Disability Pride Month 2024

Did you know that according to the 2021 census, around 18% of the UK population, or just under 10 million people, are disabled? Do you know any disabled people? I certainly do. In fact, we all do, with about 66.97 million people in the UK potentially experiencing disability at some point. As a speaker at a targeted workshop once said, “Not everyone is disabled – yet.” The reality is that every single one of us will experience disability either temporarily (think broken bones, pregnancy, migraines, menopause) or permanently (illness, old age). Many overlook this, leading to misconceptions and harsh realisations.

Disability Pride Month, like LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Black History Month, is about coming together to celebrate diversity and victories while acknowledging daily struggles, ableism, and discrimination. Take the Equality Act 2010, which informs many of our work-related decisions. Although frequently cited when discussing discrimination, it doesn’t take precedence over other UK legislation, is riddled with loopholes, and is considered unfit for purpose by both disability advocates and MPs. Unfortunately, many disabled people learn this the hard way when they face job termination or withdrawal of job offers due to their disability, often with no legal recourse.

There is no straightforward solution to ableism or the lack of a robust legal framework protecting disabled people. This is where you can help.

A 2017 survey found that only about 9% of people working in construction were registered disabled, far below the general UK population percentage. This isn't just about advertising jobs on boards frequented by disabled people but actively working towards making workspaces more inclusive. Pick Everard's agile working policy is commendable, but consider whether a colleague or client using crutches could navigate your office space, if there is a quiet space for dealing with migraines, or how you would react if a colleague needed to leave suddenly due to unexpected fatigue.

Many disabled people hide their disabilities at work. Pick Everard is part of the Government Disability Confident scheme, yet only 3.78% of these employers are in the construction sector, despite 13% of UK businesses being in construction. If a disabled person shares their condition with you, listen. They trust you not to be prejudiced and may offer valuable insights.

This July, let's dismantle misconceptions by discussing barriers and solutions with those with lived experiences, either directly due to disabilities or caretaker roles. These solutions might benefit everyone, even those without disabilities. There’s plenty of information online from charities and organisations, like Scope, Disability Rights UK, Mind, Inclusive Employers, as well as those who specialise in specific disabilities and causes.

So, how will you celebrate Disability Pride Month in your office?