Mainstream employment for Mainstream employment for people with the label of ‘Learning people with the label of ‘Learning Difficulties’: the experiences and Difficulties’: the experiences and

perspectives of employersperspectives of employers Disability Studies Conference: Research & Learning Disability Studies Conference: Research & Learning

18-20 September 200618-20 September 2006Lancaster University, UKLancaster University, UK

Dr GHASEM NOROUZIDr GHASEM NOROUZI

Lecturer at the School of Education & Psychology of Isfahan University, Iran and Lecturer at the School of Education & Psychology of Isfahan University, Iran and A member of the Centre Of Applied Disability Studies (COADS), University of Sheffield, 388 Glossop Road, A member of the Centre Of Applied Disability Studies (COADS), University of Sheffield, 388 Glossop Road,

Sheffield, S10 2JA, UK. Sheffield, S10 2JA, UK. Email: edp00gn@sheffield.ac.uk or Email: edp00gn@sheffield.ac.uk or g_norouzi@yahoo.co.ukg_norouzi@yahoo.co.uk

How are people with learning difficulties How are people with learning difficulties experienced and perceived by their experienced and perceived by their

employers in mainstream workplaces?employers in mainstream workplaces? InformantsInformants

Employers who were proactively working with employees with Employers who were proactively working with employees with learning difficulties in mainstream workplaces learning difficulties in mainstream workplaces

These employers were among those who cooperated with the These employers were among those who cooperated with the supported employment agencies and Disability Employment supported employment agencies and Disability Employment Team Services in employing people with learning difficulties.Team Services in employing people with learning difficulties.

MethodsMethods

A Survey questionnaire A Survey questionnaire Semi-structured interviews with employersSemi-structured interviews with employers Observation Observation

Analysis of Data: Thematic analysisAnalysis of Data: Thematic analysis

I have analysed my data in terms of the I have analysed my data in terms of the following themes:following themes:

What is meant by the term ‘mainstream employment or What is meant by the term ‘mainstream employment or workplaces’ for people with learning difficulties? workplaces’ for people with learning difficulties?

Employers’ perceptions of employees with learning Employers’ perceptions of employees with learning difficulties in mainstream workplaces difficulties in mainstream workplaces

Competency of employees with learning difficulties Competency of employees with learning difficulties

Employment barriers: structural or individual? The view of Employment barriers: structural or individual? The view of employers employers

Problems at work Problems at work Overcoming the barriers Overcoming the barriers

What is meant by the term ‘mainstream What is meant by the term ‘mainstream employment/workplaces’ employment/workplaces’

for people with learning difficulties?for people with learning difficulties?

The existing literatureThe existing literature

Sheltered employment and work in segregatedSheltered employment and work in segregated settings settings (Beyer et al, 2003; Simons & Watson, 1998))(Beyer et al, 2003; Simons & Watson, 1998))

Supported employmentSupported employment (Beyer et al, 2004), and (Beyer et al, 2004), and

Open, integrated and mainstream employmentOpen, integrated and mainstream employment (Wilson, (Wilson, 2003; Beyer et al, 2004;Pannell & Simons, 2000; DoH, 2003; Beyer et al, 2004;Pannell & Simons, 2000; DoH, 2001).2001).

Sheltered employmentSheltered employment is a kind of work in segregated or is a kind of work in segregated or sheltered workshops. These workshops were often set up by local sheltered workshops. These workshops were often set up by local authorities and organisations such as Remploy in the immediate authorities and organisations such as Remploy in the immediate post-war years to employ war disabled people who had difficulty post-war years to employ war disabled people who had difficulty working in integrated settings after they became disabled (Beyer working in integrated settings after they became disabled (Beyer et al, 2003; Simons & Watson, 1998). The sheltered employment et al, 2003; Simons & Watson, 1998). The sheltered employment was completely segregated and its payment was also very low was completely segregated and its payment was also very low (Simons & Watson, 1998: 16). (Simons & Watson, 1998: 16).

