Communities Minister has outlined plans for a
disability employment strategy which will see an additional
50,000 people join the workforce over the next ten years.
The Disability and Work Strategy for Northern Ireland has been
shaped and informed by those with lived experience of disability
with input from over 100 partners across the disability and
employment spheres.
The Strategy proposes the establishment of a Disability and Work
Council and includes four main themes which cover: personalised
employment support; skills, careers and educational transitions;
support for employers and enhanced engagement and reporting.
Launching a public consultation on the strategy in the Assembly
today, Minister Lyons said: “Northern Ireland's
performance on disability employment has not been good enough and
we must do better.
“I am therefore bringing forward a new Disability and
Work Strategy that will ensure more disabled people and those
with health conditions access, and thrive in, quality employment
in Northern Ireland.
“I want disabled people to know that my aim is to match
your ambitions for work, to create the opportunities for you to
succeed and to ensure that you are supported and encouraged at
every stage of your employment journey.”
Minister Lyons acknowledged the breadth of work already being
carried out across the disability and employment spheres and
committed to ongoing collaboration in achieving the Strategy's
goals.
The Minister said: “No single person or organisation owns
disability or employment. We will achieve the change that we want
to see by government, the voluntary and community sector,
employers and many others working together, taking collective
responsibility and challenging each other to do more and do
better.
“In bringing forward this Strategy, I am committing to
achieve better outcomes for disabled people.
“We will build on the good work that is already taking
place, we will change where we need to, and we will ensure that
all disabled people have the equality of opportunity to access,
sustain, and progress in quality employment.”
Scott Jackson, CEO of Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL),
a leading provider of employment services for people with
disabilities or health conditions, voiced his support for the
Strategy.
Mr Jackson said: “USEL fully supports the Disability and Work
Strategy's vision for a truly inclusive labour market in Northern
Ireland. We will work closely with the Department, employers and
partners to ensure this strategy delivers real change, breaking
down barriers, creating opportunities, and enabling disabled
people to thrive in work and society.”
Kainos, one of Northern Ireland's leading technology employers
and the region's first Disability Confident Leader, also welcomed
the launch of the Strategy.
Donna-Marie Gill, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Kainos, said:
"This Strategy represents an important milestone. As employers we
all have a role to play and at Kainos, we're determined to lead
by example.
“Whether it's through our Disability Confident Leader status, our
inclusive design principles, or the partnerships we've built
across the community, we've seen the difference collaboration
makes. We look forward to working together to build a society
where disabled people are fully included and supported to
succeed."
The Department for Communities will host a series of roadshows
and information events throughout the 12-week public consultation
period which runs until 5pm on 12 January 2026. The full
range of consultation documents and event registration can be
accessed http://communities-ni.gov.uk/dwstrategy
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Communities Minister pictured with Scott
Jackson, USEL CEO and Donna-Marie Gill, Organisational
Development Manager at Kainos as he outlined his plans for a
disability employment strategy.
- A copy of Minister Lyons' full Statement to the Assembly is
available at www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/oral-statement-draft-disability-and-work-strategy
