Much work needs to be done to include more disabled people in the workforce

THERE is still much work to be done when it comes to including more disabled people in the workforce.

And the Covid pandemic has seen the jobs gap worsen, with the employment rate for this group now 28 per cent lower than for able-bodied people.

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A pay gap persists, too, with the hourly wage for a disabled worker averaging £11.55 compared to £13.45 for others. 

Despite the anti-discrimination laws, a fifth of employers admit being less likely to hire candidates with disabilities, due to fears such as the costs of modifying their equipment. 

After facing a series of medical conditions in her twenties, fashion technologist Victoria Jenkins quit her job at Victoria Beckham’s firm to launch her own disability line.

And now the entrepreneur behind unhiddenclothing.com is encouraging more disabled people to start their own businesses.

Victoria, 36, from Islington, North London, says: “The biggest challenge has been fighting ‘ableism’.

“People simply don’t realise how many of us there are and how woefully underrepresented we are.

“Creative problem-solving is one of the single biggest things the disabled community are world leaders in. 

“We all need to do much more and, ideally, support disabled entrepreneurs, before they even decide to become entrepreneurs, with a guide and grant system.”

She adds: “All we want is a level playing field.”

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a UN-backed initiative that aims to break down barriers and raise employment rates. It is also the first Purple Sock Day, created to raise funds and awareness of disabled entrepreneurs.

This growing start-up sector is fuelled by disabled people turning to self-employment after being locked out of conventional roles.

Despite many disabled-backed businesses harn- essing the power of the “Purple Pound” — the £274billion spent annually by disabled people — support is still limited.

To help, social ent- erprise Parallel Lifestyle has teamed up with sustainable brand Bam Clothing to sell specially designed purple socks. Half the profits from the £5 pairs will go towards a new fund to support and provide grants to disability-owned start-ups and entrepreneurs.

MAKE FIRMS FIT FOR ALL

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STEVE INGHAM, boss of recruiter PageGroup, was left paralysed by a skiing accident in 2019.

Here Steve, below, explains why firms should sign up to the new Disability Employment Charter, which calls on Whitehall to do more for disabled staff.

1. IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS’S OUTPUT: The more diverse your workers, the more creative the solutions, from which your business will benefit.
2. LOOMING SKILLS GAP: Vacancy rates are at an all-time high of almost 1.2million. Firms need to tap into the widest possible talent pool and make workplaces accessible.
3. PURPLE POUND: By hiring disabled workers, firms can benefit from their insights to tap into the disabled market.
4. LOWER STAFF TURN-OVER: Resignations cost firms cash. Long Covid has shown the need for flexibility for chronic illnesses. Companies already set up with reasonable adjustments will ensure workers who develop disabilities feel valued.
5. BOOST YOUR FIRM’S REPUTATION: Four in ten millennials have either turned down or not pursued jobs with employers they perceive to be insufficiently inclusive.

Access to jobs

HUNDREDS of disabled university students will benefit from a new “passport” scheme supporting them as they move into work.

The Access to Work Adjustment Passport reduces the need for repeated health assessments when starting a new job and will help disabled graduates access grants of up to £62,900 to cover the cost of specialist equipment at work. It is hoped the passport will ease the transition between jobs.

 A pilot scheme is currently taking place at the University of Wolverhampton and Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith said: “Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to thrive at work, starting from the moment they take their first steps on the career ladder.”

Get on board

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A GROWING number of specialist job boards are helping match disabled jobseekers with inclusive employers looking for a more diverse workforce.

Careerswithdisabilities.com provides information, support and connection for both those looking for work and offering it.

Evenbreak is run by a team with disabilities and matches candidates to the most appropriate firms.

And Podium offers skilled disabled people freelance opportunities working from home or on projects at marketplace.appbytap.com.

You can track down other job boards through the disability charity Scope.