What HR can do to help recruit staff with learning disabilities

Nearly a quarter of employers said they have staff who would not be happy working with someone with a learning disability, according to a new report.

The study, conducted by charity Mencap, found that 45% of employers have not employed somebody with a learning disability.

Mark Capper, Head of Employer Engagement at Mencap, explains why HR has to do more to help recruit candidates with learning disabilities, saying: “Firstly, we need to break down some of the negative perceptions that surround learning disability, and focus on the benefits of adopting an inclusive employment strategy.

“The survey we carried out is a good starting point. If HR professionals can highlight the fact that having disabled employees helps companies understand its disabled customers better, and represents a huge potential commercial benefit, then this is a good place to start.”