Hello everyone, and welcome back to another ERS blog, we feel sure you have enjoyed what you have read so far.
This blog will be about how myself and my colleagues present to businesses, because we feel passionate about disability rights, and feel certain that with patience, time, understanding, flexibility, and putting things in place, many businesses can employ a loyal person with unique abilities, not disabilities who will be a dynamo to any workforce. Many employers wonder how they can accomplish this, and this is where ERS comes into its own.
When we give a presentation to a business, this leads to an informal chat, which more often than not, turns into a genuine interest. The disability confidence scheme features very slightly, though we know already that this is only the tip of the iceberg. We have found that educating businesses to employ a disabled person needs to be explored. A disabled person doesn't need a massive adjustment, just putting well-being at the heart of their journey. When we have spoken to businesses previously, many have wondered how they could employ a person who is deafblind, or who has other complex needs, though like we've said previously, all they will need is understanding, one-to-one training through our online portal, and then you have a dedicated employer for the long term.
We have a young man who has gone through this process called Willl, who has a brain the size of a planet. He's a very talented delivery driver, he doesn't need a sat nav or similar, he just knows the way from one look at a map. He has autism, and prior to coming to us, was on a 0 hour contract at a well-known high street retailer. Will was discriminated and was literally a dog's body only allowed to re-fold clothes in the changing rooms, Will is capable of so much more. When we met Will and his mother she told of one experience where one woman asked Will how she looked in a particular outfit, Will was honest in his opinion, when you have autism, you have a particular way of doing, and sometimes saying things. The customer was most displeased by will's response and complained. Will was then relegated to stocking the shelves away from customers. This caused Will huge anxiety and stress affecting his well-being whilst the companies HR / PR team celebrated their inclusivity as an employer of those with disabilities. Will's mental and emotional state was shattered. His mother Chris, who works with special educational needs students at a local college, had heard we were giving a presentation about Ethical CLARITY and our Pathway 2 Employment scheme. She came to the presentation and then to our Bolton Office. Will told us about his horrendous experience at the retailer, and how he felt passionate about driving and meeting people. We offered him a place on our P2E scheme and with care and training Will graduated into a job as a delivery driver, which he was thrilled to accept, Will has never looked back. He always has a smile on his face, talks with a smile, and loves what he does now.
Will often says "If that manager could see me now"
Ethical CLARITY have drivers all over the UK and hands down Will is the most efficient in his deliveries, his paperwork and receives the most letters of thanks from our wonderful supporters.
We use Will's success story as part of our presentations to businesses, making clear that with very small changes we get very big results in long term employees and happy customers. It is amazing how businesses respond to this, it makes them see that they can do it too. One particular business Me to you Support, which is a care company in Blackburn, signed up the day of our presentation. The Managing Director knows firsthand about the challenges of disability. Me to you support was set up in memory of the MD's brother. He had complex needs with epilepsy, and he died of a seizure aged only 21, it was a very emotional meeting, we feel the best businesses are those that really care about their staff and their customers. This is where Pathway 2 Employment supports businesses to take the leap of faith with a disabled trainee, and with our help, we can help that trainee build their confidence their belief and become the loyal and dedicated employee that all great businesses want and deserve.
Similarly, Rob Stafford & Co an accountancy firm were thrilled with our presentation and embraced P2E developed Sean "the organiser" Garside an awesome administrator with Autisium. You can see Seans story here https://ethicalrecruitment.org.uk/sean-garside
In concluding this blog, educating businesses can take a lot of time, though with diligence, perseverance, and with a positive attitude, we can create an army of Wills and Seans for forward-thinking and caring businesses, we are certain of the fact that where there is a will, there's a way!!!
We hope you have enjoyed our blog, you can hear us talk more about employing disabled people on Bolton FM click on this page https://ethicalrecruitment.org.uk/pathway-2-employment and scroll down to the bottom.
We change lives and feel the vibes!
Sophia Mckie, Bsc, Msc
Head of Blind and DisABLED Development