Dear future employer

One day my twin boys will be interviewed by you for a job. They will be confident, eager to learn, eager to develop and eager to please. Do not be afraid of their chromosome count and do not assume that they will not be an asset to your business. Please do not assume anything. If you are worried about what additional support they might need, or what roles they can learn – ask them! They will tell you, with charm and with honesty.

Ask them why they want to work for you. In front of you are two identical twins, both with Down syndrome. Each is wonderfully different from the other as is imaginable. Each will bring something wonderfully different to your workplace.

While I know that your business will thrive with either of them as an employee, you don’t know that yet, and you hold the power. You can choose to see these two exceptional young men as ‘other’ and as a risk, or you could choose to talk to them, find out who they are and invest in them.

Only 6% of adults with a learning disability are in paid employment. Are you going to be the business leader who changes that? Are you going to be the one who really, truly sees the value in diversity, instead of just using the hashtag? Is your business going to be the model for a vibrant, modern business with a breath of brilliant employees?
Ask my boys a question, any question, and let them convince you of the answer themselves.

Yours,
Elaine Scougal

Researcher, mother to Ollie and Cameron