The Disability Rights Commission has revealed that workplace discrimination accounted for more than half of the cases it supported last year.Employers' failure to make adjustments for disabled workers made up more than a third of those cases.
A spokesman for the DfWP told ePolitix.com: "The basic legislative framework to protect workers from discrimination is there - and from October 2004 this will cover even more workers.
"It comes down to all of us, and in particular employers, to consider our behaviour and attitudes to ensure that discrimination has no place in the workplace.
"Disabled people represent a sizable - often highly skilled - part of the workforce, so an inclusive workplace is not just commonsense, it makes good business sense."
Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission
Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said: "Disabled people are telling us that too often the workplace continues to be a hostile environment.
"This need not be the case. Often all that is needed is a small adjustment which may cost nothing or very little, such as a change of duties or working hours.
"There is considerable talent among disabled people which is being wasted for the want of a little flexibility and common sense."
Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind
Dan Vale, UK campaign manager at the RNIB, told ePolitix.com: "The Disability Discrimination Act appears to have had little effect with regard to unemployed people as the rate of unemployment for blind and partially sighted people has not changed since DDA has become law (Bruce and Baker, 2002).
"Over three-quarters of those who lose their sight at work lose their job, a third of these within the first year. Very few ever work again.
"Those in work do reap some benefit and this effect has been enhanced since DRC was established to take up cases.
"The effect of the DDA is still partial. The resources of DRC are limited and it cannot support every claim: legal aid is not available, which is a problem, and many lawyers remain unfamiliar with the DDA and the concept within it - a reflection, of society's general ignorance about disability.
"Running a tribunal claim is complex and time involved in bringing a case in relation to employment, especially recruitment, is a major disincentive to individuals.
"Tribunal rules have recently been changed to enable employers to more easily recover costs, and we are aware that this is used by employer's lawyers to deter people from pursuing claims.
"The main concern of employers is to protect themselves against costly legal cases. Unfortunately we sense that the DDA has failed to create a positive environment to bring about a change in attitudes.
"Blind and partially sighted people's battle to overcome practical barriers is made worse by prejudiced attitudes. It is disgraceful that half of all employers say they would not employ someone who has difficulty seeing.
"There are 115,000 blind or partially sighted people of working age in the UK. Three out of four are not in paid employment. One thousand visually impaired young people enter the labour market each year.
"Four thousand people in employment lose their sight each year. Of these around 25 per cent are quickly forced out of work At least 25 per cent of unemployed blind and partially sighted people would like to work if the opportunities and support systems were in place.
"Half of all employers say they will not employ someone who has 'difficulty seeing'."
Forum Response: Voice UK
Kathryn Stone, director of Voice UK, said: "Once again this shows the need to change attitudinal barriers as well as physical ones. Workers who happen to have to have a disability make an enormously valuable contribution to our organisation.
"Organisations really do miss out on recruiting knowledgeable and skilled people if they see no further than the disability.
"It really is a sad reflection of our society that in 2003 people are still being discriminated against because of disability."
Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust
A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "'Although disappointing, it is not surprising that the majority of cases the DRC supported last year involved discrimination at work.
"Despite the very real benefits that increased employment opportunities offer people with disabilities, their employers and society in general, there continue to be too many barriers to people with disabilities enjoying the chance to work and fulfil their ambitions.
"In addition, by adopting narrow attitudes towards their potential, employers are prevented from tapping into the great strengths of a disabled employee, in particular their loyalty and conscientiousness as they are less likely to move from job to job or take time off for sickness."
Forum Response: Shaw Trust
A spokeswoman for the Shaw Trust told ePolitix.com: "Shaw Trust recognises that there are significant barriers facing disabled people who want to work and that the Disability Rights Commission plays a vital and important role in combating discrimination when it occurs.
"It is important that society recognises the value of all its members; for every disabled person who is working, there is another who does not have this opportunity. We estimate that there are at least 1.25 million disabled people who would like the chance to work but who are currently receiving long-term benefits.
"Last year Shaw Trust worked with 14,000 disabled people and through our contacts with over 4000 employers we enabled 7000 disabled people to find and keep work. We do not doubt that discrimination occurs but our experience is that the majority of employers we contact are willing to employ disabled people but have fears and concerns about their own ability to manage this employment effectively.
"Organisations like Shaw Trust provide an important bridge between disabled job seekers and employers and we provide support to both.
"We believe that the numbers of disabled people in work will be improved through a combination of effective legislation, which is properly policed and the right range of support for both employers and disabled people who want to work.
"In this European Year of Disabled People the government has made a commitment to extending the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act but is yet to demonstrate a real willingness to invest in the types of services that disabled people and their potential employers need in order to make a real difference to the lives of the 1.25 million disabled people who would like the chance to work."
