Not So Different, together with our partners WALK, Rehab Group and AsIAm, have launched a new online training programme to support employers in developing inclusive recruitment, onboarding, retention and promotion practises for people with disabilities. We have launched the training on International Day for People with Disabilities 2020. 

People with disabilities have a broad range of interests, qualifications and skills however too often these assets are lost to workplaces due to a lack of confidence, or even fear, around inclusive employment. The consequences of this are stark with the community 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population. Given the right information and guidance, employers can begin their journey towards inclusive employment practises in recruitment, onboarding, in-work support and career progression.

The training aims to support employers to develop “disability confidence”. Over 5 modules, employers will access a broad range of practical information and strategies to enhance their practises.  Issues explored include how to reach people with disabilities in recruitment campaigns, how to run inclusive and equitable interview processes, how to discuss disability with a candidate or employee and how small adjustments to the workplace environment can make the world of difference for an employee with a disability. 

The  training, which was supported by the Department of Justice and Equality, through the National Disability Authority, aims to take a rights based approach to employment in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Government’s Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disability, 2014-2023.

The training, which is designed using universal design principles, has already been successfully piloted with a number of the countries leading employers in the public and private sectors including A&L Goodbody, AIB, Mr Price, Musgraves, the Passport Office, Northside Partnership, the Public Appointments Service and CDETB.