Annual Conference 2025

Disability inclusion: Business as usual?

Co-hosted by EBRD.

Thirty years ago, the first disability rights legislation in the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) came into force and so by now disability inclusion should be business as usual. Yet, the Disability Employment Gap remains at almost 30% and too often products and services are not accessible to disabled consumers. And, while progress has undoubtedly been made, making adjustments and knowing what is reasonable can be as challenging as ever for employers. 

Further regulations may require employers to collect more data including on the disability pay gap. Recently announced welfare benefit changes may also mean that more disabled people will be seeking employment. But will this drive greater disability inclusion? And what else is needed to really move the dial and accelerate the pace of change?

We will be discussing all of this and sharing pragmatic advice on how to put the law into practice and what more employers can do to enable their workforce to thrive. And we will hear from the Government about its proposals to Keep Britain Working and ask what more is going to be required of employers.

Beyond employment, businesses are increasingly seeking to attract disabled customers – the “Purple Pound”. We ask businesses that have been doing just this what return on their investment they expect, why they have chosen to differentiate their brand in this way, and whether the new European Accessibility Act will lead to greater inclusion.

Confirmed speakers:

• Sir Charlie Mayfield.

• Rebecca Hitchings, General Merchandise Director, Boots.

• Fiona Daniel, CEO and Founder, FD2i.

• Caroline Bristow, Director, Cambridge School Classics Project.

• Georgina Colman, Founder and CEO, Purpl Discounts.

• Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum.

• Angela Matthews, Director of policy and research, Business Disability Forum.

• Bela Gor, Director of Legal and Content, Business Disability Forum.

• Lucy Ruck, Taskforce Manager, Business Disability Forum.

• Chantel Emery, Senior Advice Service Advisor, Business Disability Forum.

If you require this content in a different format, contact enquiries@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.