The Disability Confident movement is working to change the way employers think about disability, taking action to improve how they recruit, retain and help to develop opportunities for disabled people.
At Medequip, we're committed to adding social value in everything we do, so accreditation as a Disability Confident Committed organisation presented us with a real opportunity to lead the way and play a role in improving how we open the world of work to people living with disabilities.
So what does it mean? To achieve recognition we had to demonstrate that we are inclusive and operate accessible recruitment processes. Our vacancies have to be communicated externally and internally, including disability support agencies, and we commit to offering interviews to people with disabilities and support existing employees, as well as providing reasonable adjustments for those living with disabilities.
We also commit to carrying out various programmes across our network of depots, including activities such as work experience and work trials, paid employment, job shadowing and traineeships. Our involvement with the PURE (Placing Vulnerable Urban Residents into Employment) project led by Birmingham City Council, where we provide work experience and now have one candidate in permanent employment, is an excellent example of how well this can work to the benefit of our business and the people we support.
The Disability Confident Committed movement was developed by employers and disabled people's representatives. It's a voluntary scheme, and access to the guidance, assessments and resources to help us along the way has been completely free of charge; we would encourage other organisations to explore the potential and see how they can be involved.
View our Disability Confident Committed certificate that certifies that Medequip Assistive Technology is Disability Confident Committed certificate number DCS026517
Updated 23/09/21