Businesses and Charities across Shipley attended an event organised by an MP to learn how they can help more disabled people into work.
The Disability Confident event organised sponsored by Barclays Bank and hosted by Shipley MP Philip Davies saw dozens of people come and learn from other companies in the area who have experience in working with disabled employees.
Government want to see an additional 1 million disabled people in work by 2027 and its free employer membership scheme Disability Confident supports local employers attract, recruit and develop the talents of disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
Mr Davies said: “The event was a huge success and I was thrilled so many people came along to learn what help is available to employers to get more disabled people into work. It is important to dispel myths that disabled people or those with long term health conditions cost more money or take more time off work. Until we change attitudes employers are missing out on a valuable pool of potential skills.
“As somebody who employs someone with disabilities myself, I wanted to organise this event to encourage a debate on disability employment within the business community, through sharing ideas and ways of working. I had good feedback from businesses and I am sure we can all work together to create and sustain employment opportunities for disabled people. Not only is it good for businesses to take on highly qualified people it is good for people looking for employment but who previously may have been held back due to circumstances.”
Mr Davies, along with representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre staff and Barclays Bank gave presentations at the event on Friday in Baildon. Ten different stalls were manned to answer any questions employers had, including how to access Government funding grants to help disabled employees.
According to research 73 per cent of employers who made work-related adjustments said it was easy to do so.
Mr Davies added: “Having spoken to as many people at the event as I could I am confident that businesses left the event focussed on making the most of talent that exists among disabled people and those with health conditions across the area.”