Why you should read this article:

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To recognise the importance of paid employment as part of social inclusion

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To understand the barriers to paid employment that people with learning disabilities may experience

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To consider strategies that you could use in your practice to support people with learning disabilities in accessing paid employment

The percentage of working age adults with learning disabilities who are in paid employment is low compared with the general population. There may also be an underlying expectation that people with learning disabilities will take on unpaid voluntary roles and assumptions are often made that this population lacks the potential to contribute to their communities. This article discusses the barriers to and complexities of employing people with learning disabilities to work on a training programme and research project. It describes the various challenges experienced by the employers and employees during the recruitment process and while working in the role, and it details the strategies that were used to overcome these issues.