Campaigning on disability
There are a number of days coming up surrounding disability in
the next three months so September is a good time to starting
organising around these events in the workplace. There are 1
million disabled people who do not have a job who want to work so
use the days as a chance to promote disability equality and
rights.
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October. People with
mental health illness have the lowest employment rates of all
impairment categories, with only 20% in work. This day is a good
opportunity to highlight to members employers’ obligations under
the Disability Discrimination Act in respect of mental health
issues and to promote Disability Equality
Champions.
More information on World Mental Day is available at the Mental
Health Foundation’s website - http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/wmhd/. For
information on Disability Champions refer to http://www.disabilitychampions.com/
Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the
world - and that number increases in every region every day. In the
UK alone, more than 60,000 people are living with HIV and more than
7,000 more are diagnosed every year. Ignorance and prejudice are
fuelling the spread of a preventable disease.
World AIDS Day, 1 December is an opportunity for people
worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. More
information on the Day is available at http://www.worldaidsday.org/index.asp
World Disability Day on 3 December is a day to celebrate the
achievements of disabled people and to campaign for improvements in
rights for disabled people throughout the world. Only 50% of
disabled people of working age are in employment in this country,
compared to 81% of non-disabled people and many disabled people who
do work find they are confined to jobs for which they are
over-qualified and have no hope of progressing. And remember
many people develop a disability whilst they are at work so it can
affect anyone.
It is important that Representatives ensure that employers
are complying with the Disability Discrimination Act, have a
comprehensive and effective equal opportunities policy that covers
disability and that disabled members are aware of their rights at
work.
More information on Negotiating on Disability Equality is
available from your Regional Office or Officer.
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