EFD welcomes welfare reform plans - and calls for support to reach disabled people

10th December 2008

Employers' Forum on Disability today (10 December) broadly welcomed the government's plans for welfare reform, and called for the right support for employers and jobseekers to help realise the talents of disabled people.

The White Paper, ‘Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future', aims to help people on benefits to return to work.

EFD's Chief Executive Susan Scott-Parker said: "We welcome the intentions of the government's plans, and are pleased to see that three of our concerns are mentioned in the white paper.

"Disabled jobseekers have a responsibility to take steps towards getting a job, but training and support must be provided through disability competent services. For example, back-to-work training needs to be delivered using IT systems that are accessible for people with visual impairments.

"Welfare reform cannot lead to sanctions on disabled people for not doing ‘work related activity' if it is not accessible. Disabled people could be labelled ‘unable to work' - not because of their disability, but because of barriers to training and employment opportunities.

"Employers also need to understand the business case for hiring employees with disabilities. Around 900,000 disabled people in the UK want to work but have limited access to the labour market.

"In these challenging economic times, it is more important than ever for employers to have access to the widest talent pool possible when recruiting staff. Back-to-work services for disabled people need to act as a channel to help employers reach this talent pool."

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