With a world centred on optimising work based on entirely able minded and bodied, it can be easy to overlook or undermine those who are different. Learning disabilities have begun to be more recognised in schools to allow for teaching to all children to be more easily accessible and understood, and it’s important to see this progression followed in the workplace.

Having staff with learning disabilities amongst the workforce is a positive factor for all parties involved for a number of reasons. A diverse team allows for a range of different ideas and implemented methods/adjustments to improve staff efficiency and productivity, for example. A successful employer will focus on ensuring all members of staff are working in an environment they feel comfortable and productive in, regardless of if this may vary from person to person. Employers making everyone feel accommodated can allow for those struggling to voice their concerns with the way the company works more freely, boosting employee morale as everyone feels important to contributing to improvement of the workforce, as well as improving and smoothing over any existing issues too.

As someone with a learning disability of any severity, employment can feel daunting and scary. Recent pushes for education, diversity and the end of workplace discrimination is steadily creating more spaces and places for you to feel appreciated, supported and equally sought after for various job roles. Not only this, but it is important to bear in mind your importance and significance to your future employer, and to make sure you have no issue in feeling comfortable to raise your own concerns about any need for additional support, or a different framework to allow you to flourish.

Having a different way of thinking, a different outlook or an ability to learn in new ways, you provide enriching and incredibly important information to an employer of any business. Uniformity should never be held as more significant than productivity in a well-functioning workplace, and this can only mean job roles heading towards a more personalised experience. Whilst an employer may expect certain results from a specific job role, discovering new ways to approach this work and tailor tasks for different people can broaden horizons for making employees feel valued and comfortable, all whilst improving performance. This goes without mentioning the long term impacts involving increased staff morale and staff retention too.

Often overlooked, those with learning disabilities will have had to face numerous challenges all throughout their life that able-bodied and minded people likely haven’t ever even considered. This would contribute to incredible problem-solving skills as well as a persistent, tenacious attitude. These qualities are so important to a working environment and shouldn’t be ignored or undervalued. The time for discrimination is being pushed out, and those with disabilities in the workplace should feel empowered to use their skills and different ways of thinking to their own, and others’, advantage. Take charge, ensure your needs are supported and accommodate to and change your workplace for the better.