From today, the Department for Work and Pensions has launched a series of conferences across the country aimed at showcasing the talents of the 6.9 million disabled people of working-age in Great Britain and highlighting their huge value to the British economy.
Falklands veteran Simon Weston is among those speaking at the 7 conferences, which stretch from Cardiff to Glasgow, and are designed to increase confidence among employers to recruit and retain the 3.6 million disabled people currently not in work.
The first event takes place today in Birmingham, fronted by 2012 Paralympics Gold Medallist Sophie Christiansen and hosted by KPMG. Delegates include:
- Santander
- Greggs
- Sainsbury’s
- Boots
- E.ON
- Carillion
The conferences are part of the Disability Confident campaign launched by the Prime Minister in July, when he told 300 business leaders of FTSE 100 companies and SMEs that it is time to dispel the myths about the complexities of employing disabled people.
For more information see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/national-drive-to-boost-disability-employment-first-ever-disability-confident-roadshow-tours-britain