Regular readers will remember that we recently launched our employment initiative, Be the Difference, with the specific aim of helping more disabled people find employment.
Having launched in July, we’ve now completed the first phase, which was to launch the initiative, getting everything in place by signing up partners and publicising our vision through Able Magazine and its online and social media platforms – as well as with help from our partners.
We want to match employers with vacancies and disabled people through the initiative.
Many disabled people remain frustrated and disenfranchised at the seeming lack of opportunity for them in the workplace. ‘Be the Difference’ is an attempt to make a real change, working towards closing the gap.
The next move is to reach out to like-minded employers to join ‘Be the Difference’ giving them the opportunity to post jobs, share case studies and the latest news stories with Able Magazine readers to raise awareness of employers, specifically looking to employ disabled people.
The main aim of ‘Be the Difference’ is to assist in matching disabled people with suitable, inclusive employers.
Support and advice
Disabled people that get in touch with Able Magazine will be signposted towards the most appropriate support organisations and employers. Able Magazine will make it easier for disabled people to not only find the support they need but also to make direct contact with the people who are striving to make their businesses or organisations more inclusive.
Able Magazine is the ideal forum to discuss disability-specific recruitment opportunities. They are encouraging businesses to be proactive in tackling what amounts to a recruitment crisis among disabled people by engaging with them via the initiative.
Able Magazine is positive about disability and has always been about ‘What disabled people can do, not what they can’t. Be the Difference is an opportunity for us to make real change and is a challenge to other businesses and organisations to do likewise.
The Be the Difference initiative has already attracted some great partners…
DEAF – Deafness Equality Acceptance Foundation
Provide training and insight to businesses and other organisations to
promote understanding of hearing loss and the lives of deaf people.
Exceptional Individuals
The first employment partnership for dyslexic people aims to change attitudes among employers about dyslexia.
www.exceptionalindividuals.com
The Samee Project
Set up to help people make informed decisions about their lives. They offer an employment centre, advice and support, as well as training and skills development for people who want to be entrepreneurs.
The Ability People (TAP)
TAP is a recruitment agency focused on delivering bespoke, tailored solutions that work for both professionals and businesses. Their unique internal staffing model leverages the talents and life experience of disabled people.
Mencap
Mencap’s vision is a future where people with a learning disability receive the right support to access and stay in employment. They want to help employers understand that people with learning disabilities make good workers when supported properly.
ERSA (The Employment Related Services Association)
ERSA is the membership body for the employment support sector. They campaign for and support the delivery of better services for the nation’s job seekers and learners.
Derwen College
Derwen College works with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, providing inspirational learning, development and care to enable the achievement of aspirations which transform lives.
Team Domenica
A social enterprise with a vision for people with learning disabilities to be valued in the workplace, to reach their full potential and feel included.
Outside the Box Cafe
A registered charity that is committed to community action and to supporting people who have a learning disability to achieve their goals and potential.
Step and Stone
The Bristol-based bakery work with young people with learning disabilities, helping to develop their skills and confidence so they can eventually fi nd employment in mainstream catering.
Genius Within
The organisation uses innovative design, research and campaigning alongside direct client work to develop talent and achieve success for people with hidden disabilities, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, mental health issues and conditions such as MS.
Evenbreak
An award-winning social enterprise run by and for disabled people. Disabled jobseekers can find jobs with inclusive employers on their specialist job board.
The Challenge
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, 80.6 % of able bodied people are employed, next to a meagre 38.2% of disabled people (aged 16 – 24) and 56.4% (aged 25 – 49). This huge disparity has hardly improved in a decade, despite plenty of promises and initiatives.
We want you!
Able Magazine readers interested in our Be the Difference initiative can register to receive job alerts, employment news and information on our latest registered employers and partners by registering details via: www.ablemagazine.co.uk/bethedifference/ subscribe or email: btd@primasmedia.co.uk or tel: 0141 285 4000.
Any company or organisation looking to become a Be the Difference registered employer should contact: steve@primasmedia.co.uk or tel: 0141 285 4000.
