Category Archives: Disability

Disability, Disability at work, Diversity & Inclusion, Midlands News, News, Recruitment News

Birmingham businesses invited to meet disabled jobseekers at accessible job fair

18 April 2024 – Local businesses, including employers and recruiters, are invited to meet disabled job hunters and career switchers at Sense’s Pan Disability Job Fair in Selly Oak next month.

The annual job fair, which has been running since 2022, provides an accessible, supportive environment for employers to meet disabled jobseekers. National disability charity Sense, which runs the two-day event, will provide communication support for all attendees, including BSL interpreters, scribers and sight guides. Employers and recruiters will also be supported through training on awareness and accessibility, including how to ensure your stand is as accessible as possible. The event is free for both employers and jobseekers.

The job fair will be held at Sense TouchBase Pears, as part of the charity’s mission to support more disabled people into work and defeat the 29 per cent employment gap* between disabled people and the overall population.

Last year, more than 30 employers exhibited at the job fair, which was attended by more than 230 jobseekers. One of those exhibitors was Starbucks. Lindsay Townsend, Store Manager at West Bromwich Starbucks Store said:

“Last year, our West Bromwich and New Street Store teams attended the Sense Pan Disability Job Fair to help disabled jobseekers find meaningful employment in the local community. This forms part of our wider commitment to creating a culture of warmth and belonging in our stores, providing an environment that is accessible for everyone. Our store team members spent the day talking to attendees about job opportunities at Starbucks, supporting people to secure employment last year. We are attending again this year and we look forward to supporting more people to find meaningful employment in local businesses.”

Electrical and digital infrastructure company Legrand also attended the job fair last year. Monique Fearon, Regional HR Manager at Legrand, said:

“Legrand’s participation in the Sense Pan Disability Job Fair last year not only helped us connect with disabled jobseekers and build relationships with companies such as Queen Alexandra College and the DWP, it also gave our brand significant exposure to a new talent pool, further enhancing our reputation as an inclusive and socially responsible organisation. This is such an invaluable event for everyone involved, and we look forward to participating again this year.”

The job fair is hosted by Sense’s employment team, who run a specialist employment service helping people with complex disabilities and those who are deafblind into work. The team recently ran its first ever accessible job fair in Leicestershire, in Sense’s new hub in Loughborough. Employers in attendance included Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Loughborough University and Leicestershire Police.

Zoe Bates, Employment Co-Ordinator at Sense, said:

“Sense’s Pan Disability Job Fair is a fantastic opportunity for employers to engage with disabled jobseekers, and to see the amazing potential that they have. This will be our third year running the event, and in the past two years we’ve had hundreds of disabled jobseekers through the doors. Jobseekers have built some great connections with local employers, securing opportunities like voluntary work experience and paid work too.

“Employers have fed back to us that they really appreciate the opportunity to engage with local jobseekers and that our service helps to bridge the gap between disabled jobseekers and employment. We’re warmly welcoming applications from employers to attend the event so please get in touch if you’d like more information.”

The Pan Disability Job Fair in Birmingham will take place on 14-15 May 2024, from 10am-3pm. Registrations for employers are open with more information on the charity’s website: https://www.sense.org.uk/our-services/education-and-work/employment-support-people-with-complex-disabilities/pan-disability-job-fair-2024/  

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References:

*According to OS Data, Employment of disabled people 2023, published 26 October 2023, the disability employment rate was 53.6% in Q2 2023, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people.

About Sense:

Sense is a national disability charity that supports people living with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world. Sense supports children, young people and adults in their home and in the community, in their education and transition to adulthood and through its holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes. In addition to practical support to families, Sense also offers information advice, short breaks and family events, and campaigns for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life. For more information, please visit http://www.sense.org.uk.

