A new campaign launched by the charity Leonard Cheshire is calling for better support for disabled people on their journey to employment and whilst in work. Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, has joined the campaign and is urging employers in Derbyshire to recognise the potential of disabled people when recruiting new staff.

Toby said: ‘There has been significant progress in improving access to the workplace for disabled people but there is still a lot of work to do to level the playing field and break down barriers caused by stigma, prejudice and a lack of understanding about the capabilities of disabled people, and the support that is available.’

A Government fund, ‘Access to Work’, exists to support businesses with adaptations to help disabled people in the workplace. The fund can help with everything from mobility ramps or lifts to sign language translators.

Recent research conducted by Leonard Cheshire revealed that one in five employers said they would be less likely to employ a disabled person. Of those employers who are less likely to employ a disabled person, almost three in four said they would be concerned they would struggle to do the job.

Toby added, ‘I am delighted to support Leonard Cheshire’s Untapped Talent campaign, and would encourage employers to investigate the Access to Work would help them. I urge employers in Chesterfield to recognise the skills and knowledge that disabled people have and that make them an asset to our workplaces.’