There are over 7 million people in the UK that have a disability and are of working age (16-64), yet less than half of these individuals are in work with around 350,000 actively seeking work. These are worrying figures because it is important and beneficial to have an inclusive workforce and the current situation is stunting economic growth.

The Equality Act

It is, of course, against the law for an employer to discriminate against anyone because of a disability (or age, gender, religion, sexual orientation etc) but those with a disability are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled individuals. The Equality Act of 2010 requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for those with a disability so that they are not at a disadvantage. While this act has had a positive impact, there is still a lot of work to be done to make it consistent across the UK.

Issues

One of the major problems that many disabled individuals face when it comes to securing work is being able to get to and from work each day as public transport can be expensive and unreliable so in many cases they will have to rely on someone else for a lift. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) from places like Allied Mobility are ideal for those that require the use of a wheelchair and in many cases a disabled individual will be able to drive these cars provided that they have a license.

Remote Working/Self-Employment

Remote working is also a good solution as this eliminates the need to commute into work each day and allows the individual to work from the comfort of their own home while still easily communicating with the office. Similarly, becoming self-employed can be a good option for an individual with a disability because it puts them in charge and provides flexibility while still providing them with a chance to earn a living and contribute to economic growth.

Alterations at Work

If this is not a possibility then employers need to make alterations to the work environment to accommodate those with a disability. This might include installing ramps, purchasing special equipment and making any changes required for the individual to work happily and confidently each day.

While there have been many positive steps in recent times in terms of employment for those with disabilities, there is still a lot of work to be done. Fortunately, advances in technology and anti-discrimination laws are improving the situation gradually which means that those with a wide range of disabilities can find a way to work and earn a living one way or another and help to boost the economy. Despite this, employers need to do much more to promote a diverse workforce and accommodate for those with a disability in the coming years.