Report reveals employers are fearful of recruiting disabled people

Employers' ignorance, fear and prejudice are some of the main reasons why disabled people are five times more likely to be unemployed than others, according to a report by national disability organisation Scope.

Ready, Willing and Disabled is a survey of the attitudes towards disabled people of 1,000 employers, employees and disabled people themselves. It found that employers demonstrate a lack of awareness of disabled people and the barriers they face. 40 percent don't know whether their buildings are physically accessible and 45 percent say they wouldn't be able to employ a disabled person because they couldn't afford it. In addition, 82 percent of disabled people felt that fear of the unknown prevented employers taking on disabled people.

Scope is using the report to call for more action from businesses towards achieving equality for disabled people at work. Greater recognition of the Access to Work Scheme would do much to reduce employers' fears as would the implementation of disability equality training for all managers and staff. Getting an access audit of company buildings would let employers know what adjustments they need to make to ensure they are more attractive to disabled applicants.

Ruth Scott, Campaigns Manager, Scope says:
'This report is different as previously the emphasis has always been on what disabled people need to do to make themselves more attractive to employers. We are

concentrating on what employers have to put in to get more disabled people into work. Employers and employees need to assess their own attitudes and actions and work out how they may be contributing to the barriers disabled people come up against.'

Andrew Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions says:
'With about 6.8 million disabled people of working age in Great Britain, almost a fifth of the working age population, companies cannot afford to ignore the issues Scope's report raises. By discounting such a large number of the population, companies and businesses are missing out on the vital skills and talents disabled people have to offer.'

Ray Cutt, B&Q HR Director says:

Our people are our most important asset and our aim is to employ great people. This means recognising the talents of everyone and understanding how they can serve our customers. We believe the Scope report provides the evidence to show that a diverse workforce is more likely to result in a mix of talents needed for a successful company.

To accompany the report, Scope is also running a poster campaign which aims to further highlight the problems disabled people face in finding work. In addition, Scope is releasing new figures on the number of disabled people who work for the organisation. To obtain a copy of the report, poster or new figures, please contact Scope Press Office 020 7619 7200. If you would like to find out more about the report and Scope's campaigning work in employment please visit our website