YOUNG disabled people are not considering a career in teaching because they see no role models in the profession, a report by a Newport university researcher claims.
But according to Nicola Cook, of University of Wales College, Newport's School of Education, there are many suitable role models - but they haven't disclosed their disability.
Miss Cook, 32, from Llanhilleth, said: "The fact is, there are already a number of teachers with disabilities. We need to get them to 'come out', and raise awareness about the safeguards and guidelines that are in place to support them. They are the role models needed by young people with disabilities."
Her report also suggests low aspirations of disabled people could be to blame for the lack of disabled teachers.
The report makes several recommendations to encourage young people with disabilities into teaching. They include targeting of further education colleges for recruitment.
A project is now being introduced to see if it is feasible to take on people with disabilities, involving Gwent schools and UWCN.
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