'This report is timely and important; I hope that employers will read it carefully and act on the practical proposals. We will make sure that unions see it too and work with their employers to make sure that disabled people have full access to employment and are treated as equals when they are in work by making sure that the necessary adjustments are made.'
Sarah Veale, Head, Equality and Employment Rights Department, TUC
'The fact is that if Lloyds Banking Group is not able to attract, recruit and retain people with disabilities as employees then we are missing out on an enormous talent pool to the detriment of both our business and society as a whole. The business case is clear and we are making disability an integral aspect of our organisation by minimising barriers in recruitment and providing disabled colleagues with a simple ‘one stop shop’ process for obtaining workplace adjustments. We therefore feel this report is very timely and support its recommendations.'
Graeme Whippy, Group Disability Programme, Lloyds Banking Group
'I am pleased to see some great examples of practical interventions in the report focussing on attraction of new employees, as well as dealing with reasonable adjustments and managing on going disability. This goes a long way to address cultural change towards disability and will help inform and educate managers in the workplace and help remove any elements of fear around managing people with disabilities.
'The modern workplace is changing all the time and is becoming increasingly competitive. Some of the recommendations listed here will help organisations to get the best out of their people, as well as meet their corporate responsibility obligations.
'This is a detailed report which will challenge employers and business to think harder about disability in the workplace. People with disabilities have much to offer and we should all focus on what they can achieve and contribute in key job roles. We all have an obligation to remove barriers, dispel myths and stereotypes and concentrate on finding innovative ways to ensure that we are maximising the talent of people with disabilities.'
Alison Dalton,Manager Diversity and Inclusion British Airways
'Flexibility is something that employers need to look at to support all workers especially those with disabilities or long term health conditions and older workers. Our own survey on the ageing workforce suggests that flexibility in the way people work is a low cost or no cost way to go forward to help people stay in work and be able to contribute. Employers need to be aware of the support from Government like Access to Work.'
Professor Sayeed Khan, Chief Medical Adviser, EEF - the manufacturers' organisation