Reports point to job discrimination

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

Health and safety issues are being used to refuse jobs to disabled
people despite the 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 and
disability-related absence being regarded as sickness
absence.

John Monks, TUC general secretary, said: “The law requires
employers to remove the risks to people, not remove the people who
may be at risk.”

Meanwhile, Work Matters, a study of work issues in Wales
commissioned by the Royal National Institute of the Blind Cymru,
highlights a number of barriers to disabled people seeking and
retaining work, including inadequate support when starting a new
job and transport problems. It also highlights the misconceptions
about what disabled people can do, the lack of awareness of their
needs, and the benefits trap.

– Disability and Safety Working Together from www.tuc.org.uk and Work Matters
from 02920 450 440.