The worldís leading employersí organisation focused on disability as it affects business has been praised by the Minister for Disabled People as it marks its 15th year.
Anne McGuire said the Employersí Forum on Disability, launched in 1991 by the Prince of Wales, had: ìsuccessfully made the economic case for adopting good working practices and promoting the belief that disability should be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden.î
She also praised the Forumís work saying that it had been successful in ìbringing together the view of employers and intermediaries with the needs of jobseekersî, and that it had provided the Department of Work and Pensions with: ìan employersí view on how we might encourage and support businesses to recruit and retain disabled people.î
The Forum acquired charitable status in 1991, joined by 12 founders including Barclays, the BBC, Esso, BT, Wellcome and the Midland Bank (now HSBC).
It is now funded and led by around 400 private and public sector members, including 43 Gold Card core funders, which employ around 20 per cent of the population.
Susan Scott-Parker OBE, who has been Forum chief executive since its formation, said: ìOur challenge is nothing less than to change the way business and key stakeholders see the world ñ and the role of disabled people.î
Employersí Forum on Disability marks 15th anniversary
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