March 23, 2015 3.45 pm This story is over 108 months old

Lincoln MP hosts summit to boost disabled employment

Disability conference: Businesses across Lincolnshire held a summit in Lincoln on increasing disabled employment in the region.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Employers across Lincolnshire held a summit in Lincoln on increasing the number of jobs for disabled people in the region.

The event was one of a number of conferences hosted across the country to promote the Disability Confident campaign.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney chaired the event and took questions from employers about how to improve and increase the recruitment of disabled people.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Disability Confident initiative was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2013 to encourage employers to become more confident about recruiting disabled people.

Businesses become Disability Confident employers by removing barriers in recruiting disabled people and hiring local disabled jobseekers.

Sponsored by employment, learning and skills charity, Shaw Trust, there was a presentation from Clare Gray, who spoke about how the charity helps employers eager to increase the diversity of their workforce.

Clare, Shaw Trust’s Specialist Disability Co-ordinator, is a wheelchair user with spinal muscular atrophy and has been a passionate advocate for the disabled community for many years.

The DWP also discussed the Access to Work scheme which pays for practical support when disabled people need help to start and stay in work.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Karl McCartney said: “It was great to learn more about how Lincolnshire employers are working closely with the disabled community to offer them employment opportunities.

“I welcome the targeted specialist support offered to disabled people so they can find work. We should never be complacent about reducing unemployment and the support we offer disabled people to fulfil their career ambitions.

“Disability Confident is helping to break down traditional barriers that have held progress in this area back. It is clear to me that employers are increasingly aware of the talents disabled workers possess.”

Roy O’Shaughnessy, chief executive of Shaw Trust, added: “Through our work with employers across the UK we are seeing an increasing number of businesses who are committed to recruiting more disabled workers.

“There has been a positive culture shift among employers who recognise the benefit of a diverse workforce and the Disability Confident campaign continues to make significant progress towards ensuring the job market is open and fair for all.”