He warned that while disabled people now have legal protection
against discriminating employers it can still be extremely
difficult for them to find work in the first place.
The position is improving: 46% of people with disabilities are
now employed, compared with only 38% seven years ago. But compared
to non-disabled people, three quarters of whom are in work, there
is still a long way to go.
In addition, wages are lower for the disabled, and they are
often passed over for promotion or training, said O'Grady.
He warned:
"New disability legislation has put the onus on local councils
and health authorities who now have a duty to do all they can to
promote equality towards disabled people and prevent harassment and
discrimination whenever it occurs. If the same legal duty were also
to apply to private sector firms, discriminating bosses would find
themselves with nowhere to hide."
Work and Pensions Minister Anne McGuire added:
"Britain's 10 million disabled people have had to endure a
legacy of exclusion, inside and outside of the workplace. We have
brought in legislation to help end this, but legislation can only
go so far. Employers need to wake up and recognise talent – not
disability – when they see it."
The comments come in the wake of a drive by the DRC to destroy the myths
surrounding disabled workers.
Supported by the Federation of Small Businesses, the
DRC
is focusing on debunking five common myths:
- "Disabled people can't work and don't want to work" – There are
3.4 million disabled people, including those with long-term health
conditions, already working in this country, says the
DRC
. Another one million are currently out of work but
want a job.
- "Most disabled people are in wheelchairs and we can't cope with
them in our workplace or fit them into the sort of work we do" –
According to the DRC, thinking that all disabled people use
wheelchairs is the equivalent of thinking that all football fans
are Chelsea supporters. Wheelchair users make up only about 5% of
disabled people. Many people face barriers at work that can be
overcome by an enlightened attitude, equipment or flexible working.
The Disability Discrimination Act covers people with a wide range
of conditions including arthritis, depression, diabetes, dyslexia
and chronic heart disease.
- "Disabled employees costs more money" – Some businesses think
it costs more to employ disabled people when in fact two thirds of
companies employing disabled people say they incurred no extra
costs and of the third that do, the average cost for a small
employer is £76, says the
DRC
.
- "Big companies can afford to take on disabled staff, but I run
a small business and I can't afford the time or effort it will
take" – Not so, says the
DRC
. There are more than half
a million (or 600,000) disabled workers, including people with
long-term health conditions, currently working for successful,
solvent small businesses. Avoid disabled staff and you miss out on
talent, skills, experience and commitment.
- "Disabled people take more sick-leave than non-disabled
employees and are less productive" – There is no evidence to
suggest that all disabled people are less productive than
non-disabled people and plenty of disabled people have exemplary
attendance records, according to the
DRC
.
"Smart businesses realise that providing support to workers
makes good business sense," said Bert Massie, Chairman of the
DRC
. "It also makes sense, cost wise to make small
improvements that have minimal outlay rather than incur the
increased expense of redundancy and recruitment."
A survey of 1,000 small employers carried out by the DRC found
that 85% of respondents would be flexible about making changes to
working conditions for employees with the right skills and
enthusiasm.
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