Congress therefore notes that despite considerable and welcome advances on the civil rights agenda, employment prospects of disabled people remain bleak, with little prospect of change.
Congress therefore resolves to encourage all affiliates to raise employment matters to the highest point on the disability agenda, and to defend the jobs of any disabled members under threat. In view of the disadvantages that disabled employees encounter when faced with competitive redundancy selection processes, disabled workers should be retained, supported and given reasonable adjustments, before being appointed into suitable alternative posts.
Congress calls on the General Council and affiliates to promote in every workplace:
i) disability audits to identify good practice, and necessary improvements to access, retention, reasonable adjustments and other policies and practices;
ii) election of equality reps and statutory recognition so they have training and time to promote equality for all, including disabled workers; and
iii) activists to become Disability Champions.
Congress further identifies that the focus of campaigning must be on the cultural changes necessary to eradicate discrimination and exclusion of disabled people from all aspects of society and particularly the labour market.
Congress calls on the Government to honour its stated commitment to increasing employment rates for disabled people by:
b) giving employment tribunals the power to order re-instatement and re-engagement in disability discrimination cases; and
c) introducing legislation to provide paid disability leave for those with new or changed impairments.