Employers' Forum on Disability marks 15th anniversary

29th August 2006

The world's leading employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business has been praised by the Minister for Disabled People as it marks its 15^th year.

Anne McGuire said Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD), launched in 1991 by the Prince of Wales, had: "successfully made the economic case for adopting good working practices and promoting the belief that disability should be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden."

She also praised EFD's work saying that it had been successful in "bringing together the view of employers and intermediaries with the needs of jobseekers", and that it had provided the Department of Work and Pensions with: "an employers' view on how we might encourage and support businesses to recruit and retain disabled people."

EFD acquired charitable status in 1991, joined by 12 founders including Barclays, the BBC, Esso, BT, Wellcome and the Midland Bank (now HSBC).

It is now funded and led by around 400 private and public sector members, including 43 core funders, which together employ around 20 per cent of the population.

Susan Scott-Parker OBE, who has been EFD chief executive since its formation, said: "Our challenge is nothing less than to change the way business and key stakeholders see the world - and the role of disabled people."

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk