New online toolkit with tips for businesses on how to meet needs of disabled employees and customers

A new set of online resources was launched on 27 May to help businesses become more disability inclusive. Created by Business Disability Forum, the Getting Started Toolkit covers how to meet the needs of disabled employees and customers, and why it is important.

One in five people in the UK have a disability. Yet, many disabled people continue to face barriers in the workplace and as customers. This is often due to a lack of understanding around disability and the often simple steps that can make a difference.

The Getting Started Toolkit aims to help businesses and organisations to know where to begin when making their policies and practices more disability friendly.

Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum, said: “We often hear that organisations want to do more to make their workplaces, products and services more accessible and welcoming to disabled colleagues and customers, but simply don’t know how and where to begin.

“These resources provide practical advice on how to get started on becoming more disability inclusive. Organisations further along on the journey will also find them a useful reminder. After all, there is always more we can all learn when it comes to meeting the needs of disabled employees and customers. We are very grateful to Lloyds Banking Group for sponsoring our work in this area.”

The toolkit is sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, a long-standing partner of Business Disability Forum.

David Oldfield, CEO commercial banking, and interim group chief operating officer and group executive sponsor for disability at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We benefit greatly from the expertise and support of the Business Disability Forum, and we’re delighted we’re able to help other organisations get started on their journey through the sponsorship of the Getting Started Toolkit. We recognise it may be a daunting step but having the support, practical advice and guidance that this toolkit provides will help organisations to navigate through those key milestones to build accessible and inclusive cultures within their organisations.”

Several resources from the new toolkit are currently available to access free-of-charge. These include resources on barrier free recruitment, delivering good customer service, and talking to people about their disabilities.