A MAJOR event aimed at helping to lift the barriers that prevent disabled people from getting into the workplace is being held on Friday, November 14.

The seminar entitled, See the Ability Not the Disability, is being hosted by Gloucester MP Richard Graham and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and supported by Gloucestershire County Council.

It will be held at Blackfriars, Ladybellgate Street, Gloucester on November 14th and guests will include the Minister for the Disabled Mark Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean.

Mark Owen, chairman of the FSB in Gloucestershire and the West of England Region and managing director of Gloucester-based Moose Marketing and PR, said: “The whole FSB region is behind this campaign because we believe everyone deserves an opportunity and everyone deserves a job.”

“By engaging disabled people every business can help achieve the change that will give these people the confidence which can be truly amazing. It is also very rewarding for the businesses involved and I personally feel it makes you a better manager.”

Richard Graham MP said that despite the sharp decline in unemployment, including a welcome fall in jobless youngsters, people with disabilities were still finding it difficult to find jobs.

“There is a real barrier for people with disabilities,” said the MP.

“Some of it is about their lack of confidence and some of it’s about employers’ lack of faith or experience. But the opportunities for both to match the skills requirement is incredible – just look at GCHQ and autism.”

GCC last year launched its 30/30 Challenge as part of the Grow Gloucestershire campaign to help disabled young people get a chance to experience the world of work.

And from World Mental Health Day on October 10 up until the seminar on November 14, the county’s Forwards Work Clubs for people with health conditions and disabilities will be holding a series of events and providing examples of how businesses can engage with the disabled.

Ray Theodoulou, GCC deputy leader said “Gloucestershire is a great place to live and to work. We benefit from great leadership and the support we have received over the past couple of years has meant that we lead the way in the employment of disabled people.

"Every single person has something to contribute and disabled people want their contributions to be meaningful.

"We need employers to embrace difference and challenge the beliefs and the stigma that stop talented people from fulfilling their ambitions”

Richard Graham said: “The county council is amongst the most proactive local authorities on this issue and it is great that the Minister for Disabilities is now a Gloucestershire MP and that Mark Harper will be here to encourage and spread the word to other cities about Disability Confident events.

"My message to employers is be a bit brave and take on someone with a disability and you will probably be surprised.”

For more details on how to become involved in the seminar on November 14 contact Lesley Burgess on 01285 700801 or book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/11900-see-the-ability-not-the-disability-seminar-tickets-13847425021.

For employers wishing to have a free stand at the work fair event, phone 01452 501167.