Proposed diversity body ignores the business case

The Learning and Skills Council has called for an association for diversity and equality practitioners to be set up.

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) believes that the creation of a professional body for diversity advocates is unnecessary and may be counterproductive.

Existing professional and academic accreditation bodies should improve their training across the board and disability equality should be in the job description of every business professional not just among HR managers.

EFD's chief executive Susan Scott-Parker says: Disabled people and business leaders want more efficient businesses run by people who have the necessary skills and know-how.

While it is tempting to make HR responsible for 'fairness' the priority is for all professional training to become 'disability and diversity proof'.

We need a system which educates every business professional properly in the first place.

Employers have an important part to play in developing a fresh approach to disability and this can only be achieved if disability is positioned as a business priority not a peripheral human resources issue.