There are over 6.6 million disabled people of working age in Great Britain (1).
Nearly one fifth (19%) of the working-age population have a long-term disability or health problem (1).

The unemployment rate for disabled people is nearly twice as high as the rate for non-disabled people: only 47% of disabled people are employed, as opposed to 81% of non-disabled people (1).
Only 18% of people with mental illness are employed (1).
Sickness absence cost British businesses £10.7 billion in 2000 (2).

More cases were taken under the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act in its first year, than under the employment provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act or the Race Relations Act in their first years (3)

Fewer than 5% of disabled people use wheelchairs (4)

Statistical sources:
1. Labour Force Survey, 2000
2. Confederation of British Industry, Pulling Together, 2001
3. Department for Education & Employment, Monitoring the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, 1999
4. Employers' Forum on Disability web site (www.employers-forum.co.uk), 2001