Top 10 Disability Employers 2017

10. Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley know that people are affected by disability in different ways or may just be interested to learn about different aspects of disability and how it might affect people and business. Morgan Stanley have inclusive features such as The Morgan Stanley disABILITY Taskforce. The disABILITY Taskforce is committed to creating a more positive, inclusive and disability confident workplace. It's objectives include promoting the values and empowerment of people with a disability. Morgan Stanley is also a Gold Member of the Business Disability Forum and the Investment Banking Accessibility Group (IBAG). 

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Morgan Stanley click here. 

9. University of the West of England (UWE)

UWE have work initiatives in place to support their staff and are in direct partnership with the Business Disability Forum who build disability-smart organisations to improve business performance by increasing confidence, accessibility, productivity and profitability. UWE also support their Disabled Staff Network by inviting representatives of staff networks to the Equality and Diversity Forum, listening constructively to any employee concerns raised through the staff networks, taking part in initiatives developed by the staff networks and providing funding for activities, events and training.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at UWE click here.

8. Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group are recognised as a leading employer by the Business Disability Forum, retaining their Gold Standard Benchmark and running a ground-breaking Workplace Adjustment programme that has supported over 18,000 colleagues to date.

They work closely with Remploy to provide a work experience programme for people with disabilities, and are a proud partner of the Power 100 2017, which celebrates Britain's most inspiring and influential disabled people as role models for others. 

Lloyds Banking Group work in partnership with the Business Disability Forum.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Lloyds Banking Group click here.

 7. Devon and Cornwall Housing (DCH)

DCH has been awarded an Employer Of The Year award from Pluss as part of their Disability Confident campaign. Pluss is a social enterprise that supports thousands of people with disabilities into employment.

DCH also offer inclusive features such as well-being and work in partnership with Disability Confident.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at DCH click here.

6. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

The Diversity and Inclusion team at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has recently launched a new campaign called ‘Becoming Disability Confident’. Part of the campaign is to make sure that disabled colleagues are fully supported and empowered by disability confident leaders and managers.

DVLA have been acredited with a Disability Confident award and work in partnership with Disability Confident themselves.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at DVLA click here.

 5. Bank of England (BoE)

The Disability Network at Bank of England meets regularly to discuss all disability related matters. These could include making workplace adjustments, encouraging disability disclosure, raising and maintaining disability awareness in the Bank, improving accessibility, dealing with any potential discrimination, career development, personal safety, and recruitment and induction processes. BoE also work in partnership with the Business Disability Forum and Disability Confident.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Bank of England click here.

 4. Mitie 

Mitie set up their Enable network to increase awareness of disability-related matters across the business. The network also provides advice and support to employees and line managers at Mitie. In endorsing the equality aims of the group Enable is dedicated to communication, training and research.

With partnerships including the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and their own independent charity, The Mitie Foundation, Mitie have long been at the forefront when it comes to recruiting and developing the right mix of people. 

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Mitie click here.

 3. Essex County Council (ECC)

ECC hold their Disabled Employees Network Group meetings every two months. The council recognises the importance of this group and allows employees who are not located at a site near to where the meetings are taking place reasonable time off with pay to attend group meetings.

Earlier in the year ECC reached Disability Confident level 3 and hosted a Disability Confident Lunch and Networking Event.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at ECC click here.

 2. Network Rail 

Network Rail achieved Level 3 Status in September 2017.  By becoming a Disability Confident leader, they gained recognition among peers organisations. Network Rail act as a champion within their local and business community, their supply chain and networks. We aim to show disabled people that we are serious about leading the way and about helping other businesses to become Disability Confident.

Network Rail also commit to creating an inclusive environment through the employee network known as CanDo. It brings together people with disabilities and anyone who wishes to support an inclusive environment. This employee network promotes the valuable contribution that those with disabilities make within the business and the wider rail industry; helping to remove barriers and, break down stereotypes and prejudices. Members are encouraged to use CanDo as a platform to raise concerns, highlight best practice and promote diversity to Network Rail colleagues. 

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at Network Rail click here.

1. Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) 

BEIS are committed to making their workplaces accessible and will assist any employee with their disability, long-term health conditions and will make reasonable adjustments. These adjustments may include physical changes to the workplace, e.g. rearrange desks so a wheelchair user can get around the office more easily, modify or provide equipment such as voice recognition software, specialist chairs or desk aids, provide services such as a sign language interpreter or support worker, reallocate tasks to other members of staff, and/or change assessment procedures to make sure colleagues with disabilities are not put at unfair disadvantage, e.g. someone with dyslexia may need longer to complete a timed written test.

BEIS have also reached Disability Confident Leader, level 3 and work in partnership with the Business Disability Forum.

To find out more about diversity and inclusion at BEIS click here.