The supported employmentThe supported employment:: Since 1985,Since 1985, the the government has provided a subsidy for employers taking on government has provided a subsidy for employers taking on disabled workers through the disabled workers through the Supported Placement Scheme Supported Placement Scheme (SPS)(SPS) to support disabled people in finding jobs in ordinary to support disabled people in finding jobs in ordinary companies or integrated placements (where non-disabled people companies or integrated placements (where non-disabled people work) (Beyer et al, 2003: 2). work) (Beyer et al, 2003: 2).

Open employmentOpen employment defined by Wilson (2003) as a job with the defined by Wilson (2003) as a job with the principle of a ‘real’ or ‘normal’ job for people with learning principle of a ‘real’ or ‘normal’ job for people with learning difficulties leading to an expectation that they will successfully difficulties leading to an expectation that they will successfully negotiate all the tasks expected of non-disabled workers (p. 114). negotiate all the tasks expected of non-disabled workers (p. 114). A ‘real job’ would pay ‘real’ (ie market rate) wages and would be A ‘real job’ would pay ‘real’ (ie market rate) wages and would be with a mainstream employer (Wilson, 2003; Beyer et al, 2003; with a mainstream employer (Wilson, 2003; Beyer et al, 2003; Pannell & Simons, 2000). Similarly, the literature in the USA Pannell & Simons, 2000). Similarly, the literature in the USA (Kraemer & Blacher, 2001; Wehman, 1996b,(Kraemer & Blacher, 2001; Wehman, 1996b,

Employers’ perceptions of employees with learning Employers’ perceptions of employees with learning difficulties in mainstream workplaces difficulties in mainstream workplaces

How employers perceive people with learning difficulties How employers perceive people with learning difficulties will be a major factor influencing their willingness (or will be a major factor influencing their willingness (or

reluctance) to employ them in their workplace.reluctance) to employ them in their workplace.

The existing literatureThe existing literature In the UK, people with learning difficulties are frequently seen as In the UK, people with learning difficulties are frequently seen as

‘sick, eternal children, menaces, or objects of ridicule’ (Finlay and ‘sick, eternal children, menaces, or objects of ridicule’ (Finlay and Lyons, 1998, p. 38). Lyons, 1998, p. 38).

The attitudes of many employers towards people with learning The attitudes of many employers towards people with learning difficulties were negative. Employers often perceived disabled difficulties were negative. Employers often perceived disabled people as: people as:

1) Unable to work (Walmsley, 1992: 222), 1) Unable to work (Walmsley, 1992: 222), 2) ‘Not productive workers’ or as employees with lower rates of 2) ‘Not productive workers’ or as employees with lower rates of productivity than non-disabled employees (Johnson et al, 1988;productivity than non-disabled employees (Johnson et al, 1988; Blanck, 1991), Blanck, 1991), As a result of that, employers have concerns about increased costs of As a result of that, employers have concerns about increased costs of

employing disabled workers in their workplace (Kitchin et al, 1998). employing disabled workers in their workplace (Kitchin et al, 1998).

Findings Findings

All employers, whether respondents to survey All employers, whether respondents to survey questionnaires or interviewees, expressed questionnaires or interviewees, expressed themselves themselves to be sympathetic to the idea of to be sympathetic to the idea of employing people with learning difficulties in their employing people with learning difficulties in their workplaces workplaces

However,However, when I asked the views of employers when I asked the views of employers about about the assumption that ‘adults with the assumption that ‘adults with learning difficulties are unable to work’,learning difficulties are unable to work’, I I found some differences between responses to found some differences between responses to interviews and to the survey questionnaire. interviews and to the survey questionnaire.