 

Disability, Disability at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

Evenbreak appoint one of the top 100 most influential disabled people and passionate DEI champion Jamie Shields

London 8th December 2023, the world’s first disability job board run by disabled people for disabled people Evenbreak today announced they have appointed one of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK, Jamie Shields as an ambassador. Branding himself a Registered Blind AuDHD Rhino (Rhinos are chubby unicorns!) Growing up Jamie experienced many challenges due to his Disability. It took many years for Jamie to realise he was not the problem, it was a society not designed for him and others like him – a society that disables.

Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jamie is a champion for equality and equity. He works for a Global Total Workforce Solutions Firm, AMS, where he is the Disability Accessibility Lead. Here he supports his employer and their global clients to create inclusive accessible cultures that foster belonging for Disabled People – something Jamie never felt in employment until this role. Alongside his full-time role, Jamie is a self-employed Speaker, Trainer, and Consultant, operating under the name Disabled by Society. He supports his clients to create inclusive accessible change. Helping them take accountability for accessible branding, marketing, cultures, products, and services.

At Evenbreak Jamie will support both individuals and employers. He will make introductions via his global contacts between disabled people and inclusive employers supporting them to create an equitable culture that fosters belonging. As a skilled content creator Jamie will use his social media channels to share the benefits and resources Evenbreak offer with disabled people across the globe to enable meaningful employment.

Speaking about his appointment Jamie said: “I am thrilled to be working with Evenbreak, Jane Hatton has been one of my idols, from the first time I had her on my podcast two years ago. From that moment I knew I was in the presence of a changemaker, a thought leader, and someone I could look up to. I really believe in Evenbreak’s mission, and I am so excited and happy to be working with the team.

“When I began my voluntary role within DEI as a Disability ERG lead, I never thought one day that this would be my career. That my lived experience would shape and influence my work, opening doors I would have never dared to walk through. Before this, I was bouncing from job to job, desperately trying to find an inclusive employer, in a society not designed for me, whilst trying to manage my own internalised ableism.

“I feel very privileged to be AMS’s Disability Accessibility Lead, whilst also running my side hustle, Disabled by Society.  It is a privilege I know not many have. Today I am named as one of the 100 most Influential Disabled People in the UK, I am an award-winning ERG Lead and I am named in the Diversity Power List 2023/24 as one of the  50 most profound champions of inclusion, diversity professionals, and D&I Leaders across the UK. Recognition and validation that Jamie 20 years ago would have never believed possible.

In my head, I have been an ambassador for Evenbreak since my first discovery of them. I know all too well what it means to struggle to gain and retain employment as a Disabled person, and Evenbreak is changing this, and I want to support that change.”

 

Evenbreak CEO Jane Hatton said:”We are delighted to appoint Jamie as one of our ambassadors. He has a true passion for creating a society that accepts and accommodates people with disabilities. Jamie experienced at first hand how thriving in your career can change your life for the better. Welcome onboard, we are all looking forward to working with you!”

To find out more about Evenbreak go here: https://www.evenbreak.co.uk/

 

Disability, Holidays, News, Pembrokeshire, Property, Travel, West Wales

Welsh luxury holiday resort expands its accessibility offering with newly launched adapted Platinum lodges

Bluestone National Park Resort has launched four adapted lodges as part of its brand new Platinum range.

The luxury holiday resort, named third best in the UK for 2023 by Which? magazine for a second year running, sits in 500 acres of National Park in the scenic countryside of Pembrokeshire.

The Platinum lodges are the most luxurious offering yet, featuring sunrooms, picturesque surroundings, a private entrance, ‘cwtch’ rooms, and 20% more space.

The new lodges have been specially designed to assist those who need additional assistance, including being arranged over a single floor with two bedrooms, a wet-room, and an open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area, as well as an outdoor patio.

They also have wider doorways, a shower seat and handrails, emergency pull cords and a designated parking space for Blue Badge holders.

The newly launched Platinum lodges boost the resort’s existing accessible offering, with six Caldey lodges having already been adapted for disabled guests.

Guests are able to enjoy a diverse array of activities within the resort, as well as the natural surrounding beauty of Pembrokeshire’s beaches, cliffs and harbours.

