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LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK
The commitment of individuals

made Learning Disability Week

a success

Rosemary Trustam rounds up the reports from around
the country on Learning Disability Week (19-25 June)
which had employment as its main theme.

Jack, employed by Preston City Council,
Preston’s Learning Disability Forum, led by people with learning disabilities, benefitted from an internship with
was undaunted by a lack of resources, planning a full week of events. the Council.

ith only 6% of people with individuals’ commitment than any Members continued their annual
Wlearning disabilities in government strategy. commitment to a full LD week
employment, Mencap’s Learning programme of events, supported by
Disability Week work theme seemed a UNDAUNTED IN PRESTON Integrate’s Pat Afflick and REACT’s
priority area. Preston’s Learning Disability Forum (PLDF) James Hughes. Their flag market launch
led by people with learning disabilities was opened by Preston’s mayor,
But the charity’s activity showed no was undaunted by a lack of resources, Councillor Brian Rollo, where stalls
evidence of involving Job Centres. being full of enthusiasm and volunteering. showed the work and support of some
Whilst there are useful resources and local learning disability charities
some individual stories on their website representing people and carers and
they no longer give direct support Across the UK, passers-by were encouraged to join
to localities. employment activity in with DanceSyndrome’s flag
“ seems to owe more to market workshops.
The government green paper (1) , some individuals’
whilst offering some potential for young commitment than any The highlight was Preston City Council’s
people leaving schools, offers few employee ‘Jack’ who spoke about his
prospects for people with learning government strategy. pathway to employment, initially through
disabilities unless the promised SE pilot ” college, but then an internship with the
with the British Association of Supported
Employment (BASE) opens any doors (2).

The Government’s welfare benefits’
changes seem designed to encourage
those needing more support and work
preparation into the Employment Support
Allowance (ESA) support group, as people
joining the work activity group (WRAG)
since April 2017 have been £30 per
week worse off. Will people with
learning disabilities in the WRAG benefit
from their new job coach role? It feels
doubtful when targets push advisers
towards people more likely to get into
work quickly.
Supported Employment (SE) is not a
statutory service so many cash-strapped
local authorities no longer fund it. Preston’s Learning Disability Forum’s flag market launch was opened by Preston’s mayor
Across the UK, employment activity Councillor Brian Rollo (centre)
seems to owe more to some

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