August 03, 2021
Boris Johnson launched a new national strategy for people with disabilities, which includes plans to consult on reporting on disabled workers for companies with more than 250 employees.
The strategy also includes proposals for an online work pass to enable disabled students to make the seamless transition from education to work.
This is in response to the UK Disability Survey, which had over 14,000 participants. The data showed that many people with disabilities feel held back in their everyday lives by negative attitudes of others and poorly designed public buildings and facilities.
“For the first time we have a real intergovernmental focus with clearly defined priorities and goals. We are determined to put disabled people at the center of government policy and service delivery. Your voices, insights and experiences are of central importance. Strategy and our future approach. By involving disabled people, their families, carers and organizations, together we will create real and lasting change. “
– Justin Tomlinson
Minister for Disabled People
Inclusion in the workplace
The strategy focuses on improving inclusion in the workplace, closing the disability employment gap – currently 28.6 percent – and ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities are at the heart of the strategy, including:
- Advice on the introduction of a personnel reporting system for companies with more than 250 employees on the number of disabled people. A move to improve inclusive practice among the UK’s largest employers and build on existing gender reporting requirements
- Increase the number of people with disabilities employed by MI5, MI6, GCHQ, the reservists and the civilian military by 2030. MI6 has set an interim target of 9 percent by 2025.
- Launch of a new online counseling center, available to both disabled people and employers, providing information and advice on disability discrimination in the workplace, flexible work, and rights and obligations related to reasonable adjustments.
- Investments of £ 300 million to create places, improve existing schools and adapt accessibility for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The strategy will build on the Disability Discrimination Act, which has established the protection of people with disabilities in relation to employment, transport, education and the provision of goods and services.
Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said, “For the first time we have a real intergovernmental focus with clearly defined priorities and goals. We are determined to put disabled people at the center of government policy and service delivery. Your voices, insights and experiences are central to this strategy and our future approach. By involving disabled people, their families, carers and organizations, together we will create real and lasting change. “
Help for soldiers leaving the army
In addition, the government is launching a pilot project to adapt access to work to ease the transition to employment and help people change jobs. This year there are pilot projects focusing on young people leaving education and veterans leaving the army.
The Adjustment Passport captures the person’s need for support while at work and aims to empower them to have confident conversations about adjustments with employers.
The employer is also expected to move specialist tools and equipment when the employee enters work or changes jobs.
ThisWeekinFM is hosting a nonprofit event exclusively for those who have left the army and are looking for a new challenge on Thursday October 28th from 2pm to 6pm.
The aim of this event, in conjunction with a small presentation by companies from these industries, is to promote the numerous opportunities for service leavers in FM.
Register your interest
Stuart Finnie, Regional Director of Design at Unispace, the experts in workplace design, commented that measures need to go beyond access to the physical building as not all obstructions are visible:
“Companies have to design work areas and cultivate a culture that facilitates individual accessibility needs in the workplace. This can be achieved through intelligent design solutions, from barrier-free entrances to optimizing lighting for productivity and ease of work, controlling the noise level and providing adaptable workplaces. Technology also plays a crucial role.
“‘Accessibility Tech’ is big news as personalized, app-based software is transforming the future workplace landscape, while investments in accessible hardware, such as no-touch entry and voice recognition systems, become more ubiquitous in our offices. The key to success is ensuring that these design considerations are in harmony with the room without appearing as an afterthought. “
Image: a photo of two people sitting at a desk. One person is a wheelchair user and one person is wearing compression gloves Photo credit: Chona Kasinger for the disabled and here
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published August 03, 2021
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