Blue Lagoon, a subtropical water park, has designated disabled changing rooms, four aqua chairs and a hoist which can be requested at reception.

While Nature Trails found across the resort have been carefully designed to ensure there are wide pathways, limited steps, and, where needed, disabled access.

The Serendome, a covered outdoor playground, features a state-of-the-art amphitheatre that is wheelchair accessible and also offers a multi-level, aerial adventure course that is suitable for wheelchair users.

The Bluestone team are also able to make arrangements for guests with additional needs – such as those with sensory issues – to have exclusive access to facilities such as Blue Lagoon, Serendome or its indoor play area, The Hive, outside of standard operating hours.

William McNamara, founder and chief executive at Bluestone, said: “Our Free Range Manifesto embodies our commitment to creating a place where children of all ages and abilities can explore nature in beautiful surroundings.

“We’re extremely dedicated to making our resort and holidays accessible to everyone; from tailoring the lighting in our indoor play area to suit those with sensory needs, to opening our facilities outside of standard operating hours for guests who would benefit from quieter sessions.

“We believe that everyone who visits Bluestone deserves an unforgettable experience, which is why we would encourage guests to contact the team in advance to discuss any specific requirements they may have so we can ensure these are meet during their stay.”

With over 100 activities to choose from on the resort, many of which can be adapted for those with additional needs such as bowling or axe throwing, the Bluestone team are able to advise on the most suitable activities ahead of your stay.

Bookings to the adapted Platinum lodges can be made via Bluestone’s website: https://www.bluestonewales.com/resort.

Disability, Disability at work, Events, News

Evenbreak and Diversifying Group invite inclusive employers to an exclusive webinar hosted by Shani Dhanda on remote working in lockdown and beyond.

London: 23rd November 2023, Evenbreak, the world’s first global disability job board for disabled people and run by disabled people and Diversifying Group, a diversity & inclusion services organisation, is inviting inclusive employers to a thought-provoking webinar on Monday 4th December 12pm- 1pm. The webinar will be hosted by UK disability activist and the most influential disabled person of 2023, Dr Shani Dhanda.

This collaborative event invites employers to hear stories from the panel about their experiences of remote working, lessons from lockdown and how they’re calling on leaders to make tangible changes to create truly inclusive workplaces that work for everybody. The webinar will also address the question, are we really in a post pandemic world when so many people are still impacted?

Employers can find out how they can better support disabled people in the workplace and will be asked if their working style is really inclusive, when it is only suited to the majority not the minority.

 

The webinar will offer:

  • A better understanding of the lived experiences of disabled people in relation to remote working
  • A transparent and thought-provoking conversation around what employers can do to foster truly inclusive working practices
  • The chance to ask questions to the panel about the topics covered

 

Diversifying Group Founder, Cynthia V Davis CBE, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Evenbreak for this webinar, to bring our collective voices and lived experiences together to call for more inclusive working practices for all. I hope employers will come away more informed, inspired and ready to keep pushing for change.”

Evenbreak CEO, Jane Hatton, said: “Evenbreak has been working flexibly and remotely from home since 2011, long before the pandemic, and we still do so because it suits our team. We know that lots of organisations are responding to the post pandemic world in lots of different ways. We’re inviting those employers to come and have a discussion about the changing world of work.”

Registration is free to the webinar, ‘Inclusion in a Post Pandemic World, Opportunity or Illusion?’ Register your place here

 

 

Disability, Disability at work, News, Recruitment

5 Hidden Barriers Every Disabled Candidate Has To Overcome

As the UK celebrated National Inclusion Week, Evenbreak, the world’s first global disability job board run by and for disabled people, spoke to its team and discussed the hidden barriers that every disabled candidate has to overcome.

Each and every disability is different and comes with different challenges, so Evenbreak has put together five consistent issues that able people wouldn’t think twice about to highlight the added pressures and challenges that disabled candidates face on a daily basis.

