News

Research by IHC shows that New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities want to work and can work but are shut out of employment opportunities.

A new report, Untapped Potential: The Employment Reality for People with Intellectual Disability, combines national employment, tax, and survey data with the lived experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. While the report reveals a stark picture of employment discrimination and income inequity, it also provides practical solutions to help thousands more people into meaningful work.

The research shows employment has a profound impact on people with intellectual disabilities, providing identity, belonging, and pride and is linked to better health and wellbeing outcomes, as well as greater social connection, improved confidence, and stronger financial security.

Those benefits are experienced by only a small percentage of the intellectually disabled community. Just 26 percent of working-age people with intellectual disabilities are in paid employment, compared with 80 percent of people without intellectual disabilities. Of the people with intellectual disabilities who do work almost 60 percent are paid less than the minimum wage.

IHC Senior Advocate Shara Turner says the report’s findings show people with intellectual disabilities are being failed by systems that should support them into employment.

“People with intellectual disabilities are not excluded from employment because they lack ability; they are excluded because our employment market is not inclusive.”

The report identifies changes needed to improve employment outcomes, such as better school-to-work transitions, tailored employment support, education and support for workplaces to make accommodations, more inclusive employer practices, and policy settings that encourage workforce participation.

Shara says improving employment outcomes would benefit not only people with intellectual disabilities, but also employers, communities and the wider economy.

"People with intellectual disabilities represent an enormous, untapped potential. Creating more inclusive workplaces is not charity. It's about opportunity, recognising the unique value people can bring when given the right support, and seeing the economic and social benefits from investing in people with intellectual disability. New Zealand cannot afford to overlook the skills, commitment and contribution that people with intellectual disabilities offer."

Alice Matthews, who has an intellectual disability, was looking for work for about four years before Choices NZ helped her start in a receptionist job at IHC two years ago. Alice says employment has given her more independence and confidence.

"I love it. It has been one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life,” she says. “People have given me a chance that I never had before.”

IHC will use the report findings to call on government, employers and the community to work together to create solutions that better support people with intellectual disabilities to find and keep meaningful work.

‍

Key report findings

• Only 26% of working-age people with intellectual disabilities are in paid employment, compared with 80% of people without intellectual disabilities.

• People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be in part-time, insecure and informal employment arrangements.

• More than half earn less than $25 per hour and nearly one in five earn below the minimum wage.

• People with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to job loss during economic downturns.

• During Covid-19 targeted government intervention mitigated employment vulnerabilities and protected employment for people with intellectual disabilities.

• Employment is associated with better wellbeing, health, belonging and financial independence.

‍

Media contact

Callan Lawrence
Principal Communications Advisor
callan.lawrence@ihc.org.nz

‍