Business should recognise talent - not disability

25 May 2005

Employers are being urged to 'redouble their efforts' to recruit the talent and skill which Britain's disabled people have to offer.

Anne McGuire, speaking in her first speech as Minister for Disabled People, insisted that the Government had 'paved the way' with equality legislation.

But she argued that the time had come for industry and Government to pool their efforts to end a 'legacy of exclusion' from the workplace for disabled people.

She said:

"Many employers are already realising that they need to recognise talent - not disability - when they see it.

"It's about harnessing and developing that talent. It's about liberating disabled people from the prejudices and misconceptions that have held them back for so long."

Currently 50 per cent of the UK's disabled people are in work but their income is on average less than half than that of their able-bodied counterparts.

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit recently published a 20-year plan - Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People - with recommendations of improving independent living, employment and family support.

Extra information

• Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People
• Find out more about the work of the Department of Work and Pensions

Useful websites

• Department of Work and Pensions (opens in new window)