2024-02-28 16:24:54
Hft welcomes review into autism employment
Hft, the learning disability charity, has welcomed the Buckland Review on Autism Employment, which puts forward concrete recommendations to ensure that work is accessible to, and inclusive of, autistic people.
“In particular, it is pleasing to see supported internships highlighted as a route into employment,” says Steve Veevers, Hft’s CEO.
“As a partner of Project SEARCH, we are aware of the transformative impact that supported internships can have, having supported 309 graduates through this pathway since 2013.
“However, it is important to take this opportunity to highlight that a substantial learning disability employment gap exists too. At present, 4.8% of learning disabled adults are in paid employment – decreasing from 6.0% in 2014/15 – representing a 70.7% gap against the 75.5% employment rate of the general population.
“The Government’s announcement in November last year of a £2.5bn investment programme to encourage people back to work from long-term sick leave, although helpful, is not new money to support these recommended pathways. What we instead need to see is specific, targeted support for learning disabled adults, helping them on their way to, and throughout, their working lives.
“Highlighting barriers to employment faced by learning disabled adults is a key focus of our influencing plan, Voices for Our Future. We want to see the Government use the same resource and effort to examine the experiences of learning disabled adults and begin to take steps towards a world where they have an equal opportunity to earn a fair wage in a job they enjoy.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk