Work[able] forms part of a PhD project being carried out at the 欧美性爱片 by Occupational Therapist Diana Ramsey. The display, which consists of artwork and written stories, is the result of a collaboration between Diana, artist Sharon Boothroyd and six people with learning impairments. The exhibition runs from 19 to 25 November.
According to data from social care services, only 5.8% of people with such an impairment are in paid work, while a government report in 2009 indicated that 65% of this group wanted employment.
The pieces in Work[able] tell the stories of people seeking, gaining and being employed. John (caretaker), Dan (cleaner and café worker), Tracy (dinner lady), Matthew (cleaner), Julia (cleaner) and Rebecca (administrator) – all of whom are featured in the exhibition – could be viewed as unique given the aforementioned low employment figures.
Of Work[able], and her PhD research in general, Diana said: “Historically, focus has been given to understand the factors that support employment for people with a learning impairment and the outcomes linked to being in work.