DifferencesDifferences Out of 21 respondents to the survey questionnaire,Out of 21 respondents to the survey questionnaire, 11 11

people agreed that people with learning difficulties were unable to people agreed that people with learning difficulties were unable to work , thus supporting the findings of other research. This was, work , thus supporting the findings of other research. This was, perhaps, because, employers did not recognise the abilities of perhaps, because, employers did not recognise the abilities of people with learning difficulties and were concerned about their people with learning difficulties and were concerned about their ‘competency and dependability’ as Craig and Body (1990: 41) ‘competency and dependability’ as Craig and Body (1990: 41) argued. argued.

However, However, all employers who were interviewedall employers who were interviewed stated that stated that employees with learning difficulties were able to workemployees with learning difficulties were able to work as well as as well as their non-disabled colleagues. For example, Maria, the manager of their non-disabled colleagues. For example, Maria, the manager of a supermarket stated: a supermarket stated:

People with learning disabilities are able to work the same as the People with learning disabilities are able to work the same as the non-disabled colleagues. They are able to do the job as well as non-disabled colleagues. They are able to do the job as well as somebody else can do it so there is no problem.somebody else can do it so there is no problem.

Due to the positive perceptions of Maria, she employed a few Due to the positive perceptions of Maria, she employed a few people with learning difficulties. Therefore, the interviews did not people with learning difficulties. Therefore, the interviews did not support the findings of Craig and Body (1990) and Kitchen et al support the findings of Craig and Body (1990) and Kitchen et al (1998) studies which argued that people with learning difficulties (1998) studies which argued that people with learning difficulties were unable to work. were unable to work.

Competency of employees with learning difficultiesCompetency of employees with learning difficulties

What encouraged you to employ people with What encouraged you to employ people with learning difficulties?learning difficulties?

Findings:Findings: The 21 employersThe 21 employers who responded to the survey who responded to the survey

questionnaire noted seven reasons: questionnaire noted seven reasons:

1.1. The ability of people to workThe ability of people to work was mentioned by six was mentioned by six informants; informants;

2.2. A moral responsibility to employA moral responsibility to employ people by five people by five informants; informants;

3.3. Equal opportunityEqual opportunity by five informants; by five informants; 4.4. Adequate support from SEAAdequate support from SEA by three informants; by three informants; 5.5. Being loyal and working hardBeing loyal and working hard by three informants; by three informants; 6.6. Qualifications of peopleQualifications of people by two informants; and by two informants; and 7.7. Previous experiencePrevious experience of employers working with of employers working with

people with learning difficulties by two informants people with learning difficulties by two informants

The employers who were interviewed gave three factors:The employers who were interviewed gave three factors:

1.1. The ability of people with learning difficulties to work, The ability of people with learning difficulties to work, 2.2. Equal opportunity, Equal opportunity, 3.3. Being a good and reliable workerBeing a good and reliable worker

Advantages of employees with Learning Advantages of employees with Learning difficultiesdifficulties

1.1. The ability of people with learning The ability of people with learning difficulties to workdifficulties to work

2.2. Loyalty,Loyalty, 3.3. punctuality, punctuality, 4.4. reliability,reliability, 5.5. industry, industry, 6.6. helping workmateshelping workmates, , 7.7. being polite,being polite, and and 8.8. friendlinessfriendliness

Equality of opportunityEquality of opportunity Andy, the manager of a greengrocery shop, said:Andy, the manager of a greengrocery shop, said: These people are still part of day to day society and they’ve got to These people are still part of day to day society and they’ve got to

be given the same opportunities as everyone else. They’ve got to be given the same opportunities as everyone else. They’ve got to be given the chance to prove themselves, to gain employment, to be given the chance to prove themselves, to gain employment, to stand on their own two feet, to work, to earn their own money, it stand on their own two feet, to work, to earn their own money, it gives them self respect and a bit of confidence.gives them self respect and a bit of confidence.

