The disability employment gap – the difference in employment
rates between disabled and non-disabled people – is consistently
higher in Wales than elsewhere in the UK, according to the
Senedd's Equality and Social Justice Committee.
It took evidence from disabled people, charities and academics in
their inquiry. The testimony from Gerraint Jones-Griffiths,
Ambassador for Learning Disability at Engage to Change, inspired
the name of today's report: Anything's Achievable with the Right
Support.
The report makes seven recommendations to the Welsh Government to
reduce the disability employment gap.
MS, chair of the Equality
and Social Justice Committee said:
“It's been over 20 years since the Welsh Government adopted the
social model of disability, and still too many people with
impairments face barriers to the world of work. We need that to
change.
“Our report, Anything's
Achievable is clear - those who want, and are
able to, should have the dignity of work. We recognize that some
impairments mean that not everyone can work, but we need action
by teachers, employers and government to address the underlying
causes of the disability employment gap.
“If we can tackle the disability employment gap, we'll see new
talent in the workforce, an end to unrealised potential, and
improved prospects for the whole of Wales.”
Gerraint Jones-Griffiths, Engage to Change Ambassador for
Learning Disability told the Committee:
“The biggest barrier [to work] is the reasonable adjustments that
employers need to give to people.
“Employers are not realising the potential that people with
learning disabilities can actually bring to their workforce. They
don't seem to feel the real benefit.
“I've always said, 'With the right support, anything is
achievable.' I've always had the motto that is 'A is not for
autism, A is for achievement', and if public sector bodies, Welsh
Government, and all employers could see this, there would be a
massively better society for all to enjoy.”
Between 2015-16 and 2023-24, the disability employment gap in
Wales declined from 35.4% to 30.9%. But it is consistently higher
in Wales than elsewhere in the UK. And within Wales there are
considerable variations between local authority areas.
The Committee makes seven detailed recommendations in the report,
including asking the Welsh Government to publish the Disability
Rights Action Plan, requiring local government to increase the
numbers of disabled people in their workforce , and address
concerns regarding the rigour of the Disability Confident Scheme
before April 2025.
