Employers` Forum on Disability (NI)
What is EFD NI?
• A not-for-profit organisation
• Formed, managed and funded by employers
• Member employers commit to good disability practice
• Almost 80 members from the public, private and voluntary sectors
• Covers approximately 20% of the workforce
How is EFD NI managed?
• President - John West, Head of Business
Improvement, Ulster Bank Group
• Board of Directors meet quarterly
• Chaired by Alan McCully, Personnel Manager,
Translink
• Board develops action plans, reviews progress and responds to member employers’ needs
• Takes advice from disability organisations, business groups and legal profession
EFD NI Services
• A tailored one-to-one service for member employers and employees, e.g.
• Member has employee with dyslexia
• EFD NI:
• liaised with British Dyslexia Association
• contacted employers with similar experience
• identified appropriate professional for assessment
• provided details of DEL programmes
EFD NI Services
• On-line Jobs Bulletin Board
• Disability Mediation Service
• Member-only area of our website
• training materials
• on-line disability awareness briefing
• fact sheets
• Monthly Disability Discrimination Act case law update
• Member Network Meetings
EFD NI Services
• Disability awareness training materials for members, e.g.
• “Enabled” video and guide
• Presentation Material
• DDA Case Studies
• Disability awareness training sessions for members, e.g.
• CCMS training for all Head Teachers and
Boards of Governors Chairs
• NI Policing Board Briefings for volunteers
EFD NI Services
• Partnership initiatives, e.g.
• DDA Case Law Seminar
• Sensory Impairment Awareness Training
• Recruitment and Retention Seminar
• RNID research with employers
• World of Work Event, e.g. Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust and Mencap
• Action Mental Health Seminar
EFD NI Services
• Keeps members up-to-date on disability policies and services
• Sign-posts to disability services providers
• Facilitates partnership working between members
• Facilitates sharing of information and resources amongst members
• Obtains discounts for members on publications and services
Member Examples:
Recruitment Good Practice
• Ballymena Borough Council linked with schools, colleges and disability training providers to offer meaningful, relevant work placements to suit a wide range of interests and abilities
• BBC annual programme for disabled people to give experience in media industry
• Staff Commission for Education and Library
Boards – ring fenced Clerical Officer Post, contacted
The Cedar Foundation, explored placement of a suitably qualified person, facilitated disability awareness training, at end of placement permanent post offered
Member Examples:
Retention Good Practice
• DETI - surveyed staff to invite requests for adjustments, obtain feedback from disabled employees, invite suggestions for good disability practice, identify barriers
• Translink employee developed hearing impairment,
Health and Safety guidelines excluded him from job on railway tracks, liaised with employee and agreed transfer to ticket kiosk job
• CCMS due to disability secondary school teacher allowed to start work at 10.30 a.m., substitute teacher employed to teach earlier classes
Member Examples:
Staff Disability Awareness
NI Policing Board - provided disability awareness training to all employees:
• Senior Personnel - In-depth Legislative Obligations and
Case Law
• General Staff and Volunteers - Legislative Briefing and
Disability Awareness Training
DETI - series of factsheets, e.g. Mental Health and employment
Member Examples:
Involving Staff with Disabilities
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development -
Disabled Employee Network to facilitate:
• Discussion of disability issues
• Undertaking initiatives
• Supported by DARD
• Managed by staff with disabilities
