Understanding the social exclusion and stalled welfare of citizens with learning disabilities

Abstract

Despite the UK’s recent history of promoting the social inclusion and equality of men and women with learning disabilities they remain a significantly disadvantaged group. Compared with their non‐disabled peers they are more likely to be unemployed, less likely to own their own homes and are at a significantly greater risk of physical and mental ill health. The first part of this paper discusses the welfare rights of citizens with learning disabilities in terms of New Labour’s welfare to work policies. The second part discusses the UK’s mixed welfare economy and its impact upon services for men and women with learning disabilities. The paper concludes by considering whether the social inclusion of men and women with learning disabilities can be promoted solely through policies that emphasise inclusion through work and the personalisation of welfare services.

Keywords:

• learning disability
• employment
• welfare
• New Labour

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Bill Jordan, Isabel Clare and Tony Holland who, by commenting on drafts of this paper, have shared their experiences and ideas with me. In addition, I would like to thank the two anonymous referees for their critical yet helpful comments.