Introduction to Employment 

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In this section we have information about employment for Disabled People.

Only 49 per cent of Disabled People of working age are in employment. Disabled People are, on average, twice as likely to be unemployed as non-Disabled People. Around half of all unemployed people who said they would like to work, have impairments. This means that there are around 1.02million Disabled People wanting employment.

There is a general lack of understanding about the needs of Disabled People in the workplace. Employers worry about how they might cope in the organisation and what problems or disruption they might bring to the organisation.  

A survey of Disabled People found that:

  • when they were last looking for work, Disabled People made an average of two and half times as many job applications as non-Disabled People and yet got fewer job offers;

  • 82% felt that fear of the unknown, i.e. the fact that most employers don't know a Disabled Person and haven't worked with someone before, prevents employers taking them on as employees;

  • 78% thought that the assumption that Disabled People need more support from their colleagues and managers prevents employers employing Disabled People;

  • 37% thought that negative staff attitudes were a barrier to finding employment;

  • 86% said that poor physical access in the workplace is a barrier to getting employment; and

  • 74% thought inaccessible public transport is a barrier to getting work.  Only 20% of employers agreed that this was a problem suggesting there is a significant lack of awareness of the access barriers Disabled People face daily.

Click on the following links for more statistics on Disabled People and employment.

Disability and employment statistics - The Shaw Trust,
Disabled people in public sector employment,1998 to 2004 - National Statistics Office,
Study on young Disabled People and employment - The Joseph Rowntree Foundation,
The education and employment of young Disabled People - London School of Economics and Political Science,
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To help you find a job, or where you can find advice and assistance we have created a list of job sites and useful information sites, see our Find a Job page.

For information on how the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) affects the Rights of Disabled People in Employment see our DDA - Employment

For information of the Government "Access to Work Scheme",see our Access to Work page.

For information on what training options are available to you see our Training

When looking for jobs it is useful to look for The Disability Symbol, as this indicates that an employer has signed up to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.

Positive about disabled people logo

Click here to find out more about The Disability Symbol.