Flexible working and disability inquiry response

20 July 2026

Disabled people's experiences at work

We all want to feel secure, and know we can provide for ourselves. Some Disabled people can’t work, but for those who can, a job can be a route to greater security. Unfortunately, outdated and weird ideas about Disabled people still block many people’s careers.

A House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee inquiry recently asked what needs to change, to make work more accessible. 70 Campaign for Disability Justice members helped tell them.

Flexibility helps accessibility

‘flexibility allows me to prioritise my output rather than just survival.’

‘My disability fluctuates ... Being able to pace my work, take breaks when symptoms spike, and work at times of day when I am most functional is essential for sustaining employment.’

Flexible hours help workplaces work for everyone, whether we’re nipping to the dentist or collecting a poorly child. But employers who mandate rigid hours in forced locations can block Disabled people from work.

Flexibility lets Disabled people get on with the job, with tweaks like adjusting start times for treatments, splitting rest breaks, or working part-time to reduce the impact on their body.

The flexibility to work where we need to

The freedom to work remotely helps lots of us. The pandemic showed that doing a job well often matters more than where the work is completed.

Many Disabled people said commuting was a barrier, because transport is not accessible or the energy it takes harms them.

Reducing or removing energy-draining commutes can make work easier for Disabled people; for some, it is essential.

‘I can’t travel and work in an office due to my health condition.’

‘Hybrid working enables me to have a routine and take care of my disability. I have the option to go into the office if I want to, but it's not mandatory. ... Some days my disability is extremely painful, so working from home enables my job to be manageable and easier.’

When Disabled people do work on site or in offices, they’re often inaccessible, with issues such as missing or broken lifts, wrong-height furniture, and badly designed noisy spaces.

Around a fifth of Disabled people said they prefer to work on site sometimes, or all the time. These barriers must be addressed, so everyone can collaborate with colleagues and have as much choice as possible about their work location.

Being reasonable about reasonable adjustments

Most of us just want to get our job done well. ‘Reasonable adjustments’ help with that. They cover lots of the things discussed here – like adjusting work location, hours, flexibility and equipment.

Legally, employers must consider reasonable adjustments, but many still misunderstand them.

Disabled people recommended employer training, regular reasonable adjustment reviews, and improvements to schemes such as Disability Confident.

‘They treat adjustments like a rigid, bureaucratic compliance exercise or a special 'favour' rather than a foundational framework for productivity’

‘The best managers I've had are focused on getting the work done/outputs rather than rules/process, so will make adjustments quickly and without making a fuss.’

Designing in inclusion

Our workplaces are busy, vibrant places that employ all kinds of people. Designing workplaces around everyone’s requirements bakes inclusion in. Businesses that do, are building skilled teams doing amazing work.

‘Working flexibly from home has been a lifeline and has enabled me to choose how I work, when I work, and I am healthier than ever as a result.’

What happens next?

The House of Commons committee will collate all 44 responses to the consultation and publish its findings. Then the Government has 60 days to respond, and tell the committee how they will improve things.

They may decide to alter and improve laws, write new guidance for employers, or hopefully create some of the services you recommended. We’ll be keeping an eye on this, and we’ll let you know about the changes you’ve helped make.

If you’re not a campaign member, sign up below to keep up to date with what happens next.