Disability Confident – Top tips and frequently asked questions

The Disability Confident scheme – Top tips and frequently asked questions

Disability Confident – Top tips

1. Find a senior sponsor. Having a senior sponsor from the start is very helpful to:

• encourage participation from the organisation, 

• facilitate two-way communication between C-suite and rest of organisation, 

• facilitate access to key people and groups, 

• access advice on areas that you may not be so familiar with. 

Download and share our presentation on the benefits of participating in Disability Confident.

2. Involve people with different disabilities from around your organisation. This will help give you:

• the bigger picture of your organisation, 

• valuable insights into how disabled people can be affected in all areas of your business, 

• suggestions for improvements. 

3. Consider asking for input and feedback from the start and decide what help you need before you ask. Useful groups include:

• disabled customers and clients,
• external organisations who support disabled people

4. Record your progress and evidence as you go. This will save your time in the longer term.

Our video has more information.

5. Prepare for the future. Make sure that other people in your organisation have access to the folders with your plans, evidence and registration details. You may not be in the role or organisation when this evidence is needed to progress to a new level, or when re-validation is due.

6. Use the self-assessment template in Level 2 to help guide you. You will need to complete it before you apply for Level 2. The earlier you start using it, the easier completing Level 2 will be for you. It is also a useful tool during Level 1, even if you are not yet planning to complete Level 2.

7. Take your time. Approach this as an opportunity to building your organisation’s disability inclusion from where you are now, not a tick-box exercise.

Disability Confident – Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum number of employees to participate in Disability Confident?

Any employer can participate – you only need one employee. The scheme is aimed at encouraging organisations of all sizes within the UK to join and become more disability inclusive. 

What ‘evidence’ can I submit for the Disability Confident scheme? 

When the Disability Confident scheme asks for evidence, that can be anything that demonstrates what you are trying to prove. 

For example, a relevant page from your recruitment policy, a checklist of disability organisations and agencies when sending out job advertisements. 

Business Disability Forum Members and Partners can contact our Advice Service for guidance on submitting evidence. 

Where can I find examples of what to do?

We have examples throughout this resource. These are in addition to examples and case studies on the Disability Confident website. 

Can an organisation achieve Level 3 without completing Levels 1 and 2?

No. Every organisation has to work through all the levels.  

You can work through them at a speed that works for you. If you meet all the criteria within the 3-year time limit you can apply to move up a level when you are ready.

We are struggling to complete a level within the timeframe – what do we do?

If you need longer than three years to progress to the next level, you can renew your registration to remain at your current Disability Confident level for another three years.

Should we start work on the commitments and actions before or after we register for each level?

You need to meet the requirements of the level before you can register for it.  

In the same way that you cannot say you are a grade 6 pianist until you have passed the grade 6 piano exam, you cannot say you are a Disability Confident Employer or Leader until you have successfully completed all the requirements of those levels.

Do we need to complete all of the levels?

No. Ideally, your organisation will work through them all, but it is not mandatory.  

Disability Confident is a voluntary scheme with benefits for both disabled people and organisations. You can work towards the level that works best for you. 

You can read about how Business Disability Forum supported Member XPS through its Disability Confident Journey in this case study.