Yet millions of Disabled people are trapped in deep poverty because they’re prevented from working or finding an accessible job. As a result, more than 2.3 million Disabled people couldn’t afford enough to eat or to heat their homes last year. That’s a huge number – almost two-thirds of all people living in extreme poverty in the UK. 

Social security (benefits) doesn’t cover the hidden or additional costs of disability – things like electricity to run vital equipment and transport to get out of your home. And too many workplaces are unwilling to employ Disabled people. 

Change is possible

It’s other people’s negative ideas about what Disabled people can and can’t do, and how things like benefits and workplaces are designed, that hold us back. But we know we can change this as a country because we’ve made changes before. For example, more accessible buses and trains, and the right to request flexible working from day one in a job.

Taking action

We want the Government to work with organisations led by Disabled people to make workplaces accessible for many more of us and to improve social security so that everyone can live a decent life, whether they’re in work or not.

Join us in our call for the Government to improve:

• Opportunity
  

  We want the Government to support employers to create more accessible jobs and to ensure Disabled people have voluntary access to good quality employment support, without the threat of sanctions.

• Security
  

  We’re calling on the Government to guarantee a decent standard of living for Disabled people, in or out of work, that properly takes into account the additional costs they face. Improve social security so that everyone can live a decent life, whether they’re in work or not.

• Respect
  
  The Government should lead the way in building a society that respects and values Disabled people and supports the development of local Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).

Read more details about the campaign in this downloadable PDF format