Policy
REC and DWP Launch the Disability Confident Recruitment Month
Government and campaigns
This week the REC hosted the launch of the latest phase of the government’s Disability Confident scheme, focusing on barriers for disabled applicants at different stages of the recruitment process. This was a great platform for showcasing the role that REC members can play by working with clients to dismantle these latent barriers and to underline our industry’s commitment to making change happen on the disability agenda.
Commenting ahead of the meeting Sarah Newton, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work had underlined the fact that “employers need to recognise that an inaccessible recruitment process may be blocking them from finding talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds”. This is why recruitment was chosen as the latest theme within the Disability Confident scheme. Below are some of the key messages from the launch event.
· Driving good recruitment is key - Despite progress in recent years, barriers for people with disabilities exist throughout the labour market including at the recruitment stage. These challenges can range from bias to poor flexible working options to difficulties accessing workplaces. A different, more inclusive approach to recruitment is needed as promoted by our Good Recruitment Campaign and Future of Jobs report.
· Practical tools will boost further change - The aim is to provide employers and recruiters with tools to make their hiring processes more inclusive for people with disabilities. The current focus on the recruitment process will provide those that have already signed-up to the scheme access to specialist information and good practice so that they can progress to Disability Confident Leader status. This support includes workshops, webinars, toolkits, blogs, and videos. The programme also aims to encourage more employers and recruiters to sign up and start their Disability Confident journey.
· Britain’s got disabled talent – While Britain still has a long way to go when it comes to closing the disability employment gap, the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent competition shows that perceptions are changing for the better. Lee Ridley who has cerebral palsy and can’t speak topped the audience vote with his comedy act. Attendees took encouragement from this and the signal this sends to disabled people and to employers.
· We need more input from disabled people - The importance of getting feedback from disabled people, particularly those who are working for Disability Confident employers was highlighted. Getting feedback can help improve the scheme and also testimonials can help highlight the benefits of Disability Confident to employers and recruiters.
· Websites need to become more accessible - The role of websites and technology was discussed and highlighted as a barrier that organisations need to address. Having an inaccessible website puts organisations at risk of missing out on disabled consumers and candidates. The retailer Dunelm’s website was highlighted as an example of good practice.
Looking ahead the priorities for REC include sharing examples of good practice and showcasing practical examples of how recruiters are making things happen on the ground. The fact that recruitment was chosen by government as the latest theme within the Disability Confident initiative underlines recognition for the role our industry is playing in driving the disability and wider inclusion agenda.
To sign up to Disability Confident please click here.
If you’d like to highlight what you’re doing to promote disability employment, please get in touch.
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