AccessAble are the UKs largest provider of disability access information, with 6 million people using the Access Guides. They currently work with over 500 organisations across the UK, including M&S, Next, Primark, Tesco, and B&Q in supporting disabled colleagues and customers.

The AccessAble Inclusive Employment programme and webinar might be of interest to Charter signatories and the wider HR Community, as it complements the activities of the D&I Charter pledges 2 and 5:

2) We will ensure there is no bias in the recruitment process and will undertake a transparent process of audit.

5) We commit to create a respectful, inclusive work environment within which every employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the company’s vision and values.

Disabled people are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people. There are two big barriers that can prevent organisations from recruiting and retaining disabled people and disabled people applying for jobs:

1. Organisations can lack confidence in knowing how to appropriately interact with disabled people and therefore shy away.
2. Disabled people do not have the essential accessibility information they need to be confident they can experience interviews with dignity.

Inclusive Employment programme

Leading up to their 25^th year, Accessable want to leave a legacy, working with 250 of the UKs best employers to remove the barriers disabled people face accessing employment.

A nationwide survey showed 95% of disabled people had felt anxious before visiting somewhere new due to concerns around accessibility and this will be particularly true when attending an interview.

AccessAble have launched an Inclusive Employment programme, that seeks to overcome these barriers by educating and empowering businesses to support disabled people and creating a detailed Access Guide to an interview space that shares essential accessibility information to manage expectations prior to arrival.

The programme includes:

• A detailed Access Guide to your interview space. An innovative Guide created through a surveyors assessment to provide a visual, factual and objective journey from the car park to an example meeting room.
• Disability Essentials Bitesize eLearning course SCORM files. A practical, introductory course for everyone and full of interesting facts, top tips and videos from disabled people sharing their knowledge and experience.
• Disability Managers eLearning course SCORM files. Aimed at people managers and focusing on aspects such as inclusive recruitment, reasonable adjustments, and legal obligations.

You can read more about the programme below. To join the Inclusive Employment movement, contact Inclusiveemployment@AccessAble.co.uk

Attracting and Retaining Disabled Talent webinar - Wednesday 30th October, 10:00-11:00

AccessAble are hosting a free webinar focused on Attracting and Retaining Disabled Talent, with leading employment law barrister and Founder of AccessAble Dr. Gregory Burke. Gregory will share expert insight and practical steps covering recruitment, retention and reasonable adjustments. This tailored session for HR and DEI teams together with senior leaders is designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively support disabled employees in the workplace. 

For more details and to sign up click here.

More about the D&I Charter

In 2021, through the HR Community we commenced our BRC Diversity & Inclusion Charter, our change programme, to understand and improve the state of D&I in UK Retail.

Based on six pledges, the charter is delivered with the support of our expert partners, the RPC who provides deep expertise and insight through our programme of signatories’ exclusive virtual roundtables every six weeks, exclusive to D&I Charter signatories.

Access to the Charter is a free opt-in benefit for BRC retail members. As part of the programme of support, signatories are invited to join regular programme of workshop and in-person events, with varied topics linked to our charter pledges:

1. Our CEO will be accountable for Diversity and Inclusion in our business and will appoint an Executive with ownership for D&I
2. We will ensure there is no bias in the recruitment process and will Undertake a transparent process of audit
3. We will take positive action that supports open career opportunity and progression and will undertake a transparent process of audit
4. We commit to contributing data on our diversity in the workplace which will feed in to the Diversity and Inclusion in UK Retail report
5. We commit to create a respectful, inclusive work environment within which every employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the company’s vision and values
6. We believe supporting equity in the workplace is the responsibility of all line managers