What Is a Disability Confident Employer?

Disability Confident EmployerA Disability Confident employer is a business that actively promotes inclusivity and accessibility for disabled people in the workplace. The Disability Confident scheme, developed by the UK government, helps businesses recruit, retain, and support employees with disabilities.

Disability Confident employers of all sizes are:

  • challenging attitudes towards disability
  • increasing understanding of disability
  • removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
  • ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations

Benefits to businesses

Disability Confident helps businesses:

  • draw from the widest possible pool of talent
  • secure and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working
  • save time and money on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover
  • keep valuable skills and experience
  • reduce the levels and costs of sickness absences
  • improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly

Businesses who are part of the scheme can:

Attract and Retain Talent

There are over 16 million disabled people in the UK. Being a Disability Confident Employer helps you tap into this diverse talent pool and access candidates with valuable skills and experience.

Improve Business Reputation

Consumers and clients increasingly choose businesses that demonstrate social responsibility. A commitment to Disability Confident enhances your brand and can attract new customers.

Increase Employee Engagement

An inclusive workplace leads to higher morale, productivity, and loyalty among employees, benefiting your entire workforce.

Meet Legal and Ethical Standards

Signing up to the scheme helps ensure your business complies with the Equality Act 2010, which protects employees from discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics such as disability.

For public sector bodies and organisations carrying out public functions, Disability Confident status helps to demonstrate that you are fulfilling the Public Sector Equality Duty by working to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations among all employees.

Gain Access to Support and Resources

The Disability Confident scheme provides guidance, case studies, and networking opportunities to help businesses succeed in fostering inclusion.

How to become a Disability Confident Employer

Becoming a Disability Confident Employer is a simple but powerful step towards building a diverse, inclusive, and successful business.

The scheme has three levels:

  1. Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) – Make five basic commitments and actions, including inclusive recruitment practices.
  2. Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) – Demonstrate that your policies and practices support disabled employees.
  3. Disability Confident Leader (Level 3)– Act as a champion for disability inclusion and support other businesses.

Sign up

To sign up to become a Disability Confident employer, visit the Disability Confident website.