Disability and the Employment Gap

Disabled people are significantly less likely to be employed or self employed compared to non
disabled people.

In Great Britain, 82% of Non Disabled People are employed / self employed. This compares to
only 48% of Disabled People being employed / self employed. (Source Equality and Human
Rights Commission 2009).

The employment rate of people with a disability is lower in Waltham Forest than for London
and England. In 2008 the employment rate for disabled people in WF was 32.8%, which is
lower than London 45.0%

The employment rate for disabled people is lower than the Over 50s, BAME communities, Lone
Parents and the Lowest Qualified. Disabled People fare the worst (Source: DWP 2007).

Work “the best and fastest route out of poverty” (Equalities Review)
Disability Hate Crime / Community Safety

Survey by Mencap found that nine out of 10 respondents said they had been bullied in the past
year. Two-thirds of those questioned said they were bullied on a regular basis, and a third told
of being bullied daily or weekly.

Focus group findings revealed similar level of concerns and experience of disability related hate
crime.

Disability Hate Crime is high on the agenda following the recent “Pilkington Case”

Last year 1,412 incidents classed as having a disability aspect were successfully prosecuted,
compared with 6,689 racial incidents (Guardian 2009)

There are few concrete statistics on the level of hate crime. Locally, this year 6 incidents have
been reported to date. However, many are categorised as Anti Social Behaviour or indeed go
unreported.
Service Improvements
Leisure and Sports

In 2007/08, 32.3% of disabled people participated in at least one active sport in the past 12
months compared to 59.6% of non-disabled people (source Office for Disability Issues).

Focus group findings indicated that access and using leisure and sports facilities was still a key
issue. Many disabled people were not using mainstream sports and leisure facilities.
Transport

“Improving the accessibility of public transport and parking arrangements is the most
important single priority identified by disabled Londoners. Inaccessible transport is the major
barrier to disabled people participating equally in the life of the capital” (The State of Equality
in London Report 2008 GLA). Reiterated by focus groups.
Access to Information

Focus groups reiterated that, all too often, disabled people have unsatisfactory experiences
when receiving or trying to obtain information on public services.

ODI Research demonstrates that improving information to disabled people can help to
improve their satisfaction with public services.

"Accessible information is an key aspect of achieving equality for disabled people”
Further Education Support

Access to further education was an area of concern, as well as ongoing support (including aids
and adaptations).

Choice of courses currently limited

Lack of awareness of available courses.
Public Realm

Over one million blind and partially-sighted people risk serious injury every time they walk in
pedestrian areas. Additional concerns for those with mobility issues.

Focus groups highlighted the following areas of concern:

Poorly maintained pavements and inconsistent use of drop kerbs

Inconsistent use of tactile paving

Pedestrian crossings

Overgrown hedges / low-hanging branches

Wheelie bins / loose rubbish / assisted collections / recycling

Shop furniture, including advertising boards, displays and stalls
Customer Care and Training
Focus groups highlighted:

Front line services and staff have become better equipped in dealing with physical disabilities.

Staff were less aware of “Invisible Disabilities”.

Particular concerns were raised about the lack of awareness around mental health and how to
respond adequately.

Concerns across public services in the area including further education and police.

Feeling that the public in general did not understand mental health and stereotypes remain
common, and more needs to be done to promote positive attitudes.

“One in six individuals in Britain experience problems such as depression, a number which is
expected to increase as people face rising unemployment, housing worries and debt during the
recession” (Mental Health Foundation July 2009).
Contract Management

The Disability Equality Duty required that every public authority should ensure that public
money is used to support equality of opportunity, greater independence and fuller participation
of disabled people. That is, every public authority needs to become a ‘disability equality
purchaser’, meaning that it takes disability equality into account when it defines its
requirements and takes relevant steps to purchase works, goods or services to meet those
requirements.

Focus group participants recognised importance of procurement and contract management as
they see more and more services delivered through others e.g. GLL and Kier.

Focus group also highlighted that staff employed by contractors were not as well-trained or
aware of disability equality when compared to Council staff.

This will become increasingly important as we go through the Transformation phase, and move
to providing services in different ways.