- Conference
- 2021 National Disabled Members' Conference
- Date
- 8 July 2021
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that there are 13.9 million disabled people* in the UK yet disability rights are still being questioned. From July to September 2019, there were over 2,000** disability discrimination cases brought to tribunals and cases are rising. Employers are legally obliged to treat disabled workers fairly and implement the necessary adjustments/ changes. Yet even with this protection, disabled workers are still having to fight for equal treatment compared with their non-disabled colleagues.
The covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted discrepancies in society for people with disabilities. It is now more important than ever for disabled people to have equal rights and for employers to understand and embrace the widespread nature of disability.
This conference calls upon the National Disabled Members Committee to develop and run a campaign to make disabled people/ members a priority for all employers. This campaign may should include:
• Promoting disability inclusion on methods of communication, ensuring appropriate language and etiquettes are used and communication methods are accessible for all.
• Promote inclusive practices employers can use to fully include disabled people in their organisations – with perhaps a UNISON award for best disabled employer of the year (nominated by branches)
• A bargaining pack for branches
• A guide and training on how to be a good ally of disabled members
• Training on disabilities for inclusion and awareness of the differences in disabilities
• Recognising talent of people with disabilities
• Creating plans to hire and retain disabled employees
*source Sense 2021
**source Disability Rights UK 2021