Capital launch for scheme to help disabled people find jobs

A NEW scheme to help get disabled people into work was set to be launched today.

Just under half of disabled people in Scotland are in work, compared to around 75 per cent of the general population, while less than one in five people with severe learning difficulties are in paid work.

The issue was a hotly-debated topic at an Evening News-organised youth debate last week at the EICC.

Labour leader Iain Gray described the lack of support for young people with learning difficulties looking for work as a "scandal".

The new Scottish Government initiative, due to be launched by lifelong learning minister Keith Brown at The Action Group and Into Work service in Edinburgh today, is designed to offer more support for people with disabilities who are trying to find work.

Bruce Brodie, vice-chair of the Scottish Union of Supported Employment, said: "SUSE welcomes the Supported Employment Framework for Scotland document as a major catalyst in the ongoing development of employment focussed services for people with disabilities."