Tackling the disability employment gap

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Disability invites written submissions, addressing any of the following questions and themes, to inform its inquiry into how the Government can fulfil its pledge to halve the disability employment gap.

Deadline for submissions: 4^th July 2016

Business networks

What does an effective and inclusive business network look like? To what extent do disabled people participate in business networks? How can disabled people be supported to participate, exchange their skills, and support one another to work or start businesses? What external support is required to facilitate this?

Self-employment

More disabled people than non-disabled people are self-employed. What are the reasons for this? How do self-employment outcomes for disabled people compare with those for non-disabled people? What businesses have they started? Which ones are growing and why? What further support would make a difference to their viability and the disabled person’s quality of life? Which kinds of assistive technology facilitate work?

Research and development grants

To what extent do disabled people benefit from research and development grants? Are applicants and recipients monitored by disability status? What is the experience of disabled people in applying for and using these grants?

Procurement

What is the scope for ethical and responsible procurement policies to create jobs for disabled people?

Growth sectors

What are the future growth sectors of the economy? What is the relative distribution of disabled employees in these sectors?  What tailored policies would be required to increase disabled people’s employment in these sectors?

Organisational polices

Which workplace policies and practices (for example targeted recruitment, flexible working arrangements, specialist union representation) support successful employment for disabled people?

Please submit written responses electronically to:[email protected] by Monday 4^th July 2016. Evidence is invited from disabled people, their family and carers, their medical and healthcare teams, employers and employees, from local grassroots organisations to national companies, and everyone in between! Please post, tweet, and share the link to this page.

Guidance on written submissions to Select Committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups is identical: http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/take-part-in-committee-inquiries/commons-witness-guide/

VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.