How many disabled people of working age do you think have a job? Just 52.7%. That’s over 30% less! 

 Why is the gap so big? 

Is it because of prejudice? Sometimes, people have so little experience with disabled people that they make assumptions about us. Often, they assume that we can’t do things as well or as quickly as other people. In fact, it’s not uncommon for them to assume we simply can’t work. 

Is it because of physical barriers? This is very common too, many workplaces just like everywhere else are often inaccessible. 

These things are slow to change and difficult to control. We fight every day to make changes to these issues, but there’s one thing we have a lot more control over. Something that we believe can help close the disability employment gap. 

Disabled people need more opportunities to get the skills they need to get good jobs, start their own businesses, or turn a hobby into a career.

“If we want to be equal partners in society, then we need better access to Education.

I’ve applied for jobs and received phone calls telling me they couldn’t offer me an interview because the office was on the second floor of a listed building without a lift.

I’ve had colleagues ask me why do you bother if you’re so unwell?

I’ve had social workers tell me that I don’t need to work, that I shouldn’t tire myself out, and that nobody expects me to do anything so why bother?

I’ve had a store career councillor tell me that I’d never get a job.

I’ve got far worse grades than I could’ve achieved because I’ve been fighting for my life in hospital and to this day, I’m ashamed of them. I’m ashamed that I didn’t get to go to a top University, I’m frustrated and angry that I missed out on opportunities I might have had if only education was more accessible to me.

And yet, I am one of the lucky ones. I had a mentor who sat me down aged 16 and said “George it’s going to be very hard for you to get a job so if you want, I’m going to teach you how to work for yourself on your own terms.” He taught me a skill, marketing, which enabled me to work for myself, to get my own clients, and to run my business in a way that was accessible for me. Without that help and that privilege The Disability Union wouldn’t be here today, and that’s why we want to make education available to all of our members.”

With accessible education immediately available to you, you’ll finally be able to prove your worth, get that job or start that business. It’s time to start living an accessible employment life. 

At The Disability Union, we believe there should be nothing about us without us. All of us are disabled or have lived experience of living with someone with a disability; we know what it’s like; we know what the barriers are and our mission is to remove them. The Disability Skills Academy is our first big step towards making employment accessible for disabled people.

Access to Education on equal terms with everyone else should be a given in our society but it isn’t, so this is our humble attempt to start levelling the playing field ourselves.  

• Take your future into your own hands by gaining new skills that will give you an edge in job interviews.

• Expand your mind and explore the things you love from the comfort of your home.

• Access recognised and industry-leading education for as little as £4.99 a month.

• Learn in an accessible environment with a provider committed to making education work for you.

• Get access to all the other benefits of Disability Union membership including:
  • Invitations to attend local branch meetings and socials
  • Access to our group online events such as adaptive yoga, meditation, workshops on independent living, disability rights, etc.
  • Access to our members-only Facebook support group.
  • The option to join our campaign groups on important disability issues.
  • Discounts on disability aids
  • Access to 1:1 support from a caseworker (or team of caseworkers) who will work with you to help solve disability issues.