Thursday 22 Dec 2016 @ 08:10
Department for Work and Pensions
Printable version

Seeking disability sector champions

The Office for Disability Issues are seeking business people to champion accessibility of products and services for disabled people.

In the UK we have made great progress driving equality for disabled people with the equalities act and anti-discrimination legislation. As a country we spend significantly more than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average on support for disabled people.

However, there is much more to do to provide equal opportunities and choice for disabled people. Simple things that non-disabled people take for granted are not always accessible to disabled people, such as being able to watch your local football team, visit your local restaurant and use the toilet when you get there, or being able to buy easy-change clothing for children.

Disabled people represent a massive untapped market for business with a collective spending power of £249 billion. Harnessing the power of the ‘purple pound’ creates a virtuous circle of more financial independence and the choices that come with it for individuals, that in turn represent huge economic opportunities for businesses.

So we are issuing a call for business people to become sector champions who will become a catalyst for change by championing accessibility of products and services for disabled people and unlocking this spending power.

We need champions who are ambitious, passionate and dynamic, with strong networks and the ability to reach out to a wide range of organisations and create momentum for change.

We are initially looking for a champion for one year, in each of the following sectors:

  • fashion industry
  • retail
  • leisure venues
  • toy and gaming industry
  • tourism
  • hospitality
  • media
  • technology
  • transport – rail and buses
  • finance – banking

We would be grateful for expressions of interest from people who are up for the challenge and would welcome the opportunity to work within their sector and with others, to deliver on these goals.

To express your interest, please:

If you have any enquiries please contact Maxine Thompson at the email address above.

Completed expressions of interest are due back by 5pm on Monday 16 January 2017.

 

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

Share this article

Latest News from
Department for Work and Pensions

Back to work boost as quarter of a million workplace training places delivered

17/04/2024 15:10:00

More than a quarter of a million workplace training places for benefit claimants have been delivered in just three years, new data reveals.

£1.5 Million investment to improve in-work health services as part of government drive to tackle inactivity

15/04/2024 12:10:00

Reforms to occupational health services will be shaped through a £1.5m innovation fund, as the government continues its drive to tackle in work sickness and boost economic activity using new technology and artificial intelligence.

Working parents on Universal Credit set receive up to £20,872 a year in childcare support

10/04/2024 16:20:00

Parents on Universal Credit can now receive up to £1,311 more a year in childcare support following a 6.7% boost coming into effect, as the government’s expansion of free childcare for working parents delivers 150,000 places in a week.

Fraudsters behind £53.9 million benefits scam brought to justice in country’s largest benefit fraud case

10/04/2024 14:15:00

A group who stole over £50 million of taxpayers’ money has been brought to justice in the largest ever benefit fraud case in England and Wales.

Government reaffirms commitment to backing pensioners with £900 rise to state pension

10/04/2024 10:10:10

The State Pension is increasing by 8.5 percent as part of the Government’s commitment to support pensioners in retirement.

Half a million more benefit claimants set to benefit from back to work support as Universal Credit expands

10/04/2024 09:20:00

Half a million people claiming old benefits will be invited to claim Universal Credit, unlocking all the work support it offers.

New guide published to help businesses boost disabled people’s prospects at work

09/04/2024 12:20:00

A new Disability Confident guide for managers helping them recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace has been published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

£5 billion in support for energy bills paid this Winter

05/04/2024 15:25:00

An estimated £5 billion in support has been paid throughout Winter to help families with energy costs.

New laws to cut migration and put British workers first in force

05/04/2024 12:12:00

Changes that are now in force will slash migration and prevent the undercutting of British workers by employers looking to recruit cheap labour from overseas.