Lack of tech shuts disabled people out of job opportunities

The lack of assistive technology is making it difficult for disabled people to look for and obtain work, according to a new report.

The study entitled, Talent & Technology: Building bridges to employment for disabled people, carried out by All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology (APPGAT),  reveals how the pandemic has changed the way we work. It also highlights existing digital inequalities, and urges action to ensure the future world of work is accessible to all.

The report, co-chaired by Lilian Greenwood MP and Lord Shinkwin and produced by Policy Connect, recognises the enormous potential of assistive technology to ensure access to work for disabled people. Examples include a visually-impaired person using a screen reader to access a recruiting site; a person with Muscular Dystrophy using a mouth stick to navigate an application form; and an autistic person using a specialised app to help them travel to an interview.

INACCESSIBLE STANDARD TECHNOLOGIES

However, APPGAT also heard difficult stories of disabled people unable to look for and obtain work, due to inaccessible technologies; poor digital practices by organisations; and a lack of skills.  “Disabled people are repeatedly shut out of the very schemes designed to offer a starting point in careers; such as apprenticeships or employment support through the job centre,” noted the report.

“Digital access and digital skills are no longer optional for finding work; even in non-tech industries,” said report author Geena Vabulas.  “The reality is that many ‘standard’ technologies, websites and applications are inaccessible to disabled and older people.  However, recent advances in technology mean that assistive technology can now remove barriers in a wider variety of settings than ever before.” 

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

The report makes recommendations to government, education providers and employers, on how to ensure the world of work is accessible to everyone. Recommendations include:

• The government appointing and empowering a National Assistive Technology Champion. The Champion will lead on developing and delivering, in collaboration with disabled people, a framework on disabled peoples’ life transitions that guarantees access to digital technology which does meet the needs of the individual at all stages of life.  

• Proactively removing digital barriers to employment. The government should take advantage of existing JobCentre Plus structures to identify and remove digital barriers to employment for all. The DWP should recognise digital access as a key enabler of employment for all customers.

• Allowing SMEs to tap into talent of disabled people. The government should improve targeting of disability support schemes to employers and employees who need them most; and take advantage of existing networks to skill up employers on digital accessibility and inclusive recruitment practices. Employers should ensure their recruitment and on-boarding practices are digitally accessible and inclusive by following guidance produced by Disability Confident Leaders.

Commenting on the report, Lilian Greenwood MP, Co-chair of the inquiry, stated: “The Government must take the lead on ensuring that disabled people have equal access to work and training opportunities.   The UK is already a world-leader in the development of assistive technologies; and Government should harness the power of these tools to make the world of work accessible to all.”

Business Disability Forum has called on employers to “reality check their views of disability” as they plan for the future. Click here to read more.