28 February
The Equalities Review Final Report - Employers' Forum on Disability response
The Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) cautiously welcomes the findings of The Equalities Review Final Report, published today (28 February).
In particular the EFD notes the report's recognition that disabled people make up one of the most disadvantaged groups in Britain and are 30 per cent more likely to be out of work than non-disabled people with the same qualifications.
However, the emphasis of the report is centred on the competing interests of disadvantaged groups, and less on how inequality and discrimination, particularly in the workplace, can be tackled successfully for the benefit of all.
Employers' Forum on Disability Chief Executive Susan Scott-Parker says: “The danger of this report is that it positions equality as a competition for justice.
“With the succession of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) in October, there is also a danger that such competition will lead to the new body being seen, by sections of the media, as a commission for political correctness.
“This will counter the credible work already done by the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality.”
The 174-page report also suggests that the outlook for disabled people is bleak, stating that the 'employment penalty' of having a disability will possibly never disappear if the current rate of progress continues.
Scott-Parker continues: “The CEHR needs to raise the expectations of disabled people and at the same time the needs and expectations of employers need to be met.
“The Employers' Forum on Disability has been working for many years with our members to mobilise employers behind inclusion and help talented disabled people into work.”
Ends
For further information on the Employers' Forum on Disability contact the Forum press office
Issy RuleEmployers' Forum on Disability press office
Telephone: 020 7403 3020
Mobile: 07754 522 521
Email: issy.rule@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk
The Employers' Forum on Disability
The Employers' Forum on Disability is the world's leading employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business. Funded and managed by 400 members, we make it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers.
The Equalities Review Final Report is available on the Commission for Equality and Human Rights' website.