Employment
The right to work.
People with Down syndrome have the right to work. This work should be in an open, inclusive and accessible labour market and work environment.
Article 27 (Work and Employment) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says,
‘States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.’
Barriers to employment.
People with Down syndrome and intellectual disability often face stereotypes, mistaken assumptions, and negative attitudes that can prevent them from getting jobs.
These negative attitudes can lead to employers not even considering people with Down syndrome for jobs, even if they are qualified.
Lack of education and training can also make it difficult for people with Down syndrome to find jobs. This is because they may not have the skills and experience that employers are looking for.
Benefits of employment for people with Down syndrome.
Employment can enhance quality of life in many ways, beyond providing an income.
It can give people a sense of identity, independence, and a sense of belonging.
It can also help people to establish additional relationships and interests.
Benefits for businesses and organisations.
Studies have shown that people with Down syndrome are loyal employees who are more likely to stay in their jobs than other employees.
They also tend to increase morale in the workplace and have a positive impact on colleagues and the overall professional climate.
As a result, they can be valuable assets to businesses.
Support and training.
Some organisations that work with people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities help to facilitate employment opportunities.
They have established programs to help people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities access suitable jobs and to provide support and training.
Some of these programs also provide training to the employing organisation and their staff. This process has been found to allay fears about employing people with Down syndrome and negative attitudes towards the disability, and has enabled the entire organisation to become more inclusive.
If you are a person with Down syndrome who would like to work, or an employer considering employing a person with Down syndrome, our members may be able to help. You can find contact details here.
Our work in employment.
Inclusive employment
We advocate for everyone to have access to employment in open, inclusive and accessible workplaces.