One fundamental aim of education is to help people to develop their own potential within a changing society. This aim applies to people with learning difficulties, just as to anyone else. But although the aim may be the same, the opportunities are different. There is ample evidence that people with learning difficulties, given the right educational opportunities, can achieve much more than most people would believe possible. Unfortunately they tend to be sheltered from or excluded from life's experiences. Yet it is mainly these very experiences which will help them to learn and develop. This discussion paper is designed to show how the general further education system can help the twin processes of developing adults with learning difficulties and informing the general community.