#WorkWithMe

Adrian_Scope

Disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to non-disabled people.

When applying for jobs only half of disabled people’s applications result in an interview, compared with 69 per cent for non-disabled applicants.

Disabled people apply for 60 per cent more jobs on average than non-disabled people in their job search.

More than a third (37 per cent) of disabled people who don’t feel confident about getting a job believe employers won’t hire them because of their impairment or condition.

More than half of disabled people have applied for jobs they know they are overqualified for.

Those statistics make for grim reading and they amply demonstrate the enormity of the barriers disabled people face just entering the workplace, let alone remaining there.

With that in mind, Scope have partnered with Virgin Media as part of the #WorkWithMe campaign to help change workplaces for the better, but we can't do this alone and we're calling upon businesses nationwide to help create more inclusive workplaces.

By taking the #WorkWithMe pledge, businesses commit to thinking and acting differently about disability in the workplace and can use numerous resources to not only implement but share best practice.

Not in work yet? Looking for a job can be a demoralising experience, but if you're on the hunt, we have a range of employment services designed to help support you before and during the job seeking and application process:

In London, Leeds or Calderdale, Starting Line offer in-person group training and one to one support, as well as help at the very start, before you're even ready to apply for anything.

Local to London or Leeds? Kickstart provide in-person one to one support and help when you're ready to start applying for jobs.

And if you're in England and Wales, Support to Work offer online and telephone support to create a 12-week action plan, which'll provide you with employability skills, how to write your CV and brief you on the many aspects of applying for a job.

Are you currently in employment and do you think your workplace would sign up to the #WorkWithMe pledge? Are you looking for work? What sort of skills do you think would help you with applying for a job? What are some of the barriers you've faced either in employment or finding work?

786shabnam

How can I get a "work buddy" once in employment?  Of course I refer to the Access to Work scheme for disabled people.  Feel free to correctme if 8 am wrong.

Adrian_Scope

Hi @786shabnam,
Have you contacted ACAS or EASS about this? They might be able to better advise about the process.