The pandemic initially reversed these trends with year-on-year changes showing a fall
in the disability employment rate and a widening of the disability employment gap in
2020. However, there were 5.1 million disabled people in employment in the UK in
2023.
Despite positive progress, stereotypes, barriers and prejudices still impact
differentially on disabled people with different impairments. Those with
neurodivergence, mental Health issues, and physical impairments still have much
higher rates of non-employment.
The disability employment rate was 53.6% in 2023, compared to 82.5% for nondisabled people. The disability unemployment rate was 7.1%
2023, compared to 3.5%
for non-disabled people.
In 2024 UKDHM will collect together a variety of resources to demonstrate the
benefits disabled people bring to the workforce whilst highlighting the disparities and
barriers that still exist in order to illuminate a more equitable way forward.
Our Plans
This year, our Positive Health Staff Network have planned a series of engagement
events and communications to raise awareness of the network whilst highlighting
barriers that still exist for disabled staff at STSFT. We'll be holding engagement
sessions with staff at the following locations on the following dates:
Palmer Community Hospital Staff Canteen - Wednesday 20th November
11.30am-1.30pm
South Tyneside Hospital Restaurant - Monday 25th November 11.30am-1.30pm
Sunderland Royal Hospital Restaurant - Wednesday 4th December 11.30am-1.30pm
Sunderland Eye Infirmary Staff Canteen - Wednesday 11th December
11.30am-1.30pm