'I'm an adult now - why am I being treated differently?'

The mother of a young man with a learning disability has said it is "heartbreaking" watching her son "starting to sense that he's not having the opportunities or the chances of somebody his age".

Kathy Doherty, from Londonderry, has a 26-year-old son called Oran, who is autistic and has a learning disability.

Adults with disabilities in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without a disability, according to a report from the Department for the Economy (DfE).

Oran had received a training place with the Orchardville organisation, but Kathy said he had difficulties finding work.

She said they "would be lost without the day opportunities, because they keep him busy and having a purpose".

But Kathy said that when it came to finding work for Oran "you're nearly relying on people that you know".

"He's got very conscious in that, 'I'm an adult now, why am I being treated differently here?'," she said.

"He'll go for placements and it turns out they go: 'Ah no, he isn't suitable.'

"So he doesn't even get a start.

"Many people say to me: 'He's so capable', but it's really difficult to find a place for him where he can, with support, flourish.

"I do think these places that are trying to help them and get funding, I think they find it very difficult."

More than a third of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland are in work, compared with more than half in the rest of the UK.

Jonathan Walker runs Four G, a day opportunities service for young adults with learning disabilities in the Ballybeen estate in east Belfast, and contributed to new research on what finding work is like for those with learning disabilities.

He said getting work as an adult with a learning disability can be like "falling into a black hole".

Mr Walker said a number of those he worked with had been successful in work experience, but that support was key.

"You definitely want someone that's going to be there all the time to support the young adults," he said.

"They should also have some training in how to work with young adults who are autistic or who have learning difficulties, to understand the young adults and know their capabilities as well."

Some young adults from Four G working in local supermarkets, for instance, were assisted by community support workers.

Mr Walker said that Northern Ireland should learn from other countries about how to enable more adults with learning difficulties to get into work.

In other cases, Mr Walker said staff have helped to guide young adults in their jobs.

"It boosts their confidence so much, they come in and they're buzzing."

The Department for the Economy report was based on the experiences of adults with learning disabilities in or seeking work, and those in supported employment.

It also heard from organisations that provide employment and training for adults with learning disabilities, and said that work could bring many benefits.

But funding can often be a problem for organisations offering long-term employment support.

Stepping Stones NI provides training and employment for people with learning difficulties - its chief officer, Paula Jennings, said that "with the right level of support people with learning disabilities should have the opportunity to gain employment and experience the world of work".

"To do this we need our government departments to be accountable, working together to fund specific employability programmes for people with learning disabilities," she added.

"This is vital if people are to thrive and have a great future, it's that simple."

In some cases, according to the report, it has been teachers at schools who have arranged work placements for their students.

Some parents have been campaigning to change the law in Northern Ireland so that support is provided for young people with special educational needs (SEN) to help them into training or further education when they leave school.

The report said "the transition process to adulthood and adult services could be complicated and challenging".

"My son is about to turn 17 and I have no transition plan, have no guidance and no idea where he's going to go," one parent told the report's authors.

"When you leave school, there's nothing in place to help you know where to go next," one adult with disabilities said.

Mr Walker also said there were "not enough opportunities" for those leaving school.

Organisations that provide supported employment and training told the report many adults with disabilities did not get enough of a chance to build up skills and experience of working in "real-world jobs".

Some also expressed concern that young adults "were always made to clean" when on an external work placement.

The report said "there should be more training and awareness for employers when hiring people with learning disabilities".

Some adults with learning disabilities also said they lacked confidence about moving from supported or sheltered employment to paid work.

Organisations who provide supported employment and training said some of those fears could be overcome if employers offered ongoing mentoring and individual support.

But the rising cost of living and costs facing employers could make it more difficult for them to offer in-work support.

The report recommended a number of measures, including, specialist staff within schools to support young people with SEN in finding employment or work placements after school.

It also said employers "often hold misconceptions about the capabilities of individuals with learning disabilities, leading to hesitancy in hiring and limited job offers".

The report recommended employers use a "buddy" system - pairing an adult with learning difficulties up with another employee who was enthusiastic about supporting them.