During his first official outing, the new Minister met with learning disabled staff working at the Orchard Café in Belfast. Run by the Orchardville Society, the Café is just one of a number of services provided by the charity to help people with a learning disability gain access to training and employment opportunities.
The Minister said: “Improving services for learning disabled people is one of my key priorities. They deserve the same opportunities as able-bodied people to education and to work so that they can live independent lives. I want to see an increase in the number of training and employment opportunities available for people with learning disabilities.
“The Orchard Café is just one shining example of the excellent work carried out by the Orchardville Society to show how people with a learning disability can work and gain qualifications. People with learning disabilities should be part of our society and I am committed to ensuring that they have every opportunity to do so.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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- The Orchardville Society is a Voluntary Organisation and registered Charity set up in 1981 by parents and carers of people with severe learning disabilities in South and East Belfast.
