A-million-futures-halving-the-disability-employment-gap.pdf?ext=

ConclusionTo resolve this, it is essential thatall political parties base theirpolicy development on a moresophisticated understanding ofthe barriers to work that disabledpeople face.The biggest change must be torecognise that many disabledpeople want to work and alreadydo – and that the challenge forthem is to have job that has theflexibility they need to remain inwork. A refreshed approach tosickness absence and better,more flexible in-work supportis essential in order to supportmore disabled people to excelat work.Finally, policy aroundemployment support shouldrecognise that disabled peopleface considerable social andenvironmental barriers to work.This must be taken into accountin assessments of ‘fitness forwork’. And if the supportprovided for unemployeddisabled people is to becomemore effective, it must startfrom the individual andprovide a more personalised,tailored service.Disabled people want to work,but the barriers that they faceare considerable. Despite nine in10 disabled people being in workor having worked in the past,currently only around one in twoare in work. Yet thedisadvantage they face in thelabour market is set to worsenover the next decade.their aspirations, and becomemore financially resilient.But this cannot happen withouta significant change in policy.For too long, the focus ofpolicymakers has been ondisabled people’s supposedfailure to work. This has meanta tightened benefits system to tryand ‘push’ disabled people intowork, and the introduction ofemployment programmes thatare yet to provide successful,personalised support.A second major policy shift mustbe to recognise that the shapeof the labour market is creatingchallenges for disabled people.More jobs should be targetedat disabled people in their localarea, and central Governmentshould incentivise City Regionsto provide significantly bettersupport for disabled peopleto take advantage of growth.As the economy returns togrowth, the next Governmenthas a unique opportunity toresolve this situation, and ensurethat more disabled people aresupported to find work, achieve32 33