Most employers stated that people with learning difficulties were Most employers stated that people with learning difficulties were able to do jobs as well as their non-disabled colleagues. However, able to do jobs as well as their non-disabled colleagues. However, this study showed that most of them were unpaid. For example, this study showed that most of them were unpaid. For example, Sheila DaviesSheila Davies was one of the employees who had worked in a was one of the employees who had worked in a variety of different placements for 22 years. Her employers stated variety of different placements for 22 years. Her employers stated that Sheila worked just as well as her non-disabled colleagues. that Sheila worked just as well as her non-disabled colleagues. Nevertheless, she still was unpaid. When I asked her employers Nevertheless, she still was unpaid. When I asked her employers why this was, he blamed the benefit system. He stated: why this was, he blamed the benefit system. He stated:

I think the issue in getting paid employment for Sheila is the I think the issue in getting paid employment for Sheila is the benefits. So she is earning to disregards at the moment and she benefits. So she is earning to disregards at the moment and she gets £12 a week for her job. If she wants to get paid employment gets £12 a week for her job. If she wants to get paid employment job, she would lose her benefits. job, she would lose her benefits.

What is the meaning of ‘equality of opportunity’ What is the meaning of ‘equality of opportunity’ Roemer (2002) defines equality of opportunity in social choice theory Roemer (2002) defines equality of opportunity in social choice theory

as ‘rendering the sets of choices available to different individuals the as ‘rendering the sets of choices available to different individuals the same’same’ (p. 455). (p. 455).

Based on that definition of the equality of opportunity, Based on that definition of the equality of opportunity, employees with employees with learning difficulties should have real jobs with real wages like their non-learning difficulties should have real jobs with real wages like their non-disabled colleagues.disabled colleagues.

Why were most people with learning difficulties not equally treated?Why were most people with learning difficulties not equally treated? Lisa Watkins worked as a full-time kitchen assistant for four years in a Lisa Watkins worked as a full-time kitchen assistant for four years in a restaurant, but only received 70p per day. Is this equal opportunity? If restaurant, but only received 70p per day. Is this equal opportunity? If there was equality of opportunity, why would most people with learning there was equality of opportunity, why would most people with learning difficulties be unpaid? This is, perhaps, because, difficulties be unpaid? This is, perhaps, because,

1.1. The employers do not believe in equal opportunities and the ability of The employers do not believe in equal opportunities and the ability of people with learning difficulties to work like their non-disabled people with learning difficulties to work like their non-disabled colleagues. colleagues.

2.2. There is also the possibility of exploitation. Most employers pay their There is also the possibility of exploitation. Most employers pay their employees with learning difficulties less than their employees with no employees with learning difficulties less than their employees with no learning difficulties and then claim that it is to protect employees with learning difficulties and then claim that it is to protect employees with learning difficulties from losing benefit. learning difficulties from losing benefit.

Employment barriers: structural or individual?Employment barriers: structural or individual?

What do you think the vocational barriers for adults What do you think the vocational barriers for adults

with learning difficulties are?’with learning difficulties are?’ Findings:Findings: The 21 employers who responded to the survey questionnaire The 21 employers who responded to the survey questionnaire

mentioned eleven reasons: mentioned eleven reasons: A lack of qualificationsA lack of qualifications was reported by seven people; was reported by seven people; A lack of employer’s awarenessA lack of employer’s awareness about the ability of people with about the ability of people with

learning difficulties was mentioned by five people; learning difficulties was mentioned by five people; Having difficulties in communicationHaving difficulties in communication with others at work, with others at work, a lack a lack

of confidence of people with learning difficultiesof confidence of people with learning difficulties, , a lack of a lack of supervision at work,supervision at work, and and a lack of time and employers’ concern a lack of time and employers’ concern about extra supervisionabout extra supervision for people with learning difficulties for people with learning difficulties were reported by 12 people (3 people each reason); were reported by 12 people (3 people each reason);

Level of disabilityLevel of disability and and ignoranceignorance were noted by four informants were noted by four informants (two people each factor) and; (two people each factor) and;

Having protective parents and carersHaving protective parents and carers, , the benefit trapthe benefit trap, and , and a a lack of options and jobslack of options and jobs for people with learning difficulties for people with learning difficulties were reported by three informants (one person each factor). were reported by three informants (one person each factor).

