The Clear Company’s Co-founder and Director Kate Headley has been appointed as the UK’s Disability and Access Ambassador for the recruitment sector.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Chloe Smith MP announced the appointment of new Disability and Access Ambassadors; to help ensure businesses are doing all they can to support their disabled customers and employees. These voluntary positions are held for a maximum of three years; alongside the Ambassador’s usual job and are supported by the Cabinet Office Disability Unit.
PASSIONATE ABOUT INCLUSION
Through her work with the Clear Company and external roles, Headley has been instrumental in leading a proactive and practical approach to disability inclusion throughout her career. She is notorious for her passion and expertise in the development of inclusive recruitment best practice. Additionally, her ability to reach and influence senior decision makers and stakeholders across government and business has created lasting impact and change. Having experienced significant sight loss during the last five years, Headley has effectively demonstrated the positive impact of adjustments in enabling her to maintain her level of professional influence and activity.
Headley also founded, and continues to Chair the UK’s Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI); a national programme to safeguard and progress opportunities for disabled job seekers by removing barriers in recruitment. RIDI has changed the lives of more than 500,000 disabled people since 2011.
DELIVERING AUTHENTIC DISABILITY
Commenting on the new role, Headley stated: “We have an unparalleled opportunity to deliver authentic disability inclusion and equity. Flexible and remote working is increasingly the norm and ensuring that employers can attract and empower the wealth of disabled talent the UK has to offer is pivotal to economic growth and success. A recruitment community, confident and capable in attracting disabled talent is essential.”
The current Ambassadors have been helping industry and the Government in their response to the Covid-19 crisis; and supporting work to develop the National Disability Strategy. Disability and Access Ambassadors are leaders in their industry who aim to make private sector services more accessible. They are effective change-makers who help build improvements in the accessibility and quality of services and facilities for disabled people. They lead change and promote best practice from within.
The Disability and Access Ambassador posts represent several sectors. They include advertising (brand and design); airports; arts and culture; banking; built environment (products and services); buses; countryside and heritage; creative Industries; energy; hospitality (pubs and restaurants); housing (private); insurance; rail travel; retail; technology; universities; and web accessibility.
The Clear Company provides inclusive recruitment and talent management insight, training and technology. With more than 18 years, the company has continuously enabled UK and global clients to deliver meaningful change; and create an authentically inclusive culture both internally and throughout supply chains, communities and inclusive customer solutions.
Check out the 2021 RIDI Award Winners here.
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