Disabled people feel they experience more barriers in employment and career progression than people without disabilities, according to new research published by Business Disability Forum.
Based on an Opinium poll of 1,073 disabled adults in the UK, the research shows that:
- Almost half (47 per cent) of disabled people in work or looking for work believe it is harder for them to hold down a job due to their disability or health conditions.
- A similar number (46 per cent) believe it is harder for them to progress in their careers.
- Access to more flexible working options (46 per cent), a better understanding of disability (40 per cent), as well as a more positive attitude towards employing disabled people (25 per cent), are key factors that disabled people feel would improve their workplace experience.
“These findings show the difference that inclusive employers can make to the workplace experience of disabled people,” said Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum. “Making sure that HR teams and line managers are trained to understand the needs of disabled people and the barriers that disabled people can commonly face is an important first step. But everyone has their role to play. Developing an inclusive workplace culture doesn’t just happen. Often, it needs to be driven by senior leaders who can set the narrative and lead by example, so that disabled employees feel welcomed and able to ask for the support and adjustments they need.”
The survey findings suggest that disabled people experience barriers at every stage of the workplace journey:
- Looking for work: Over 4 in 10 disabled people in working or looking for work said it was harder for them to look for jobs (43 per cent) and attend interviews (43 per cent) compared with people without disabilities.
- In work: Nearly half (47 per cent) believe it is harder to hold down a job. While close to a third (32 per cent) think it’s harder to ask for help from colleagues or a line manager.
- Job progression: Almost half (46 per cent) feel it is harder to progress in their careers.
Disabled people in work and looking for work identified several key factors that would improve their workplace experience:
- Workplace adjustments – More flexible working options (46 per cent). Better access to needed adjustments (23 per cent).
- Disability awareness – A better understanding from their employers of their disability or long-term condition (40 per cent)
- Positive approach to disability – Employers having a more positive attitude towards employing disabled people (25 per cent)
- Inclusive culture – Workplaces having a more disability inclusive culture (22 per cent)
Inclusive workplaces
Understanding what inclusive workplaces and recruitment look like in practice can be difficult. Each year, Business Disability Forum hosts its Disability Smart Impact Awards to showcase and share examples of inclusive recruitment and workplace practice that have made a tangible difference to the experiences of disabled people.
2025 winners included Ofgem for pioneering the first digital workplace adjustments passport in the Civil Service, Inkfire for their flexible working framework and Enterprise East Group CIC for their placement and training scheme for disabled jobseekers.
The 2026 awards are now open for entries. Go to Business Disability Forum’s website to read about the awards and for guidance on workplace inclusion.