The United Kingdom supports persons with disabilities
and their empowerment.
We focus on ability, not disability.
Employment provides economic independence, the pride of
work and improved wellbeing.
I am proud that under our government the number of
persons with disabilities in work has increased by
almost 1 million over the last 5 years alone.
And our radical welfare reforms, through Universal
Credit, will support more persons with disabilities
into work.
This creates huge opportunities for businesses. Having
worked in business for much of my life, I can tell you
that if you’re not recruiting disabled talent, your
competitors probably are.
Which is why we have partnered with employers to give
them the tools, knowledge and confidence to hire
persons with disabilities.
And this has delivered huge success. 11,500 employers
have signed up to date and we aim to almost double this
to 20,000 by next year.
Not only should businesses be run by persons with
disabilities, but they should be run for them.
So we work with 18 industry leaders who encourage
employers to make their sectors accessible and
attractive because persons with disabilities should not
be on the sidelines of society, but our beating heart.
As shown by the world’s reaction to the London
Paralympic games, where we cheered, celebrated and
commiserated along with every single Paralympian
involved.
I remember at the Winter Paralympics, 6 years later in
South Korea, sharing the joy of the mother of a
Paralympian who had just won gold, through a tearful
embrace.
I understood the sacrifice, dedication and work that
created that moment.
We will remove barriers to enable persons with
disabilities to submit themselves for elected office,
providing support such as transport and accessible
campaign material.
Because political leadership only succeeds when it
fully reflects society.
Our Inter-Ministerial Group will co-ordinate actions
across Government, and ensure we are implementing the
Convention and promoting the human rights of persons
with disabilities.
We are removing day-to-day barriers that persons with
disabilities face and so investing £300 million to make
our railways more accessible.
And we know that assistive technology is life-changing.
We are building on Convention commitments made at our
2018 ‘Global Disability Summit’ by providing assistive
technology to 500 million people by 2030, through a new
Global Partnership.
We will continue to work with our global partners,
businesses and especially persons with disabilities
themselves to empower them to meet their limitless
potential every single day.
