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Disabled workers are still being discriminated against by UK employers despite legislation to prevent this, according to a new report from the Trade Union Congress, writes Amy Taylor.

Health and safety issues are being used to refuse jobs to disabled people despite the legal protection of the Disability and Discrimination Act 1995 the report says. Its findings include wheelchair users being refused jobs because they would not be able to escape buildings during a fire or 'may get in the way' of colleagues trying to escape. 

Disability-related absence being regarded as sickness absence - with a knock on effects for disciplinary procedures, performance reviews and references - was also a problem.

John Monks, TUC General Secretary said: "Safety is a poor excuse for discriminating against disabled people and it is not allowed by law. The law requires employers to remove the risks to people, not remove the people who may be at risk."

Meanwhile, comprehensive study of employment issues in Wales commissioned by RNIB Cymru found that people with disabilities lack advice and information on basic issues such as getting transport to work, accessing support schemes or simply being shown around a new place of work.

The research highlights a number of barriers to people with disabilities seeking and retaining work, including inadequate support when starting a new job, and transport and mobility problems.

The research also highlights the misconceptions about what people with disabilities can do, the lack of awareness of the needs of people with disabilities, and the benefits trap.

- Disability and safety working together from www.tuc.org.uk