BDF: Government must listen to employers to close disability gap

The Business Disability Forum (BDF) has urged the UK Government to listen to employers to close the disability employment gap. 

Approximately, one in five people in the UK have a disability, confirmed the disability and business membership organisation. Yet only 54% of disabled people are in employment, compared with 82% of non-disabled people. So today, it provided evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee for its inquiry into the disability employment gap. 

Angela Matthews, Head of Policy at Business Disability Forum, shared evidence from BDF members on their experiences of engaging with schemes to support disabled people to access and remain in work. “The Access to Work scheme has been a ‘job saver’ for many employees when they eventually get what they need. But the process is inaccessible; and some Access to Work advisers are making decisions about adjustments based on an out-of-date knowledge of business and IT systems,” explained Matthews.

REPORTING FOR TRANSPARENCY

Matthews highlighted that many members welcomed mandatory workforce reporting to improve transparency, but cautioned against viewing data collection as an end in itself. “Many of our members have told us that they would welcome reporting for the sake of transparency; and indeed many are already going beyond what is required in law by doing this already,” she highlighted. “It is important to remember though that data is only one part of the picture – by itself it will not advance inclusion and improve the experience of their disabled employees but needs to be accompanied by wider system and cultural change.”

BDF is also calling for better consultation with businesses on the Government’s proposed National Disability Strategy. “Business Disability Forum has fed back to the Disability Unit that businesses have not been consulted enough on this strategy,” added Matthews. “This is disappointing since so much of the Strategy’s success relies on the delivery of contracts, accessible products and services; and inclusively designed business models. There is still time for the Government to address this issue and we hope they will take onboard our comments.”

ADDRESSING DISABILITY GAP

The Disability Commission, chaired by Lord Shinkwin, recently published an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to address the disability employment gap within his anticipated National Disability Strategy. The Disability Commission has also published Now Is The Time. The report makes the case for a once in a generation opportunity for improving employment opportunities for disabled people. Lord Shinkwin also presented evidence from the report during the Work and Pensions Select Committee session.