The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has granted DWF the highest level of recognition in a scheme that encourages employers to recruit, retain and develop people with disabilities. The Disability Confident scheme is a Government-led initiative that supports employers in developing recruitment policies and tools that reduce barriers to employment for disabled people. In the UK, 7.6 million working-age people have a disability. Supported by the DWP, Disability Confident (DC) is a voluntary scheme developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives. It encourages employers to improve how they recruit, retain and develop people with disabilities.
By helping organisations increase their understanding of disabilities and long-term health conditions, and challenging attitudes and understanding of disabilities and accommodations in the workplace, the scheme aims to close the disability employment gap and help businesses become more confident in employing and retaining disabled people.
Over 18,000 organisations have signed up to the scheme, which has a three-tier accreditation system reflecting how far each organisation is in developing their inclusive practices.
Chris Stefani & Daniel Pollick Executive Sponsors of Disability at DWF said: 'Maintaining our Disability Confident Leader status for another three years demonstrates our ongoing commitment to recruit from the widest talent pool and enabling disabled talent thrive at work. Over the past few years, we have championed this initiative within our local and business community, supply chain and networks to help them become Disability Confident too.'
