What is the Disability Confident Scheme?
Imagine you’re hiring for a key role in your business. You’ve advertised, interviewed, and shortlisted, but something’s not clicking. Then, you come across a candidate with the right skills, drive, and attitude - but they’ve been overlooked by others because they need a few adjustments to the workplace. You see their potential, make those adjustments, and realise you’ve found a team member who adds genuinely value to your business.
This isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s the reality for businesses embracing inclusive hiring practices. For many employers it’s not about a lack of desire to offer opportunities to disabled people; it’s about knowing where to start. That’s why the Disability Confident Scheme was created.
It’s all about helping businesses to be better equipped to choose the right employees based on merit, regardless of any disabilities they may have. The scheme offers support by providing practical steps to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong.
There are three levels to the scheme:
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Disability Confident Committed – This level focuses on getting the basics right, like inclusive recruitment practices so that you can offer equal opportunities to all candidates.
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Disability Confident Employer – Building on the foundation, this level offers a stronger focus on retaining and developing disabled employees.
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Disability Confident Leader – As a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be able to confidently champion inclusivity within your own organisation, and encourage others to follow suit.
Signing up to the Disability Confident Scheme isn’t just good for employees, it’s good for business too. It’s a chance to bring in talented people, foster a supportive environment, and show that your organisation is serious about building a workplace that works for everyone.
5 reasons you should think about becoming Disability Confident
We all know that building a strong team is key to running a successful business. The truth is, talented candidates are out there. Some of them just need a workplace that’s willing to meet them where they are. That’s where the Disability Confident Scheme comes in and can really make a difference.
So, could becoming Disability Confident be a smart move for your business? Let’s look at a few of the potential benefits.
1. You’ll unlock a wider talent pool
While many businesses say they’re struggling to find and recruit talented employees, it seems that suitable disabled candidates are often being overlooked. In fact, the UK’s disability employment rate sits at just 53%, compared to 81.6% for non-disabled people. That’s a huge gap, and it means there’s a wealth of untapped talent waiting for the right opportunities. By making your workplace more inclusive, you’re opening the door to people who can bring fresh skills, perspectives, and ideas to your business.
2. You’ll create a better, happier company culture
When people feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to stay. Businesses involved in the Disability Confident Scheme have reported great results, with nearly half recruiting at least one disabled person because of their participation. For larger organisations, that number’s even higher. And it’s not just about new hires - being proactive about inclusivity boosts morale across the business, helping you hold onto your best people.
3. You’ll set yourself up for success
It might surprise you, but businesses that embrace inclusivity often see stronger financial performance. In fact, a study by Accenture found that companies leading the way in disability employment and inclusion reported 28% higher revenue and twice the net income of their peers. Creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome doesn’t just benefit your employees - it’s good for your bottom line too.
4. It’s good for your brand
Let’s face it, how your business is perceived matters. More than ever, people are looking to work with and support businesses that genuinely care about equality and fairness. Becoming Disability Confident shows that you’re serious about giving everyone in your business a chance to thrive. And it’s not just about how you’re seen by others, it’s about building a business that people want to support and work for.
5. It helps you stay on the right side of the law
The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled employees from discrimination, and being part of the Disability Confident Scheme can help you stay compliant. But this isn’t just about meeting obligations, it’s about embedding fairness into your everyday practices.
Kim Hoque, a professor of Human Resource Management, puts it perfectly: “It’s not just about signing up to a scheme; it’s about making real, meaningful changes to how businesses think about recruitment and workplace culture.” By taking those steps, you’re not only changing your business, you’re setting an example for others to follow.
Becoming Disability Confident is an opportunity to build a stronger, more innovative business while doing the right thing for your employees and your community.
Promoting Disability Confidence in Your Workplace
Signing up is the easy bit, after all we’ve all committed to initiatives with the best intentions, only for them to gather dust when other priorities get in the way. But for businesses looking for real, lasting benefits from becoming Disability Confident, it’s about finding a way to turn that good intention into action.
Taking small, meaningful steps now can lead to a workplace that thrives for years to come.
Start with recruitment
For many businesses, the recruitment process is where barriers appear, often unintentionally. Review your job ads and application processes to make sure they’re accessible to everyone. Are your job descriptions clear and free from unnecessary jargon? Have you highlighted your willingness to make reasonable adjustments? Small changes like these send a clear message that your business doesn’t subscribe to outdated ideas and prejudices.
Make workplace adjustments that matter
Sometimes small changes can have the biggest impact. Offering flexible working hours could allow an employee who has regular medical appointments to manage their schedule more effectively. It can also be a huge bonus for someone who suffers from fatigue related to a disability.
Assistive technology, like screen readers or speech recognition software, can help someone with visual or mobility impairments to work more comfortably and productively. And even simple adjustments, like ensuring desks are height-adjustable or creating quiet workspaces for those who might need it, can make a big difference.
It’s not about finding one-size-fits-all solutions, it’s about listening, understanding, and being ready to adapt to individual needs.
Build awareness through training
Inclusivity starts with understanding, and training is a great way to get there. Think about investing in awareness programs to help break down misconceptions and build confidence among leadership and team members, so that they are better able to support disabled colleagues. When people feel equipped to have open and honest conversations, it creates a workplace culture where everyone feels valued.
Lead by example
Real change always starts at the top. When leaders openly champion inclusivity, they set the tone for the whole organisation. Make sure your leadership team is ready to show their commitment to developing a culture of genuine inclusivity.
Measure your impact
It’s easy to lose momentum if you don’t track your progress. Set goals, gather feedback, and measure the results of your inclusivity efforts. Are more disabled candidates applying for roles? Are team members reporting higher satisfaction? By keeping an eye on the bigger picture, you’ll be able to celebrate your wins and identify areas for improvement.
Lead the conversation
Businesses that prioritise inclusivity aren’t just reacting to change, they’re driving it. By embracing the Disability Confident Scheme and taking practical steps to support disabled employees, you’re setting a standard for others to follow.
And remember, you’re not alone on this journey. CPL Learning offers tailored training and resources to help you build confidence and capability within your team. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Ready to get Disability Confident?
Every workplace has its challenges, and creating an inclusive environment can feel like a big task. But as we’ve seen in this article, small steps can lead to huge changes for your business. Inclusive hiring practices give you access to a whole new group of talented individuals, and an inclusive workplace is better for everyone.
At CPL Learning, we’ve seen what’s possible when businesses commit to being more inclusive. That’s why we’ve taken the time to develop courses to help you do just that; our Disability Confidence for Managers Course helps leaders create supportive, open workplaces, while our Disability Confidence for Team Members Course gives employees the tools to play their part too.