16 May
Briefing on 'Disability 2020: Opportunities for the full and equal citizenship of disabled people in Britain in 2020'. Report written and published by IPPR for the DRC. Published March 2007.
Background
- This report looks at opportunities for disabled people to exercise "full and equal citizenship" now and in 2020.
- Employment, health and housing comprise the three key elements of exercising citizenship for the purposes of this report.
- Therefore all statistics refer to 2005 figures.
Key issues in the report
- The section on employment concentrates on the benefits system in 2020. DWP predict that expenditure on improving rights and opportunities for disabled people will decrease from 2.5% of GDP in 2004/05 to 2.2% in 2019/20.
- The report acknowledges that high levels of worklessness among disabled people have existed even during periods of economic prosperity.
- Low qualifications among disabled people are the key barrier to employment.
- There are likely to be more children with a disability in 2020, particularly with mental health problems and complex disabilities. At the same time there will be a reduction in public expenditure on health. The result will be that disabled children will receive a higher proportion of care from their parents. These parents will need employers to provide flexibility in working hours if this need for care is not to present a barrier to employment.
- There is a recommendation that local and national government need to be more proactive in engaging directly with disabled people. This process has started with the Disability Equality Duty on public sector organisations, and government should share learning about engaging disabled people among employers as the DED evolves.
- Much of the report is about demographic change. The challenge in 2020 is portrayed as one of 'more disabled people, and older disabled people'. Employers will be best placed to meet the challenge of demographic change by mainstreaming disability in policies and procedures now.
- The report states 6 priorities:
- Develop needs-led public services to promote independent living;
- Promote opportunities for social and civic participation by disabled people;
- Promote employment opportunities for disabled people;
- Boost efforts to tackle health inequalities;
- Promote better understanding of disability;
- Identify and allocate the necessary resources to implement the above.
- None of this mentions the position of the employer. Removing barriers to employment for disabled people will not only improve their economic situation, it will also provide health benefits (working is good for your health), social participation (increased self-confidence), and understanding (non-disabled people working alongside disabled people)
Notable projected statistics in the report
All these statistics are projections and should be treated as such.
- By 2020, the total number of children in the UK will have dropped to 10.8 million, yet the proportion who are disabled will have increased. There may be over 1.25 million children reporting a disability by 2029.
- WHO predict that depression will be the leading cause of disability by 2020.
- By 2020, Part M of the Building Regulations will have applied to new dwellings for 20 years. Despite this, only 12% of the UK housing stock will comply with Part M by 2020.
Ends
Notes to Editors
For further information on the Employers' Forum on Disability contact the Forum press office
Michael DenhamEmployers' Forum on Disability press office
Telephone: 020 7403 3020
Email: michael.denham@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk
The Employers' Forum on Disability
Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business in the workplace. With over 400 members, EFD represents organisations that employ circa 25 per cent of the UK workforce.
EFD is recognised as the authoritative voice on disability as it affects employers and service providers.
Since its establishment in 1986 EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.