 

1 – To Disclose Or Not To Disclose – This conundrum came up consistently. There was a general acknowledgement that candidates felt the recruiter would be put off from putting you forward if they knew you were disabled. So at what point in the job application or once started (if ever); and worried what people will think and / or assume once you have and the likely negative consequences, such as can’t do the job as well as others who are ‘non disabled’ or getting special treatment (which isn’t the case). From a YouGov poll we did with 3000 candidates, we found that 23% felt that mentioning their disability would put them at a disadvantage, 24% said a lack of self-confidence and 18% said they did not face any barriers to work at all.

 

2 – Presumptions and Preconceptions – Often people living with a disability are not spoken to as individuals about their needs and any challenges, a lot of things are presumed or preconceived. This may come from a place of fear from the employer for asking the wrong question, but it can do real harm to the candidate. These presumptions about what a disabled candidate is capable of, plus the unhelpful questions that come out of that can be extremely damaging to a person’s professional confidence. There are far more benefits to employing somebody living with a disability and employers need to understand this. Problem solving, creativity and exceptional project management skills to name just three.

The government this week (26th September 2023) has launched a campaign that should help such candidates. Titled “Ask, Don’t Assume” which aims to raise awareness of the everyday assumptions faced by disabled people and offers practical guidance for allies who are keen to do the right thing.

 

3 – Each Stage Of The Process Has Issues For Different People – Clearly every disability is unique, so each stage of the traditional recruitment process can be hugely challenging for individuals. Candidates with hearing problems will naturally struggle with telephone interviews for example, so employers need to be flexible about their processes so they don’t cause unnecessary anxiety for disabled candidates.

 

4 – The Added Time And Energy – Able bodied candidates don’t ever have to think about the added time and energy that not only goes into an interview, but also the role itself. Navigating the world of work with all of its complexities as a disabled person can be hugely daunting and there are so many obstacles and potential barriers, it can be difficult to overcome.

 

5 – One Size Does Not Fit All – The lack of awareness of a condition or disability and then making assumptions that are most often incorrect. Employers can be naive and lack the understanding that people can have varying levels of disability and therefore need in a workplace and one size does not fit all.

 

If you’re a disabled candidate looking for work or you are an employer that needs educating on the best ways to attract and retain disabled candidates, visit the Evenbreak website for more advice.

Disability, Disability at work, Marketing & PR, Recruitment, Recruitment News

HuHa PR is appointed by the first global job board for disabled people, Evenbreak.

HuHa PR today announced they have been appointed by Evenbreak, the first global job board for disabled people, by disabled people. The appointment will see the agency support the job board as it aims to grow awareness throughout the disabled community and throughout employers who want an inclusive workforce.

This summer was a particularly busy one for Evenbreak as the job board sponsored  a number of high profile events, including Para Swimming World Championships, the accessible Morph’s Epic Art Adventure London and it joined the Disability Ai Alliance. This July also saw  the launch of their first TV commercial by Evenbreak. The commercial stars some of the job board team as they reenact the challenges faced by disabled people when job hunting. The first TV commercial was aired in support of the controversially titled documentary Rosie Jones: I am a R****d, that raises awareness of ableist trolling.

Talking about the appointment, Evenbreak’s Head of Marketing, Jemma Redden said: “I’m really excited to be collaborating with HuHa on our PR strategy. Lisa and Victoria have a wealth of experience and they have already created some fantastic ideas to help us reach more disabled candidates and HR/talent teams.”

 

Lisa Hughes CoFounder of HuHa PR said: “Victoria Haley and I are honoured to be working with Evenbreak at such a crucial time, this summer they sponsored some amazing initiatives and it is our job to ensure the awareness raised through those events is amplified to those who count. Evenbreak joins the dots by introducing disabled people who want work to employers who want a diverse workforce. The work Evenbreak does is invaluable as they don’t just offer employment but offer a significant life changing experience for people of all abilities, offering opportunity and confidence. Evenbreak also has the influence to make the workplace inclusive for everyone.”

