Disability Confident

There are nearly 6 million people of working age in the UK who are disabled or have a health condition.  Overall, the estimated percentage of the population who are disabled is around 19%.

The logo of Disability Confident Employer

Historically there has been a large gap between the numbers of disabled people employed compared with non-disabled people.  In September 2015 the employment rate for non-disabled people was 81% whilst that for disabled people was 46% - giving an ‘employment gap’ of around 35%.  More detailed statistics are to be found in Disability Facts and Figures from the DWP and Office Disability Issues.

Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.  It has replaced the previous Two Ticks Positive About Disabled People scheme.

Part of the rationale for the Disability Confident scheme includes the desire to halve the disability employment gap by mobilising employers to retain or recruit disabled people. The role of the DWP is to support disabled people and those with a long term health conditions into, or back into, work.  

Please visit the Disability Confident page on the DWP website for further information on the scheme and assessment stage.

Citizens Advice has signed up to this scheme, as have 37 local offices (as at April 2018). A full list organisations who have signed up is available on the GOV.UK website.

Through Disability Confident, thousands of employers are helping to:

  • challenge attitudes towards disability

  • increase understanding of disability

  • remove barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions

  • ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations

By being Disability Confident, Citizens Advice are continuing our work to help positively change attitudes, behaviours and cultures - to champion equality as outlined in our current Equality Strategy 2015-2020 .

There are 3 levels to Disability Confident:

  • Level 1: Disability Confident Committed

  • Level 2: Disability Confident Employer

  • Level 3: Disability Confident Leader

In September 2017 Citizens Advice became a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2).  This means we currently assess ourselves around 2 themes:

  • Getting the right people for your business

  • Keeping and developing your people

To find out more about how the Disability Confident scheme affects you, please see our guidance for applicants.