Disabled people in the UK remain considerably less likely to be in employment than non-disabled people.
The Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey data shows that between January and March 2026, the employment rate was 53.1% for disabled people and 82.2% for non-disabled people, giving a disability employment gap of 29.1 percentage points. This gap has remained roughly the same since 2018.
Research by the disability charity Scope provides some insight into the barriers behind this gap. Employees with disabilities are almost twice as likely to leave work as those without. A leading cause is that many employers fail to make reasonable adjustments – despite having clear legal duties to do so.
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that put disabled employees at a disadvantage. They also have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to protect the health, safety and welfare of all employees, including those with disabilities.
This course is designed to help employers meet these obligations. It explains how to identify and remove common workplace barriers, make reasonable adjustments and promote inclusion in the workplace. The course also examines disability discrimination, inclusive recruitment practices and how to handle disability disclosures appropriately.
By completing this course, organisations can strengthen compliance, improve recruitment and retention and build a more accessible, inclusive workplace for all employees.
Are You Aware of Your Responsibilities?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must take reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees. This duty includes considering the specific needs of employees with disabilities when assessing risks, making workplace adjustments and planning for emergencies.
The Equality Act 2010 also provides legal protection for disabled individuals and places clear responsibilities on employers. It requires employers to avoid disability discrimination and take reasonable steps to support disabled employees. This includes:
- Making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers in the workplace
- Avoiding discriminatory practices in recruitment, promotion and development
- Responding appropriately to concerns or complaints related to disability
- Creating inclusive policies and procedures that support equal access to opportunities
This course explains these legal duties and outlines practical steps employers can take to meet their responsibilities.
About This Training
This Disability awareness training course is designed for employers, managers and senior staff responsible for workplace arrangements or supervising employees with disabilities. It’s suitable for organisations in any sector looking to meet legal duties and improve inclusion in the workplace.
The course covers key topics such as the legal definition of disability, employer responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, and how to identify and remove common workplace barriers. It also explores inclusive recruitment practices, responding to disability disclosures, and considerations around induction, health and safety, and reasonable adjustments — all delivered with a focus on sensitivity and professionalism.
Completing this course helps ensure legal compliance, reduces the risk of discrimination claims and supports efforts to recruit, retain and include employees with disabilities across your organisation.
How Disability Awareness Benefits Your Business
Providing disability awareness training helps employers:
- Retain experienced staff by responding to disclosures and making timely workplace adjustments
- Make reasonable adjustments that remove barriers, most of which cost little or nothing
- Reduce the risk of uncapped disability discrimination claims, now the fastest-growing type of tribunal claim
- Widen recruitment by opening roles to skilled candidates that inaccessible processes screen out
- Meet health and safety duties to disabled employees, including risk assessment and emergency planning