 

Disability, Disability at work, Events, News, Scotland

Calls for business leaders to “awaken Scotland’s forgotten workforce”

  • Glasgow Kelvin College to host Scots business leaders to learn about training and hiring people with additional support needs  
  • Scottish Autism, Down’s Syndrome Scotland and Lemon Tree Hotels to share best practice at inaugural conference
  • “Employing people with additional support needs shouldn’t be a CSR activity – it’s so much more than that”, says Glasgow Kelvin College’s Alastair McGhee
  • 20% of Lemon Tree’s employees come from marginalised segments of Indian society, including people with intellectual or physical disabilities, widows ostracised by their communities, and survivors of acid attacks

BUSINESSES across Scotland have been challenged to change their approach to training and hiring people with conditions such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism.

Next week, Glasgow Kelvin College will host its inaugural “Fostering Inclusive Employment Opportunities” conference, where Scottish companies will discuss best practice with global leaders in training and employment of people with additional support needs: Indian hotel chain Lemon Tree Hotels and its training partner, Muskaan PAEPID.

Scottish Autism and Down’s Syndrome Scotland will also share their insight and experience with the more than 45 delegates already signed-up for the conference, including representatives from major employers in Glasgow from a range of sectors.

Funded by The Scottish Government, this conference and visit is the next phase of a long-standing partnership between Lemon Tree Hotels and Glasgow Kelvin College, which was initially funded as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).

 

The partnership supports businesses in Scotland to learn how to break barriers to employment. Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray met employees at Lemon Tree Hotels in Delhi last year to discuss their pioneering approach to supporting people with additional support needs.

 

Alastair McGhee, Director of Business Development at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “When it comes to closing the disability employment gap, our colleagues in India have much they can teach us. There’s so much our country can learn and they are showing us what’s possible.

“Employing people with additional support needs shouldn’t be a CSR activity – it’s so much more than that. They need to be included as part of the workforce, in supervisory, important, visible roles, not confined to the back office.

“By embracing new approaches to inclusive training and employment, businesses will not only change perceptions, but awaken Scotland’s forgotten workforce.

“We’re excited to welcome individuals, businesses, organisations and community groups who are committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, helping to make sure that everybody who wants to work can find fulfilling jobs.”

 

Among the keynote speakers will be Aradhana Lal, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and ESG, at Lemon Tree Hotels, and Neera Chawla, Director, Muskaan PAEPID will speak on this successful working model for sustainable employment.

 

Aradhana Lal commented “We have driven this inclusion initiative since 2007 and have built a successful, sustainable diversity model that fits in with the Lemon Tree business model. We are very happy to share our best practices with potential inclusive employers in Scotland at the conference in Glasgow next week.”

 

At present, more than 15% of Lemon Tree’s employees come from marginalised segments of Indian society, including people with intellectual or physical disabilities, widows ostracised by their communities, orphans and abandoned girls, and survivors of acid attacks.

These employees work across all departments – from Front Office and Food and Beverage to Engineering and Finance — of the chain’s 92 hotels in 58 cities.

 

Neera Chawla added: “Training in work-related vocational skills must culminate in employment opportunities, which are extremely meagre for adults with intellectual disabilities. We recognise the critical role that such opportunities can play in enhancing their quality of life. With endless efforts, Muskaan has been able to develop sustainable models of employment for adults with varied levels of Intellectual and developmental disabilities across various industries.”

 

The conference takes place next Monday (September 18) from 9.30am to 2pm at Glasgow Kelvin College’s Springburn Campus. Businesses can RSVP here.

 

Awards, Disability, Disability at work, News

Bumper Recognition For Evenbreak With Accreditation and Award Shortlists

Evenbreak, the world’s first global disability job board run by and for disabled people, has seen a landslide of summer award shortlists and a prestigious accreditation, culminating in four potential trophies and national recognition for their dedication to being the very best in inclusive employment.

