According to the latest ONS data, there are 10.4 million disabled people across England and Wales, 1 in 5 of the population. Stigma, discrimination, and damaging stereotypes still exist within the workplace, harming the careers of disabled employees, and their mental health. Our own research shows that 79% of employees believe promoting social understanding of all disabilities is the most effective action to improve the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace.

Through vicarious liability, employers have a duty of care to their disabled employees to stamp out discrimination and create a culture that supports them.

The UK Government is committed to combating discrimination and ensuring disabled persons have equal rights and opportunities. Alongside signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and passing the Equality Act 2010, it set out a National Disability Strategy in 2021. Although praised for recognising the challenges that disabled people face, it was ruled unlawful by the High Court and received a mixed reaction from disabled charities. A New Disability Action Plan, due to be published later this year, will set out “practical action ministers across government will take over the next two years to improve disabled people’s lives,” addressing some of the strategy's flaws.

In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced further work to strengthen disability inclusion. The Health and Disability White Paper looks to help more disabled people start, stay and succeed in work, by investing in employment support and changing the benefits system.

Join us at our annual Disability Inclusion in the Workplace 2023 conference to hear about the latest government policy on disability inclusion, good practices from experts across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and case study examples of innovation and improvement.

This conference will showcase how to better support the diverse needs of the modern workforce, how to remove the barriers facing people with impairments in the workplace and how more inclusive policies, practises and initiatives can increase organisational productivity, boost staff engagement and support staff wellbeing.