Council to host webinar on workplace inclusion

The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) have announced that they have arranged a webinar to talk about workplace inclusion.

The webinar will focus on the Disability Confident Scheme, as well as reasonable adjustments, support from the Council and Access to Work, the Government’s funding scheme for inclusive employment.

Tom Dixon, Solihull Council’s Employment & Skills Delivery manager will share the team’s support for residents, and how your business can get involved.

Disability and employment are a complex issue shaped by systemic challenges, societal attitudes, and evolving policy frameworks. Despite efforts to foster inclusivity, people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing and retaining meaningful employment. 

Disabled people continue to face significant barriers in accessing and retaining meaningful employment although the number of working disabled people in the UK has been increasing gradually.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in 2023, the disability employment gap—the difference between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people—remained around 28 per cent. This statistic shows that there is an untapped pool of talent that businesses may be missing out as disabled people are often very innovative and creative as they live in a world that may not always be accessible for them, but they always manage to make it work. This way of thinking is greatly beneficial in the working environment, as they bring a broad range of skills and talents into the workplace and make your services or products more inclusive.  

Inclusive workplace practices are key to bridging the disability employment gap. Employers can adopt proactive strategies, such as offering flexible working arrangements, providing training on disability awareness, and ensuring robust anti-discrimination policies. Recruitment processes can be adapted to focus on abilities rather than disabilities, with transparent hiring criteria that remove unnecessary barriers.

The Disability Resource Centre is working to support businesses, both locally and nationally, with disability equality training, and support to join the Disability Confident Scheme. This webinar aims to raise awareness across Solihull, and the wider West Midlands, of the support that is available to businesses. By attending the webinar, you will learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme as well as the support that is available to help you become an inclusive employer.

The webinar will be on Wednesday 4  December, at 1pm, via Teams. To book your free place, click here.

Not able to attend the webinar? The DRC are holding an in-person event at Blythe Valley Innovation Centre on Thursday 16 January. To register for the event, click here.

For more information on the support the DRC offers to businesses, contact Laura-May Jennings – ljennings@disability.co.uk. For more information about the support from Solihull Council’s Employment & Skills team, email employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.