Consultation Launched On Working With Disabilities

Anne McGuire, the minister for disabled people, has launched a consultation aimed at getting people with physical and learning disabilities good employment opportunities.

Following on from a recent report that shows a shocking number of people claiming incapacity benefit, the government wants to improve employment support for people with disabilities.

Proposals included in the consultation include creating a bespoke service for disabled people, which ensures they can fulfil their career potential.

The government want to improve the role of disability employment advisers in Jobcentre Plus to give people with disabilities a bespoke service based on their individual goals.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation, Ms McGuire said: “We have made major progress in helping people with disabilities into employment. We’ve worked hard to tackle barriers to work and remove the stigma and marginalisation which many disabled people are confronted with in the workplace.

She added: “Over the last ten years we have helped over 350,000 disabled people into employment. But we are determined to go further, which is why today we are setting out how we think we can improve our services and deliver a more flexible and personal employment service.”

The Department for Work and Pensions is also looking at overhauling Remploy, Pathways to Work and a Flexible New Deal to provide specialist help for people with complex needs seeking work.