DFN Project SEARCH Scotland achieves 100% employment success in Aberdeen for young adults with a learning disability or autism who have completed their transition to work programme

Kevin Stewart, MSP

DFN Project SEARCH is delighted to announce that 100% of young adults with a learning disability and/or autism who took part in their latest supported internship programme in Aberdeen have moved into paid work.

The charity, which has had 91 graduates from Aberdeen enrolled in programmes since 2013, achieved the employment success ahead of Scottish Learning Disability Week 2022, which is taking place 2nd May until the 8th May, to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with a learning disability.

The theme for this year’s Learning Disability Week is ‘We all have human rights’ and DFN Project SEARCH is dedicated to upholding the human right to work which is an important element in helping people to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central said “Here in Aberdeen, Project SEARCH carries out vital work to support people with learning disabilities and I’m delighted to see that 100% of graduates from their most recent intake are now in employment. The folks involved at Project SEARCH continue to break down barriers that many disabled people face when trying to gain employment and I know that Learning Disability Week is particularly important to Project SEARCH and the work that they do to support those with learning disabilities.”

Claire Cookson, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH said “We’re absolutely delighted with our 100% success rate in Aberdeen and would like to thank all our incredible partners in supporting our interns into employment. People with a learning disability and autism spectrum conditions have a huge array of talent to offer employers, the majority of which is untapped. We all have human rights and the right to work is one of the most valued in terms of achieving individual identity and social status.”