After two months of assessment, the business is proud to announce it has been accredited with an RNIB Visibly Better Employer Quality Standard. This recognises that the business has become a better and more inclusive employer for people with sight loss.

With only one in four people of working age with sight loss in employment and around 11,000 people with sight loss in the UK actively seeking work, Evenbreak is hugely passionate about improving these figures, both through its own business and also working with global businesses to support and employ the sight loss community.

 

Talking about the accreditation, Jane Hatton, CEO and Founder of Evenbreak, said: 

“All of the Evenbreak team have lived experience of disability, and we want to make sure we attract and retain the very best talent by removing any barriers they might face in recruitment and employment practices. People with sight loss are far too often excluded from the workplace, and we wanted to ensure we could access that pool of talent. The Visibly Better Employer standard helped us to check our processes for any barriers, and then let people with sight loss know that we are open to their skills.”

 

As well as this coup, Evenbreak has also been shortlisted for the following awards:

  • OnRec Awards 2023 under the Niche Job Board category which will be announced on 14th September.
  • UK Social Enterprise Awards 2023 – shortlisted for the category of Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award which will be announced on 30th November 2023.
  • The Global Recruiter UK Awards 2023 under the Best Innovation category which will be announced on 14th November.
  • The Go Global Awards 2023, held in Rhode Island, USA, which will be announced on 8th November

 

Evenbreak, Founder and CEO, Jane Hatton, added: “Our team works incredibly hard to open up opportunities for the disabled community in the employment market so to get credit and acknowledgment for this is hugely motivating for us all. We very much look forward to adding to our burgeoning trophy cabinet and supporting even more businesses and candidates going forward.”

For more information about Evenbreak, visit www.evenbreak.co.uk

Disability, Diversity & Inclusion, News, Recruitment, Tech

Evenbreak Joins Disability Ethical AI Alliance (DEAI) To End Data Bias In HR Tech 

The world’s first disability job board Evenbreak today announced it has joined the Disability Ethical AI Alliance (DEAI) in solidarity with leading global organisations such as IBM and the Australian Network on Disability, who are working to ensure HR tech is working for disabled people, not against them. AI Developers, Responsible Tech influencers and HR Leaders are seeking to address the biases built into AI Recruitment tools for age, gender, sex and race while still managing to discriminate against those people who also happen to have a disability.

The DEAI, is an informal thought leadership initiative that aims to persuade the global AI community and associated influencers that disability is a part of the human condition that matters. AI recruitment tools are now considered an organisations first line of defence in recruitment, using models that match ideal existing employees. However, due to video interviewing AI, qualified people are missing out on employment opportunities, because their disabilities do not match the blueprint. Someone with a speech impediment, due to Cerebral Palsy or facial disfigurement caused by an accident would not make the first round of recruitment.

By joining the DEAI Evenbreak is actively part of an organisation that aims to:

  • Help AI creators, developers and buyers to understand how the disability discrimination they are facing impacts on an organisation’s talent pool, workforce and customers.

 

  • Demonstrate that AI regulation is inadequate by increasing pressure on regulators worldwide to brain these AI tools into the realm of consumer protection.

 

  • Highlight a need for an HR accreditation that builds specialist knowledge on the impact of discriminatory AI recruitment practices.

 

  • Develop a Disability Ethical? AI resource library to help organisations worldwide to demonstrate that building technology which works for disabled people is ultimately better for everyone.

 

Evenbreak, Founder and CEO, Jane Hatton, said: “I was alerted to the work the DEAI is doing by a member of my marketing team, Titi Lucas.  Even though I have worked in recruitment and addressing the inequalities in the workplace for over 20 years, I am staggered by the amount of work to be done in AI to ensure disabled candidates are given an even chance of getting through the first round of recruitment. When employers consider equality in the workplace Disability continues to trail behind, Evenbreak will continue to be at the forefront raising awareness and fighting for this to change. Disabled people are premium candidates, who due to their living experience have fine-tuned project management skills, problem solving skills and innovative minds that the modern workplace needs to succeed. We can’t afford for new HR AI technology to let everyone down.”