Findings: Employment barriers Findings: Employment barriers

The employers who were interviewedThe employers who were interviewed

1.1. Lack of employers’ awareness about the ability Lack of employers’ awareness about the ability of people to workof people to work

2.2. Limited ability of people to work, Limited ability of people to work,

3.3. The benefit system, The benefit system,

4.4. Shortage of job opportunities and Shortage of job opportunities and

5.5. Transport problems. Transport problems.

These barriers were classified into two main These barriers were classified into two main groups:groups: structuralstructural and and individual individual barriers.barriers.

Structural barriersStructural barriers

A lack of employers’ awareness, A lack of employers’ awareness, Inflexibility of the benefit system, Inflexibility of the benefit system, A lack of suitable job opportunities, A lack of suitable job opportunities, A lack of supervision, A lack of supervision, Having protective parents and carers Having protective parents and carers

and and Transport problemsTransport problems

A Lack of employers’ awarenessA Lack of employers’ awareness

Most employers whether interviewees or Most employers whether interviewees or respondents to survey questionnaires, stated that a respondents to survey questionnaires, stated that a lack of employers’ awareness about the ability of lack of employers’ awareness about the ability of people with learning difficulties was an important people with learning difficulties was an important barrier to their employment.barrier to their employment. For example, Maria, the For example, Maria, the manager of a supermarket commented: manager of a supermarket commented:

I think sometimes people assume that if people have I think sometimes people assume that if people have

learning disabilities that they are stupid and they are learning disabilities that they are stupid and they are unable to do any job…where if you have somebody unable to do any job…where if you have somebody who has never come across somebody with learning who has never come across somebody with learning difficulties or if you get somebody who’s not used to difficulties or if you get somebody who’s not used to dealing with any sort of person at all in a disabled dealing with any sort of person at all in a disabled function, they just really find it hard. They don’t function, they just really find it hard. They don’t speak to them normally, they speak to them loud, speak to them normally, they speak to them loud, and they shout. and they shout.

Little or no experienceLittle or no experience Beyer et al (2004), Gosling and Cotterill (2000) Beyer et al (2004), Gosling and Cotterill (2000)

argued that argued that tthe negative attitude of he negative attitude of employers is because many of them have employers is because many of them have little or no experience of working with little or no experience of working with people with learning difficulties. people with learning difficulties.

My studyMy study also found this to be the case. For also found this to be the case. For example, example, Paul,Paul, who had been the manager of who had been the manager of several workplaces for nearly forty years, several workplaces for nearly forty years, noted that for the first 20 years of his noted that for the first 20 years of his management he did not employ any person management he did not employ any person with learning difficulties because he was with learning difficulties because he was frightened of working with them.frightened of working with them. However, However, after starting work with people with learning after starting work with people with learning difficulties, his attitude became positive, and his difficulties, his attitude became positive, and his perception toward them changed. perception toward them changed.

Individual barriers Individual barriers

A lack of qualifications, A lack of qualifications,

Difficulties in communication and Difficulties in communication and

A lack of confidence A lack of confidence

Problems at workProblems at work Have you had employee with learning Have you had employee with learning difficulties who had left the job and if difficulties who had left the job and if

they had why they left? they had why they left?

The employers who were interviewedThe employers who were interviewed stated that they stated that they had no experiences of working with employees with learning had no experiences of working with employees with learning difficulties who had left the workplace. difficulties who had left the workplace.

However, However, some employers who responded to the surveysome employers who responded to the survey questionnaires had worked with employees who had left their questionnaires had worked with employees who had left their work for different reasons. The respondents noted eight work for different reasons. The respondents noted eight reasons: reasons:

Getting a job elsewhere Getting a job elsewhere (most (most employees)employees),, sickness,sickness, not interested in not interested in workwork, , lack of concentration on work,lack of concentration on work, transport access difficultiestransport access difficulties, nerves at , nerves at work, and work, and being dismissedbeing dismissed..

