The Business Disability Forum’s ‘Manifesto for Inclusive Change’ published today [3 December] to mark the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, calls on the winner of next week’s general election to take the following actions:

• To introduce targeted opportunities, including paid apprenticeships, for people with learning disabilities; recognising the challenges presented by a flattening of job infrastructure.
• To carry out a robust equality analysis of environmental and human rights policies.
• To seek the development of a new cross-government approach to disability; bringing whole-government consideration to all policy development.
• To prevent any further watering down of the Equality Act and increasing the enforcement powers and authority of the EHRC, or a similar body. Rights must be enforced, not just protected.
• To reform Access to Work and to remove the £59,200 cap.
• To ensure all education and learning opportunities are inclusive and accessible.
• To introduce a wholesale shift from mandatory ‘one-size-fits-all businesses’ government-led initiatives to an outcome-focused approach.

BDF CEO Diane Lightfoot said: “Business Disability Forum’s 300 members and partners represent 30% of the workforce in the UK. They have all committed to make disability inclusion a priority within their organisations. We now need a commitment from the future government which mirrors this, and which enhances rather than inhibits the actions being taken by businesses.

“We are in a period of immense change. Brexit, skills gaps and shortages in many key sectors, climate change, technology and innovation … We are calling for informed, joined-up, inclusive policies which deliver on improving the life chances of disabled people and ensure disabled people are not left behind.”

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