For more information about Evenbreak, visit www.evenbreak.co.uk

 

Disability, Disability at work, News, Recruitment, Recruitment News

Evenbreak Launch TV Commercial With Creative Producers digiio

Evenbreak aims to readdress the statistic that disabled people are 30% more likely to be out of work by raising awareness of their job board and the opportunities available.

The world’s only global job board for disabled people, Evenbreak, has created their first TV commercial aimed at disabled looking for new or better work, highlighting the typical stereotypes disabled people experience on a daily basis and the challenges faced applying for work.

The commercial will air for the first time within Rosie Jones’ documentary ‘Rosie Jones: Am I a R*tard’ that explores ableism trolling, airing on Channel 4, 10pm tonight (Thursday 20th July 2023). The actors used in the ad are all Evenbreak employees, disabled people themselves, adding further authenticity to the message. The advert will also be in British Sign Language (BSL) and contain subtitles.

Evenbreak is a social enterprise run by disabled people for disabled people. The job board brings disabled candidates together with inclusive employers and introduces employers to premium candidates who enable them to create a representative workforce.

 

Jane Hatton, Founder of Evenbreak, is keen to support Rosie’s controversial documentary that has seen criticism from within the disabled community and contributors pull out due to the use of the word r*tard. Jane supports Rosie’s stance on confronting disability trolling online and making technology platforms accountable for this hate crime.

“I am delighted we can show our support to Rosie Jones who is a brave and essential commentator for disabled people. I absolutely understand why the R word can be so devastating to many disabled people. If you choose not to watch the documentary, that’s completely understandable (I think it’s actually aimed at non-disabled people to raise awareness – us disabled people already know the long-lasting and real damage ableism causes). And you can still catch our advert in The Last Leg the following evening! In the meantime, disabled people need to support each other in fighting ableism. However we choose to do that (and we’re all different), ableism is our common enemy.”

 

Featuring members of the Evenbreak team as candidates, the film demonstrates the challenges faced by disabled people applying for work, travelling and attending interviews, revealing the experiences of Mahomed Khatri who is blind, Rele Laguda a wheelchair user who has a spinal injury caused by a car accident and Rachael Salt who is deafened.

Evenbreak aims to readdress the statistic that disabled people are twice as likely to be out of work by raising awareness of their job board and the opportunities available. The job board also seeks to educate employers that because of their lived experience disabled candidates are natural problem solvers, astute project managers and above all determined. Essential skills for today’s innovative workforce. Evenbreak also trains mainstream employers how to support their disabled employees.

 

Speaking about the launch of the commercial, Hatton, added: “We have been working since 2011 to readdress the employment opportunities for disabled people, who are much more likely to be out of work than non-disabled people. The truth is because of their lived experience, disabled people are highly skilled project managers and problem solvers, as getting from A to B can be a challenge in itself.

“We wanted to create an awareness campaign that demonstrated how challenging the recruitment process can be, but also highlight how we can support disabled people to introduce them to inclusive employers as the premium candidates they are.

“Huge thanks to our team members Mahomed, Rele and Rachael who did a brilliant job acting the part of the candidates and Freddie and the team at digiio for volunteering their creative production services to enable us to create this commercial.”

 

Creative Director and Head of Film of digiio, Freddie Hutton-Mills, added:

“Since meeting the Evenbreak team a couple of years ago and hearing their purpose and passion that runs throughout the business, I have been desperate to find a project we could support them with so this advert has been a real honour. The team live and breathe their business and want to reach as many disabled people as possible to add value and support to their lives and to think we could be a part of that makes our job all the more worthwhile. The team were fantastic to work with and we hope this makes a real difference to their business.”

digiio is a creative agency that works with purposeful clients to grow their businesses and strengthen their presence in the markets that matter using insightful creativity and visual expertise.

 

For more information about Evenbreak, visit www.evenbreak.co.uk