Misunderstandings, loss of temper, and poor numeracy skills Misunderstandings, loss of temper, and poor numeracy skills had been experienced by some employers at work. had been experienced by some employers at work.

How employers would attempt to How employers would attempt to solve problemssolve problems

Most employersMost employers stated that they would try to solve the stated that they would try to solve the problem by problem by getting help from the SEPsgetting help from the SEPs

Andy stated: “Andy stated: “If we did have problems with Roy we would If we did have problems with Roy we would contact Peter [the manager of the MAP], explain what had contact Peter [the manager of the MAP], explain what had actually gone wrong and ask him to actually come and visit actually gone wrong and ask him to actually come and visit and see if there was anything he could do to speak to Roy…and see if there was anything he could do to speak to Roy…we would sit and have a talk, he’d talk to Roy ask him how we would sit and have a talk, he’d talk to Roy ask him how he was doing, whether he was enjoying himself. If he’d got he was doing, whether he was enjoying himself. If he’d got any problems and Roy generally used to sit there and just any problems and Roy generally used to sit there and just grin at him and say everything was alright, he would grin at him and say everything was alright, he would usually agree with everything what was said to him”usually agree with everything what was said to him”

Two employersTwo employers argued that if they had a problem with argued that if they had a problem with their employees, they would solve the problem by their employees, they would solve the problem by contacting and getting help from contacting and getting help from the employees’ parents the employees’ parents or carers.or carers.

Supported employment agencies provide Supported employment agencies provide

adequate support for employersadequate support for employers For example, Andy, the manager of greengrocery shop stated: For example, Andy, the manager of greengrocery shop stated:

““Sometimes he [Roy] had some misunderstandings catching Sometimes he [Roy] had some misunderstandings catching a bus (laugh). On one occasion about 6 year or 7 years a bus (laugh). On one occasion about 6 year or 7 years ago, it could be longer, it might be 9 years when I first ago, it could be longer, it might be 9 years when I first started working with him. We left work one Saturday started working with him. We left work one Saturday afternoon the week before Christmas and Roy went to the afternoon the week before Christmas and Roy went to the bus station and got on the wrong bus. He caught the bus to bus station and got on the wrong bus. He caught the bus to Manchester instead of the bus to his house, and my boss at Manchester instead of the bus to his house, and my boss at the time actually rang me at 6 o’clock, half past 6, and told the time actually rang me at 6 o’clock, half past 6, and told me that Roy had not arrived home after he’d left work at 4 me that Roy had not arrived home after he’d left work at 4 o’clock. So we all got in our cars and went looking for him. o’clock. So we all got in our cars and went looking for him. It took us about 2 hours to find him but eventually we It took us about 2 hours to find him but eventually we found him and got him back home in one piece. He had found him and got him back home in one piece. He had done that on a couple of occasions, got on wrong bus and done that on a couple of occasions, got on wrong bus and ended up having to catch a bus from somewhere else, but ended up having to catch a bus from somewhere else, but he knows now the bus he has to catch…he has learnt his he knows now the bus he has to catch…he has learnt his lesson with buses now with the help of Peter. Roy gets on lesson with buses now with the help of Peter. Roy gets on the right bus the majority of time”the right bus the majority of time”

