Disabled people to be helped back into work

A pioneering project co-led by people with learning disabilities has been launched to help the county's disabled population get into the workplace.

The strategy, which includes a new DVD created by people with disabilities, looks to support those who may have in the past been overlooked by employers.

Officials at County Hall hope the project will help alleviate pressure on the welfare system, while giving disabled people the chance to have as equal chances as others.

Cllr Graham Gibbens, cabinet member for adult social care at Kent County Council, said people with learning difficulties need this support.

"It is so much better for them to come off benefits and get into the workplace and over the last four or five years society has been supportive in trying to make this happen," he said.

"People with learning disabilities should not be subjected to a life on benefits. They should be given equal life chances to show off their talents."

The DVD, commissioned by the Jobs Action Group and made with support from Kent Supported Employment and the Skillnet Group, forms part of a draft strategy giving disabled people real chances to live the life they want.

The plan, which was co-written by Paul Golding, who has a learning disability, family carer Bernard Chick and KCC's Kathy Melling, will be presented to the Kent Partnership Board in September to gain full approval.

Cllr Gibbens said: "The future is looking positive and more people will get into work with this support.

"The DVD demonstrates what there is to help people in the county, while showing the potential to employers.

"We're being very pro-active. A lot of this is about making employers aware of the benefits of taking on people with learning disabilities, not only on them but on society.

"It is quite clear from firms that already employ people with learning disabilities that there are no constraints and there is real talent there.

"Everybody has different skills and talents and they should be given the chance to develop these."

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