20 August 2006
Employers' Forum on Disability marks 15th anniversary
The world's leading employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business has been praised by the Minister for Disabled People as it marks its 15th year.
Anne McGuire said the Employers' Forum on Disability, launched in 1991 by the Prince of Wales, had: “successfully made the economic case for adopting good working practices and promoting the belief that disability should be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden.”
She also praised the Forum's work saying that it had been successful in “bringing together the view of employers and intermediaries with the needs of jobseekers”, and that it had provided the Department of Work and Pensions with: “an employers' view on how we might encourage and support businesses to recruit and retain disabled people.”
The Forum acquired charitable status in 1991, joined by 12 founders including Barclays, the BBC, Esso, BT, Wellcome and the Midland Bank (now HSBC).
It is now funded and led by around 400 private and public sector members, including 43 Gold Card core funders, which employ around 20 per cent of the population.
Susan Scott-Parker OBE, who has been Forum chief executive since its formation, said: “Our challenge is nothing less than to change the way business and key stakeholders see the world – and the role of disabled people.”
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Notes
The Employers' Forum on Disability is the authoritative voice on disability as it affects business.
The Forum has circa 400 members, who employ around 20 per cent of the UK's workforce.
A member of the Employers' Forum on Disability, or one of the Forum's associates is available for interview.
Issy RuleEmployers' Forum on Disability press office
Telephone: 020 7089 2481
Mobile: 07754 522 521
Email: issy.rule@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk
The Employers' Forum on Disability is a company limited by guarantee with charitable objectives. Registered charity no: 1018463