Inspiring stories to turn the heads of business
By Andrew Merrell and Mark Owen | 25th January 2019
If businesses were expecting an ear-bashing for ignoring an estimated 125,000 of the county's workforce on grounds of disability the opposite happened.
Gathering for this morning's Disability Confidence event businesses from the county instead came face to face with staff from the county whose talents and inspiring stories drew their eye instead.
Businesses that attended the Shire Hall event learned there are approximately 125,620 people in Gloucestershire with a disability or condition that affects their ability to seek employment, but less than half are in employment (48 per cent).
The event, fronted by the county council's Forwards team and city MP Richard Graham, was about encouraging employers to recruit more people with disabilities and long-term health conditions and challenging them to ask 'how diverse is their own workforce?'.
Its sales pitch was helped by some of that group who are currently in work telling those gathered about their skills and the roles they currently do with great effect for county businesses.
Cllr Kathy Williams, cabinet member for adult social care delivery at Gloucestershire County Council said: "We want local employers to look beyond disability and consider the unique way each person could contribute to their workforce.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, that's why we work with partner organisations to offer a network of support to both individuals and employers."
Mr Graham, said: "All employers need to think outside the box and see what skills might be available from candidates with disabilities."
The work done by those behind the now annual Disability Confidence event aims to support the Disability Confident campaign, launched by Government in 2013.
Punchline says: "It is great to see so many businesses looking beyond what they might perceive as a disability to seeing the skills and talent that is out there. But there is a long way to go. Had anyone who thought otherwise come along to today's event they would have been inspired to get involved."
For more information, visit http://www.forwardsgloucestershire.co.uk/ or email forwards@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
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