Young disabled denied jobs

Rights at work for the disabled young?

Young disabled people are still facing serious discrimination in the workplace, a study suggests.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) survey found that one in six young people with a disability had been turned down for a paid job because of their condition.

We must do everything possible to ensure that young disabled people... can participate fully as equal citizens

Bert Massie
DRC chairman

Nine out of ten thought it was harder for them to find work than non-disabled people.

And 30% thought they would earn less at age 30 than their non-disabled counterparts.

The report comes as the government is weighing up measures to encourage more disabled people to rejoin the workforce.

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has already increased the tax credits to disabled people who take up jobs, and may be considering further changes when he announces the Pre-Budget report in around two weeks time.

Currently, disabled people of working age are five times as likely as non-disabled people to be on benefits.

There are more than one million young people under the age of 24 who have a disability, according to the DRC.

Discrimination

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, companies with over 15 employees have a legal duty to try and provide suitable accommodation for disabled people - and it is illegal to deny someone a job on the grounds of his disability.

Disability Rights Commission chairman Bert Massie said:

"We must do everything possible to ensure that young disabled people enjoy our vision of society where everyone can participate fully as equal citizens.

"A significant number have suffered discrimination at the work which may be illegal. This has to change."

Mr Massie's powers to enforce the DDA, however, are limited.

Collective action

The government is debating whether to combine the roles of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Disability Right Commission, and the Commission for Racial Equality.

The changes might include more powers to bring collective actions against companies and individuals for discrimination, rather than relying on the workings of the Industrial Tribunal system as at present.

The minister for the disabled, Maria Eagle, may reveal more details of the plans when she addresses the Disability Rights Commission's annual conference in Manchester on Monday.

The survey was conducted by NOP in England and Wales. Of the 157 young people between ages 15 -24 taking part, 138 had a disability while at school and 19 became disabled after leaving school.