Conferences aim to stimulate debate on learning disabilities’ issues

A UK-wide programme of thought-provoking conferences, aimed at reviewing and responding to some of the key issues faced by people with learning disabilities, has launched its first event.

The ‘Interest to Influence’ Conference Series opened in Hartlepool last week with the first conference entitled ‘Let’s See Eye To Eye on Work and Jobs for People with Learning Disabilities’.

The series has been created by the Association for Real Change - one of Britain’s leading umbrella organisations for learning disabilities providers - in partnership with national social care charities, Community Integrated Care and Real Life Options, along with support from a local user-led organisation, In Control-able.

‘Interest to Influence’ aims to give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to engage with people and groups who have influence over issues important to them, as well as encourage those with influence to champion change in these areas. There will be six conferences in the series, with the topic and location for each one proposed by people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. The conferences are scheduled to take place over the next year or so.

Jacqueline Bell of the Association for Real Change and the Mayor of Hartlepool, Stephen Akers-Belcher

Delegates at the opening event, which took place at Hartlepool FE College and was opened by the Mayor of Hartlepool, had the opportunity to hear the inspirational stories of local people with learning disabilities who have found work and flourished in employment, as well as meeting employers who champion equality in employment.

Jacqueline Bell, chief executive at the Association for Real Change says: “We were thrilled to see so many people from across the sector, including care professionals, family members and those with support needs, come to together to share their thoughts and stimulate a great discussion on the important topic of work for people with learning disabilities.

“Statistics show that while 65 per cent of people with a learning disability would like a job, only 7 per cent are in paid employment, and that those who are, are paid on average 33 per cent less that their colleagues; the conference really gave us the opportunity to ask why. “Throughout the remainder of the series we will continue to put the spotlight on some of the key issues that people have asked us to explore and we hope that these discussions will provide clear insight on how things can change to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. We look forward to drawing the outcomes of the conference series into a special publication, which will be presented to government and promoted nationally.”

Although yet to be confirmed, it is likely that the next conferences will cover housing and health issues.

For more details about future events,email Danielle Chan, Communications & Marketing Manager at Community Integrated Care,on danielle.chan@c-i-c.co.uk