On Friday 27th January 2017, Emma Reynolds MP, hosted local employers at an event in Wolverhampton with the aim of learning more about the financial, operational and social benefits of being a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is part of the Government’s long-term economic plan to increase employment rates among disabled people. The scheme is voluntary and access to the guidance, self-assessments and resources is completely free.

Research shows that more disabled jobseekers cite employers’ attitudes as a bigger barrier to work than transport, which is why Disability Confident is working hard to support employers to become more confident about hiring disabled people.

Speaking at the launch, Emma said: “I want to thank everybody involved in the Disability Confident initiative. The overall aim is to get more disabled people, who can work, into work and helping employers to bring down any barriers to that employment. It was excellent to see so many local employers at the event, such as Jaguar Land Rover and Wolverhampton Homes, and I hope it offers encouragement to disabled people about their worth and value.

I would call on more employers to make the journey to achieving the ‘Disability Confident’ kite mark which will send out a strong signal to disabled people that employers recognise and focus on their ability, and not their disability.”

Sarah Jury-Onen, District Manager at JobCentre Plus Black Country District Office, says, “It was an absolute pleasure to be joined by the three Wolverhampton MPs, Emma Reynolds, Pat McFadden and Rob Marris, local employers and partners to support the Disability Confident scheme. I am really passionate about helping local people into work. We heard from Jane Tipper of Wolverhampton Homes, who have utilised Access to Work to support their employees into work. We also heard from a Wolverhampton Homes employee, Ronnie, a mentor who has dyslexia. It was so insightful and inspirational.

We also heard how the economic power of disabled people and their families is immense. Not only do they have a combined spending power of over £200 billion, but they have skills and talents that are underutilised and remain out of reach for many businesses.

I know that the Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions. I believe that being Disability Confident is a unique opportunity for employers to lead the way in the community, and employers might just discover someone their business can’t do without. It was developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to make it rigorous but easily accessible – particularly for smaller businesses.”

If any employers across the Black Country are interested in finding our more about Disability Confident then please email [email protected] or contact your local Jobcentre.

For more information about Disability Confident, go to www.gov.uk/dwp/disabilityconfident

February 2017