Inclusion Daily Express -- Survey Shows Workers Don't Want Segregated Work Settings

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Survey Shows Workers Don't Want Segregated Work Settings
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
June 15, 2005

LONDON, ENGLAND--Most people with disabilities want to work alongside everyone else rather than in segregated settings.

That's the conclusion of a survey released Monday by Remploy Interwork, the United Kingdom's largest employer and employment services provider.

Researchers surveyed 200 people with disabilities about what kind of working environments they prefer. Fifty-eight percent said they wanted to work in inclusive settings with coworkers who do not have disabilities. Just 10 percent responded that they wanted to work primarily with colleagues that have disabilities or illnesses. Thirty-two percent said it did not matter to them; they just wanted a job.

"The survey shows clearly the work preferences of disabled people," said Remploy Chief Executive Bob Warner. "It also shows that one of the biggest barriers to employment is the confidence and skills of the individual."

Remploy, which employs 5,700 workers with disabilities in more than 80 factories nationwide, said the findings proved that the government's plans to move people off of incapacity benefits (welfare) and into work would depend a great deal on employers offering the right jobs.

The results of the survey were discussed this week at a conference on employment for people with disabilities in London. David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was the keynote speaker.

The government plans to help one million people get off disability benefits and into work over the next five years. Blunkett said the benefit system should be a "ladder of opportunity" to assist people to find jobs, instead of a "safety net".

Related:
"Disabled 'like inclusive offices'" (Daily Mail)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/05/red/0615b.htm
"Blunkett addresses conference on employment of disabled people" (Remploy press release)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/05/red/0615c.htm

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