Disability-inclusive resources launched to provide practical advice for businesses online
Non-profit membership organisation Business Disability Forum (BDF) has launched a set of online resources to help businesses become more accessible places for disabled workers and customers.
The ‘Getting Started’ toolkit has been sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, a long-standing partner of Business Disability Forum, and covers how to meet the needs of disabled employees and customers and why it is important for businesses to implement this knowledge into their policies and practices.
Disability affects one in five people in the UK, yet according to ONS data from late 2020, only 52.3 per cent were in employment, which was down from 54.1 per cent the year before.
According to BDF, which has held webinars to inform businesses about how to be more inclusive, the aim of the toolkit is to encourage businesses to create enough accessible goods and services to cater to them.
Diane Lightfoot, CEO Business Disability Forum, said: “We often hear that organisations want to do more to make their workplaces, products, and services more accessible and welcoming to disabled colleagues and customers, but simply don’t know how and where to begin.
“These resources provide practical advice on how to get started on becoming more disability-inclusive. Organisations further along on the journey will also find them a useful reminder.
“After all, there is always more we can all learn when it comes to meeting the needs of disabled employees and customers. We are very grateful to Lloyds Banking Group for sponsoring our work in this area.”
David Oldfield, CEO Commercial Banking, and Interim Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Executive Sponsor for Disability at Lloyds Banking Group added: “We benefit greatly from the expertise and support of the Business Disability Forum, and we’re delighted we’re able to help other organisations get started on their journey through the sponsorship of the Getting Started Toolkit.
“We recognise it may be a daunting step but having the support, practical advice, and guidance that this toolkit provides will help organisations to navigate through those key milestones to build accessible and inclusive cultures within their organisations.”
Several resources from the toolkit are available to access free of charge including resources on barrier-free recruitment, delivering good customer service, and talking to people about their disabilities.
https://thiis.co.uk/disability-inclusive-resources-launched-to-provide-practical-advice-for-businesses-online/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/gstk-icon_.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/gstk-icon_-150x150.jpgNewsroomReports & ResearchSector NewsThird SectorBusiness Disability Forum,disabled,employees,Lloyds Banking Group,toolkitNon-profit membership organisation Business Disability Forum (BDF) has launched a set of online resources to help businesses become more accessible places for disabled workers and customers. The ‘Getting Started’ toolkit has been sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, a long-standing partner of Business Disability Forum, and covers how to meet the...Liane McIvorLiane McIvorliane@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine