Asset or Obligation? – Persons with Learning Disabilities in the Workforce

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Table of Contents

                                                                                        Page #

        Figures and tables                                                                        iii

 Acknowledgements                                                                        iv    

       Abstract                                                                                        v

Introduction                                                                                1

Literature Review                                                                                3

Methodology                                                                                11

Data Collection                                                                                13

Data Analysis                                                                                16

Conclusion                                                                                 25

Limitations                                                                                27

References                                                                                29                                        

Appendices                                                                                32        

        Appendix A        Data Collection Tool                                                        33

        Appendix B        Descriptive Statistics – Verbal communication                        36

        Appendix C        Descriptive Statistics – Numeracy                                        37

        Appendix D        Descriptive Statistics – Technical skills                                38

        Appendix E        Descriptive Statistics – Academic qualifications                        39

        Appendix F        Descriptive Statistics – Written communication                        40

        Appendix G        Descriptive Statistics – Teamwork                                        41

        Appendix H        Descriptive Statistics – Problem-solving                                42

        Appendix I        Descriptive Statistics – Time management                                43

        Appendix J        Descriptive Statistics – Professionalism                                44

        Appendix K        Descriptive Statistics – Initiative                                        45

        Appendix L        Current and past employment trends                                46

        Appendix M        Reasons for not employing persons with learning disabilities        47

        Appendix N        Perceived effect of learning disabilities on output                        48

Figures and Tables

Figure 1        Percentage of professions represented in the study                                16

Figure 2        Number of skills required by profession                                        17

Figure 3        Professions requiring basic academic skills                                        18

Figure 4        Professions requiring higher thinking skills                                        19

Figure 5        Professions requiring personal qualities                                        19

Figure 6        Summary of skills required                                                        20

Figure 7        Do learning disabilities prevent the development of employability skills?        23

Figure 8        Businesses offering positions for persons with learning disabilities                24

Table 1                Employability Skills                                                                  7

Table 2                Descriptive Statistics                                                                21