Independence for Disabled People: Work and Service Provision in Britain - Who's Looking After The Companies?

By Simon Minty (SimonMinty@compuserve.com)

Independence concerns income, making choices where to go and what to do, who for and who with--this is the ultimate aim. One of the crucial factors in enabling such Utopian independence for disabled people is the right to participate in society on equal terms to others. Easier said than done as we all know, but what are the pivotal factors that allow or prevent such desirable inclusion? No doubt it will include working for a living and being valued and respected as a customer. If disabled people have the range of skills and abilities to work and surely have the inclination and purchasing power to be customers, what is the hold up? Basically, the companies, retailers and organisations who consistently and repeatedly overlook disabled people as either potential staff members or probable customers.

The $50 billion answer
Why are these organisations holding things up? Not so much the 64 million dollar question but more likely the ignorance of the 50 billion dollar answer. Well, in the case of retailers anyway. British Government statistics give the disposable income of British disabled people to be in excess of GBP£33 billion per annum.  That equates to US$50 billion dollars at today's exchange rate.  A huge market that suppliers of goods and services have been slow to recognise, accommodate and provide for. Things might be changing; a recent UK competition for ideas for new World Wide Web based businesses, 'dot.coms', had the joint winner for best idea being a e-commerce venture that would pull together all the suppliers of products for disabled people. The disabled person, their friend or relative would hit the web site and search, view and review the products they required. The competition winning idea won GBP£1 million worth of venture capital to start up. It seems the commercially minded judges think there is a viable market out there, certainly in terms of specific disabled-friendly products. Just in case you didn't know, disabled people also buy the same goods and services as everyone else, which expands the potential market even further.

The lack of knowledge of the $50 billion figure is sadly not the only area of ignorance preventing people with disabilities from inclusion in society. There is a more significant and more difficult barrier to overcome. This is the lack of awareness about human difference in terms of employment, often stemming from ignorance, fear and ultimately prejudice. However it manifests itself, be it overt discrimination or more subtle elements such as not having a suitable entrance to buildings, such misguided assumptions lead to unjustifiable discrimination by employers preventing disabled people from gaining meaningful employment. Admittedly there is protective legislation by way of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 but this is not regarded as comprehensive Civil Rights protection, as it allows for  some lawful discriminatory practices. Besides, as a disabled person, I think it better to encourage and educate employers as to the benefits of employing me with the sound commercial benefits 'carrot' rather than threatening them with the 'stick' of legislation.
 

Employers Forum on Disability
One unique organisation that provides the necessary encouragement and education is the London based. Employers Forum on Disability (EFD). Set up in the mid 1980's the EFD was aimed at addressing the then current "state of play in the UK with respect to those deep-seated, culturally-determined attitudes to disability which underpin all activity in the field." As one original EFD board member summarised it at the time, "the psychology of distaste."¹   The social entrepreneur and driving force behind the EFD, Chief Executive Susan Scott-Parker OBE, has created a formidable, ever growing and ever changing, well respected organisation. Susan's ambition for the EFD was and still is that the EFD is there for businesses to develop and express an authoritative positive voice on disability as it affects employers and service providers. In other words a productive and positive method to eliminate that previously mentioned ignorance.

The EFD currently has over 375 members principally in the private sector but with some public sector organisations. The organisations represent all areas of commercial and public life in Britain and employ in excess of 22% of the UK workforce. By joining the EFD, businesses and organisations learn about and commit to certain practices, policies and procedures in the treatment of disabled people as customers or employees. The EFD works with government, business leaders and disabled people; all stakeholders in the world of disability, sharing best practice, information and experiences in employing disabled people and serving disabled customers. It is a fundamental belief of the EFD that whilst implementing and respecting relevant legislation such as the DDA 1995, its work and purpose is actually valued irrespective of legal and social responsibilities. Employers and service providers experience commercial benefits and benefits as organisations by the inclusion of disabled people.²  It is an attempt to achieve the often hard to find win-win situation.

The Employers' Forum on Disability imparts advice; legal, social and experiential. They supply a vast range of publications and videos on current legislation, best practice guidelines, the business case, customer service and disability auditing procedures. Annually, the EFD hold their renowned conference that brings together key people in disability rights, disability training, disability and business and disability arts, in Government, Employment and Service Provision.

Independence Day as theme
This year's event, held on the 4th of July 2000, hi-jacked the US Independence Day as a theme and celebrated disability and independence. With over 600 people in the audience, key speakers wowing the crowd and a personal message from President Clinton the evening was informative, fun and encouraging. Behind the scenes, EFD work closely with their key disabled Associates in developing models and methods of understanding disability in the workforce and as customers. For me, as an Associate, the quarterly meetings are invigorating, challenging and enjoyable, bringing together key influential disabled people working to improve the experience and perceptions of disabled people in helping businesses to understand what they are doing wrong and praising what they get right. It is a time where thoughts, experiences and ideas can be freely shared and energies and commitment is re-fuelled, knowing there are supportive and talented people in the same difficult field of work.

 At present the EFD is said to be unique in the world. It shouldn't remain this way for too long as the success and changes the EFD has been instrumental in the UK would benefit the whole of the disabled community and businesses around the globe. Each party can learn what previously they may not have realised; just how much each other has to gain from positive collaboration.
 

Employers' Forum on Disability website: www.employers-forum.co.uk
© Simon Minty 26.7.00

²EFD - A Presentation, Bob Twitchin EFD Associate