| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 29/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 62 |
| Copyright: Other |
Trade needs to develop new views on disability
Trade needs to develop new views on disability
Trade needs to develop new views on disability
Does the industry consider the requirements of the disabled? Maureen Moody reports
If you had a job application from someone with a disability, what would you do?Do you invite candidates with limited mobility or learning difficulties for job interviews, or do you just automatically assume they won’t be suitable?
Do you make adaptations to jobs or equipment to retain employees who become disabled, or do you assume that amputees or employees with impaired vision will have to leave?
Figures compiled by the Hotel and Catering Management Association claims that disabled people are six times more likely to be refused a job interview than non-disabled people in the hospitality industry.
And they see widespread discrimination where people have been dismissed because of a disability.
There is the legal aspect too. The Disability Discrimination Act requires organisations to treat a disabled applicant or employee no less favourably than their peers.
The Act applies to all aspects of the workplace, such as training, transfers, career development and retention.
Currently this only affects companies employing 15 or more people but the threshold looks likely to be reduced in the near future. The right time to start good practice is now.
In order to help employers adopt good practice when it comes to the treatment of the disabled, The Employers Forum on Disability has been formed.
It currently has over 250 members including Alpha Airports Group, British Airways, Burger King, Forte, Greene King and Whitbread.
AnEFD spokesman said:”We recognise employers’ concerns about the ‘reasonable adjustments’ required by law, but many adaptations are simple, low-cost solutions.
“These include altering the direction in which a door opens to make it easier for wheelchair users; transferring an employee who develops multiple sclerosis to a job that does not require driving or allowing an employee whose condition calls for physiotherapy to take time off during working hours.
“These types of adjustments helps to create a level playing field for people with disabilities.”
Some travel companies have made such strides in disability access that they have been recognised by an awards scheme.
Four years ago, the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People launched a scheme designed to reward companies in industry that give outstanding service to the disabled.
Called the Ease of Access, Service and Employment, the award rules were changed last year to create specific categories for travel companies.
Last year, Thomas Cook won the award for best travel agent, with Going Places and Lunn Poly the runners up.
The best airline was Virgin Atlantic Airways, with Britannia Airways and British Airways close behind, while BAA Gatwick won the airport category with the runners up BAA Glasgow and Manchester Airport.
EASE co-ordinator Mark Wheddon said:”We ask members of the public and employees to nominate companies they think deserve credit. Generally speaking, over the past couple of years, companies in the travel industry are becoming more open-minded to the needs of disabled people.
“Disabled people are becoming more aware of this. One man we work with has just gone on an air trip for the first time. He has noticed that airlines are catering more for people with special needs and he is becoming confident about flying.
“Aside from anything else, travel companies should realise there is a huge, untapped market out there.”
For the first time this year, there will be an EASE category for hotels.
Some possible candidates for the award are St Mary’s Place Guesthouse in Edinburgh, which trains and employs people with mental health problems, and Chalk Farm Hotel near Eastbourne may also be awarded for its training of people with learning difficulties.
These organisations are all members of Access Tourism, a network of companies that all believe the travel sector should be made more accessible to disabled customers and employees.
The group points out that travel and tourism generates more than 10% of global employment and is the world’s largest generator of jobs.
The 2000 EASE Awards will be presented at the London Hilton on October 4. If you believe your company is a good disability performer, there is still time to enter – nominations close on June 23. Contact 01372 841100.
Just reward: Virgin was credited for acknowledging the needs of disabled people