Next year marks 30 years since the introduction of the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act — and yet, in 2025, the employment landscape still fails many disabled people. Nearly 1 in 4 people in the UK report having a disability, but they are almost twice as likely to be unemployed and three times more likely to be economically inactive than their non-disabled peers.
This is not just a societal issue — it’s a business issue. With record levels of worklessness and growing skills shortages, employers cannot afford to overlook the talent, innovation, and dedication that disabled individuals bring. As Lord Holmes puts it, “Getting people with disabilities into work is good for the economy, good for business, and good for society.”
Despite the availability of hybrid work, accessible technology, and inclusive frameworks like Disability Confident, the reality is that many hiring systems still unintentionally exclude. As Keith Rosser, Chair of the Better Hiring Institute, explains, too many people are “prevented from finding work because the hiring process presents too many barriers.”
The Better Hiring Institute, in collaboration with Reed Screening, Disability Rights UK, BASE, BT Group, TUI, and King’s College London, and endorsed by parliamentarians Lord Holmes and Lord Shinkwin, has developed a powerful new resource designed specifically for employers who want to lead on fairness, inclusion, and business performance.
What you’ll learn by downloading this resource:
This practical guide is designed to support HR leaders, hiring managers, and business owners in building more inclusive workplaces. Inside, you’ll find:
Clear data and insight into the current barriers disabled people face in employment
Practical, employer-led solutions to improve hiring, onboarding, and retention practices
Lived experience case studies that highlight the real-world impact of inclusive policies
A breakdown of the Disability Confident scheme and what meaningful engagement looks like
Policy and legal considerations, including how to address reasonable adjustments
Inspiration from employers who are already making inclusion a competitive advantage
Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to deepen your organisation’s impact, this guide will help you embed fairness, boost productivity, and access a broader talent pool.
Download the full resource using the button at the top of this page, to build a workforce that truly reflects the world we live in.