Supporters of social inclusion have generated a wave ot eimployrnent schemes Tor people with learning disabilities around the country, yet not much is Known of people’s experiences of working life. Sara Owen and colleagues discuss the results of a study that provides a detailed qualitative account of how Welfare to Work Joint Investment Plans have been interpreted, implemented, and evaluated in three local authorities in Midlands

In 2000, there were an estimated 6.6 million ‘long-term’ disabled people of working age in the UK (Woolnough 2001). People with learning disabilities account for a small but significant minority of this population. It is also estimated that disabled people are seven times more likely than their non-disabled counterparts to be unemployed and claiming benefits; this figure being significantly higher for those with learning disabilities (Weston 2002). Although there are no reliable statistics, it is probable that less than 10 per cent of people with learning disabilities are in employment (Department of Health (DH) 2001).