A guide designed to help disabled people access the workforce and to transition into employment has been published by the Disabled Students’ Commission, the independent and strategic group funded by the Office for Students.
Disabled Graduate Employment 2021 calls on universities and colleges to reflect on the nature and level of support provided to disabled students and graduates for moving into employment, and upon employers to reflect on the impact of the pandemic for their recruitment strategies and ensure that they are fully inclusive of disabled graduates.
The guidance sets out 13 recommendations for universities and colleges, Chambers of Commerce, CBI, Institute of Directors and employers to improve the experience of disabled graduates entering the workforce.
It is essential that education providers and employers work together to ensure that the journey for disabled students of moving into employment from education is equitable.
"The benefits for all of enabling an inclusive and diverse workforce cannot be underestimated and so we must look at what support requirements are needed, and at removing barriers to the success of disabled students. This new guidance from the Disabled Students’ Commission seeks to do just that."Professor Geoff Layer, Chair of the Disabled Students’ Commission and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton.
The DSC is inviting organisations to share good practice in the area of employability for disabled students and graduates. For further information, please contact dsc@advance-he.ac.uk
Download Disabled Graduate Employment 2021
Advance HE has responsibility for providing secretariat support, as well as overseeing the management, coordination and dissemination of research and other DSC outcomes.