Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the gap in employment between working-age people with and without disabilities is closing.
In 2013, 43.4% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared with 77.6% of non-disabled people, representing a gap of 34.2%.
By 2019 however, the gap fell to 28.6%, with 53.2% of working-age disabled people in employment, compared to 81.8% of non-disabled people.
Unemployment among people with disabilities has roughly halved over this period, however it is still double the unemployment rate among people without disabilities.
Tom Hadley, Director of Policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, commented on the latest findings, “The employment gap falling over the last six years is good news. It shows that employers are moving from good intentions to making a tangible difference on the disability and wider inclusion agenda.”
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Email JaimeHadley added, “There is still a lot more work needed, and ample opportunity, to close the gap further. Initiatives like the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) and the REC’s Good Recruitment Campaign, supported by nearly 500 businesses, are leading the way in breaking down the barriers that people with disabilities face entering and thriving in the world of work.
“Showing businesses practical examples of what works to encourage inclusive recruitment is the right way forward. Recruitment professionals have a pivotal role to play here. Ninety per cent of businesses say that what they are looking for from an external recruitment provider is access to expertise”.
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