Thread by @Flexa_careers

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶̶𝗻̶𝗰̶𝗹̶𝘂̶𝘀̶𝗶̶𝗼̶𝗻̶ 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲: a deeply disappointing thread 👇

First, let's set the scene with a couple of key facts:

👉 In the UK alone, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people have a disability

👉 80% of those people have an invisible disability

👉 The UK workforce contains over 4.4m disabled people

Okay, now onto the bad stuff👇

#DYK that almost half of disabled people in the UK are unemployed?

By December of 2021, the percentage of disabled people who are either unemployed or economically inactive had risen to 47.7%

- @ONS

Currently, the disability employment gap is 29%.

Disabled people are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people, and 3 times as likely to be economically inactive.

- @scope

Sadly, 30% said that they felt they were not taken seriously as a candidate, as a result of their disability.

Even more disappointingly, 17% of disabled adults report having a job offer withdrawn as a result of their condition.

- @BBC Equality Matters / @LeonardCheshire

To make matters worse, 38% of employers said that ensuring the application process is accessible to people of all disabilities is a barrier to employing them.

- @LeonardCheshire

But even employment brings its own set of challenges.

Disabled people are more likely to earn less than non-disabled workers.

On average, disabled people earn 15% less a year than non-disabled workers, equivalent to £1.50 less for every hour they work.

- @LeonardCheshire

Less than 4% of disabled workers feel comfortable disclosing their disability to their employer.

In fact, 45% choose to hide their disability due to the fear of being judged, with 43% believing it'd stall their career progression or impact a promotion.

- @Coqual_ / @SamsungUK

Understandable, when 40% of disabled employees say they felt less valued by their colleagues after their disability became known.

And let's not forget the 34% who reported being negatively stereotyped by their coworkers.

- @SamsungUK

Which isn't all that surprising once you learn that 45% of people admit they're uncomfortable even using the word ‘disabled’ or ‘disability'.

It's no wonder that 38% of the nation have highlighted a need for more education on the correct way to talk about disability.

- @SamsungUK

But employers aren't the only ones who need to do better...

In January, the Government’s National Disability Strategy was ruled illegal by the High Court, who stated that @UKParliament had "failed to properly consult disabled people".

Out of 114 questions in the consultation, only three asked about disabled people’s experiences at work.

If they had properly consulted disabled people, they'd have learnt that 31% feel they are not at all supported by their employer, with just 23% receiving Access to Work support in their current or a previous role.

- @SamsungUK

32% face daily issues with general accessibility (such as stairs or space requirements).

29% claim they struggle to even get into their office building, and 30% report a complete lack of bathroom access and / or availability.

- @SamsungUK

Plus, 70% of people with disabilities feel that their workplace could do more to provide tech that enables greater accessibility.

- @SamsungUK

However, a @unisontheunion survey of over 5,000 disabled members (undertaken before the pandemic) found that a shocking 67% had had some, or all, of the adjustments they needed refused.

Many claim they didn’t even get a response to their request, but were simply ignored.

Those who did have their adjustments approved, sadly, weren't much better off.

23% of @unisontheunion members said they waited a year or more for them to be put in place.

Of 150 Managers polled by @PearnKandola, only 48% said they're confident supporting a worker with a mental health condition

for physical / mobility conditions, that number drops to 44%

hearing impairments, 39%

learning difficulties, 34%

and speech / language impairments, 32%

In relation, wider research by @LeonardCheshire revealed that 24% of employers would be less likely to employ someone with a disability, with 60% of those people saying they'd be concerned that the person would struggle to do the job.

66% of employers say the cost of workplace adjustments are a barrier to employing a disabled person.

This is despite the average cost of reasonable adjustments (per individual) being just £75.

- @PeopleBusiness1

Given the data, it's highly likely that you work with or employ someone who lives with a disability.

Disability inclusion has never been more crucial.

So, how can you make a difference? 👇

Start by joining our free webinar: crowdcast.io/e/disabilities…

#DEI #event #HR #culture

This insightful session will be packed full of inspiring anecdotes, useful advice, and tips on how to successfully foster #disabilityinclusion at work.

Sign up to watch live or on demand here: crowdcast.io/e/disabilities…

#futureofwork #DisabilityTwitter #LearningDisabilityWeek2022

What are your views on #disabilityinclusion?

Are you a person with a disability who experienced unfair treatment in the workplace?

Do you have advice for jobseekers living with a disability?

Tweet us your thoughts and experiences 🎙️

#disablednotdisposable #invisibleillness

Read @LeonardCheshire's full report, "Reimagining the
workplace: disability and inclusive employment", here: leonardcheshire.org/sites/default/…