Overview
Cognitive disability is an umbrella term for conditions that impact a person’s mental processing. It can affect the way a person thinks, plans, learns, solves problems and remembers things.
Cognitive disability is a broad term that describes the effects of a number of conditions like:
- Intellectual disability
- Acquired brain injury
- Dementia
- Learning disabilities e.g. dyslexia
- Stroke.
You can find out more general information about these neurodivergent conditions on the Healthdirect site(Opens in a new tab/window).
Cognitive disability may be temporary or permanent, depending on the condition that causes it.1 Cognitive disability can affect a person’s memory, concentration or problem-solving skills, and people with cognitive disability may face a number of barriers to getting and keeping a job. Despite this, there are a range of supports that can be put in place to allow a person with cognitive disability to thrive in a workplace.
Examples of adjustments that may support people with cognitive disability in employment include:
- reducing distraction in the work environment
- using assistive technology
- allowing more time to learn new job tasks
- presenting instructions in different ways, including in written and verbal formats
- breaking information into smaller pieces rather than presenting it all at once.2
Key strategies for success
Here are some principles that should guide good practice in helping jobseekers with cognitive disability into employment:
- Set high expectations for both the jobseeker and employers.
- Use a person-centred approach to working with the person to build their skills and confidence.
- Consider how the person’s life journey impacts their work journey, especially for young people moving from school to work (this is sometimes called a life course perspective).
- Start planning for employment as early as possible.
- Tailor support and training to match the specific needs and abilities of each individual.3
To find out more about this see the laying foundations for work(Opens in a new tab/window) page.
A note on language: Cognitive disability is a general term and an overall category of disability. Intellectual disability is a specific type of cognitive disability. All intellectual disability is a cognitive disability, but not all cognitive disabilities are intellectual disabilities.
People experience cognitive disability in different ways, and every person will need different support and adjustments to get and keep a job.
The person you are working with is an expert on the supports and adjustments that will help them to do their job safely and effectively, so getting to know them is a priority.
Intellectual disability
People with intellectual disability want to work but often face significant barriers to employment. Employing people with intellectual disability requires planning and workplace adjustments but can bring many benefits to businesses and organisations.