A million disabled people want to work. But too many are shut out by workplaces that fail to see their talent. Disabled people face barriers at every stage of working life. We are underestimated, overlooked, and our rights are denied again and again.
When the Government and employers listen to disabled people, work without barriers becomes possible. Add your name and join the movement towards workplace equality.
Disabled workers move out of work at nearly twice the rate as non disabled workers. Meaning the disability employment gap has remained at around 30 percentage points for over a decade. Disabled people are also more likely to be in part time, low paid and insecure work, with fewer chances to progress. It does not have to be this way.
Not all disabled people can work, and no one should be judged or punished for being out of the workplace. But disabled people who can and want to work should have the opportunity and support to do so.
This campaign is about tackling the barriers that lock disabled people out of work. Not blaming disabled people or treating benefits as the problem.
That is why Scope is calling for action that makes work fairer, more inclusive and more accountable.
2 years ago, the Government said it would make disability pay gap reporting mandatory for all large employers. They have published draft legislation and consulted on this change, but they have not yet delivered on this promise. This is more than a tick box exercise. Pay gap reporting drives action and creates accountability. It would expose inequality, show which employers are serious about inclusion, and help make the workplace fairer for disabled people. Disabled workers earn, on average, £2.24 less an hour than non-disabled workers.
The Government must keep its promise and turn words into action.
Scope has written an open letter calling on the Government to make employers publish their disability pay gap data. This would hold big employers to account and put pressure on them to make the workplace fairer for disabled people. Scope plans to hand it in to the Government later this year.
We're calling on campaigners to join the movement for workplace equality by signing our open letter. Together, we can urge the Government to stop pushing disabled people out of work. You can read the full Open Letter to the Government on our website.
This is an opportunity for disabled people to share their views and experiences with those in power. Including what good workplace adjustments look like, and the challenges faced in getting them.
This campaign has been informed by the experiences of disabled people through research, surveys and conversations about employment. Their experiences show what is broken and what needs to change.