The local MP for Hastings and Rye, Sally-Ann Hart, attended a workshop on June 9th 2021 hosted by DWP and the All-Party Disability Group to become registered as a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
By attending and registering as a Disability Confident Committed Employer, Sally-Ann has signalled her commitment to making her offices both in parliament and in Hastings and Rye accessible and welcoming to disabled people and to ensuring that no barriers stand in the way of potential.
This week’s workshop was attended by over 100 parliamentarians and featured addresses from the Minister for Disability Justin Tomlinson MP and the Chair of the All-Party Disability Group (APPG) Dr Lisa Cameron MP. It was organized by the Disability APPG after research from Leonard Cheshire found that 26% of all working disabled people have been unable to return to work since the early days of the pandemic with 71% of those with a disability who were employed in March 2020 reporting being negatively impacted by a loss of income, furlough or unemployment as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Justin Tomlinson said, “I know personally how valuable a diverse and inclusive workforce can be, so it is fantastic to hear that Members of Parliament are joining over 20,000 organisations, who have already become Disability Confident, covering over 11 million workers. The scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills and free resources they need to attract, recruit and retain disabled people in the workplace and help them succeed.
“I would encourage other organisations, big or small, to become Disability Confident and support disabled people to unlock their full potential.”
All Party Disability Group Chair Dr Lisa Cameron MP said, "Disabled People have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. As an APPG, we believe we need wider representation in Politics now more than ever, and one way we want to do this is increase access to the political landscape. I truly believe Parliament needs to walk the talk, which is why I am delighted that over 100 of my fellow parliamentarians were able to attend this workshop to become Disability Confident Employers and signal their commitment to doing everything possible to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded every opportunity to have opportunities in the workplace and fulfil their full potential.”
Sally-Ann added that “I was delighted to attend this workshop and to now be registered as a Disability Confident Committed Employer. It is vital that we do everything we can to support those with a disability into employment and I’m proud to join many amazing businesses in the local area who do so much to ensure that those with disabilities get the employment opportunities they deserve.
“Now more than ever it is important that we support disabled people to ensure that they are at the heart of the economic recovery out of the Coronavirus pandemic. I hope that my registering as a Disability Confident Employer shows my commitment to achieving this goal and also making parliament more inclusive.”