Overcoming barriersOvercoming barriers

What would make it easer for them to employ people What would make it easer for them to employ people

with learning difficulties?with learning difficulties? The 21 employers who responded to the survey The 21 employers who responded to the survey

questionnairequestionnaire suggested six ways. Out of these,suggested six ways. Out of these, 1.1. Increasing disability awareness by providing training for employers Increasing disability awareness by providing training for employers

was reported by six informants; was reported by six informants; 2.2. Providing suitable training for people with learning difficulties was Providing suitable training for people with learning difficulties was

mentioned by six employers; mentioned by six employers; 3.3. Providing more supported employment agencies to support Providing more supported employment agencies to support

employers at work was noted by four informants; employers at work was noted by four informants; 4.4. Integrating people with learning difficulties at school and in the Integrating people with learning difficulties at school and in the

labour market was reported by 3 employers; labour market was reported by 3 employers; 5.5. Increasing voluntary/work experience for people with learning Increasing voluntary/work experience for people with learning

difficulties was mentioned by two employers; difficulties was mentioned by two employers; 6.6. encouraging employers to employ people with learning difficulties encouraging employers to employ people with learning difficulties

was reported by two informants, and was reported by two informants, and One person had no idea.One person had no idea.

Overcoming employment barriers Overcoming employment barriers

The employers who were interviewed stated three ways The employers who were interviewed stated three ways of overcoming employment barriers:of overcoming employment barriers:

1.1. Increasing employers’ awareness,Increasing employers’ awareness,2.2. Providing supported employment, andProviding supported employment, and3.3. Providing a more flexible benefit Providing a more flexible benefit

systemsystem

Overall, the ways of overcoming Overall, the ways of overcoming barriers were divided into two main barriers were divided into two main categories: categories: individual individual and and structuralstructural factors. factors.

Individual factors Individual factors

Individual factorsIndividual factors required the required the provision of suitable training, provision of suitable training, voluntary work and work experience voluntary work and work experience for people with learning difficulties.for people with learning difficulties.

This study suggestedThis study suggested that providing that providing more voluntary and work experience for more voluntary and work experience for people with learning difficulties would people with learning difficulties would assist them in getting paid jobs. assist them in getting paid jobs.

Structural factors Structural factors Structural factors includedStructural factors included increasing increasing

employer’s awareness,employer’s awareness, encouraging employers encouraging employers to employ people with learning difficulties,to employ people with learning difficulties, providing a flexible benefit systemproviding a flexible benefit system and and providing supported employment serviceproviding supported employment service for for employers at work. employers at work.

Increasing employers’ awareness is very Increasing employers’ awareness is very important.important. In this study most employers, In this study most employers, whether interviewees or respondents to survey whether interviewees or respondents to survey questionnaires stated that increasing questionnaires stated that increasing employers’ awareness about the ability of employers’ awareness about the ability of people with learning difficulties was one of the people with learning difficulties was one of the important ways of overcoming barriers. important ways of overcoming barriers.

This study showed that if employers This study showed that if employers work with people with learning work with people with learning difficulties, they would be interested in difficulties, they would be interested in employing them.employing them. For instance, Andy had For instance, Andy had employed Roy Watson for 13 years. Andy employed Roy Watson for 13 years. Andy stated that based on his work experiences stated that based on his work experiences with Roy, he was interested in employing with Roy, he was interested in employing more employees with learning difficulties at more employees with learning difficulties at his workplace because he believed: his workplace because he believed:

They [people with learning difficulties] are They [people with learning difficulties] are good workers, helping their colleagues, good workers, helping their colleagues, polite, always smart, well presented, and polite, always smart, well presented, and punctual.punctual.

Providing supported employmentProviding supported employment

The findings showedThe findings showed that most employers stated that most employers stated that supported employment agencies were that supported employment agencies were important. Support included important. Support included

The provision of more supervisionThe provision of more supervision for people with for people with learning difficulties at work, learning difficulties at work,

Financial supportFinancial support, , Training for employersTraining for employers to inform them about the to inform them about the

types of support available and how to support types of support available and how to support people with learning difficulties at work, people with learning difficulties at work,

Voluntary work for peopleVoluntary work for people with learning difficulties with learning difficulties before getting a paid job and, before getting a paid job and,

Help for employees in solving their transportation Help for employees in solving their transportation problems.problems.