, governments and As the campaign to ensure people with
taxpayers are likely to benefit financially
in the long term from more inclusive learning disabilities gain fair access to the
employment (Beyer and Beyer, 2016), workplace steps up, Simon Duffy
such investment through proof of sounds a note of caution.
concept trials should be a good thing.
However, the extent to which this r Shigeaki Hinohara, who lived to l Monday (lundi) is the day of the moon,
translates into the radical transformation D be 105, said, “Don’t retire, and if for dreaming, thinking or talking.
by 2025 envisaged in Valuing Employment you must, retire much later than age l Tuesday (mardi) is the day of Tyr or
Now remains to be seen. 65.” He believed human life is all Mars, a day of service and citizenship.
about contribution and that we need l Wednesday (mercredi) is the day of
REFERENCES to be doing things, for other people, Woden or Mercury, a day of exchange
Beyer, S., Goodere, L. and Kilsby, M. (1996) if we want to thrive. or business.
The Costs and Benefits of Supported l Thursday (jeudi) is the day of Thor or
Employment Agencies, London: For people with learning disabilities, Jove, for making, growing and building.
The Stationery Office. opportunities for such contribution
Beyer, S. and Robinson C. (2009) A Review of l Friday (vendredi) is the day of Freya or
the Research Literature on Supported are reduced by a combination of low Venus, a day for loving and caring.
Employment: A Report for the cross- expectations, a crazy benefit system l Saturday (samedi) is the day of Saturn,
government learning disability employment and the attitude of employers. a day for relaxing.
strategy team. DH London. The employment rate for people with l Sunday (dimanche) is the day of the
Beyer, S, and Beyer, A. (2016) Economic a learning disability is 6% but when sun or the day of the Lord a day for
impact of the inclusion of disabled persons in Learning Disability Alliance asked rest and thankfulness.
the labour market. EASPD. people what was most important to
Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), them work was very high on the list. How do we get a life in which our
Healthcare Commission, Mental Health Act contributions are balanced and include
Commission, (2009), In the days when normalisation was a all the different aspects of a good,
Commissioning Services and Support for powerful movement for change then human life?
People with Learning Disabilities and
Complex Needs, National Report of a helping people to get and keep work
Joint Review, CSCI/Healthcare Commission/ was one of the most straightforward NARROW AND SHALLOW
Mental Health Act Commission. routes to helping people develop a The kind of society where doing what
Davies, H., Melling, K., & Wilson, P. (2012) ‘socially valued role.’ What is more, other people want – which is what
Personalisation and Supported Employment. supported employment, employment means – is not the kind of
BILD. Department of Health, (2009) social enterprise, self-employment society in which any of us, but particularly
Valuing Employment Now. DH London. and apprenticeship schemes like people with learning disabilities, will thrive.
Department of Health (2010) A Vision for Project Reach, all have great track It is a narrow and shallow vision of the
Adult Social Care: Capable Communities and records for supporting people, good life. We need to think differently
Active Citizens. DH London. sometimes people with the most and start to plan and organise differently.
Hunter, S., and Ridley, J (2007) Supported severe impairments, into work.
Employment in Scotland: some issues from
research and implications for development. The case for basic income (a secure and
Tizard Learning Disability Review, A BALANCED LIFE regular income for everyone) will
12, 2, pp3-13. If someone wants a job they should continue to get stronger. More people will
McTier, A, Macdougall, L, McGregor, A, Hirst, be able to get one. However, as a realise that they can contribute locally
A, & Rinne, S (2016) Mapping the philosopher, I am struck by some of and bring about wider social change as
employability landscape for people with the questions we don’t ask about work. active citizens. Support organisations will
learning disabilities. Glasgow: SCLD. For instance, Aristotle would have start to realise that they should be engines
O’Bryan, A., Simons, K., Beyer, S., and Grove, wondered why we did not value our for building community – in all its richness
B (2000) The Policy Consortium for free time more to contribute as – not containing people in social isolation.
Supported Employment: A Framework for citizens: help others, teach and get
Supported Employment. York: involved in the politics (literally, We need to be more confident in
Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Ridley, J., Hunter, S., and Infusion community life). Christian theologians redefining the meaning of work and
Co-operative. 2005. “Go for it!” would wonder why we think work for ensure every one gets the chance to
Supporting People with Learning an employer is proper work, but the contribute in the way that makes most
Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum work of love – taking care of each other sense of our gifts.
Disorder in Employment. Edinburgh: – seems less important. This doesn’t
Scottish Executive. seem right or logical. It struck me Dr Simon Duffy is Director of the
recently that every week we live Centre for Welfare Reform and
Julie Ridley is Reader in Social Policy through an ancient pattern which Secretary for Citizen Network
& Practice at UCLan and a member of tells us what a balanced life includes. http://www.centreforwelfarereform.org/
Community Living’s editorial board.

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 1 | Autumn 2017 21