Bridging the global disability divide
“The focus on wellbeing and flexibility in international assignments – as well as in the wider world of work – is an ideal opportunity for leaders, talent managers and global mobility to reconsider how they can best support people with physical disabilities achieve career goals through international moves” says Ruth Holmes
in the Relocate Global digital magazine
“Globally, around one in four people have a physical disability. In the US alone, the number of people with disabilities who are either underemployed or unemployed is an estimated 10.7 million. Legislation like the UK’s Equality Act 2010 theoretically improves access to employment, protects wellbeing through employer duty of care and prevents discrimination. Yet, a number of recent reports highlight the ongoing opportunity gaps and income disparities – including in senior-level roles – for people with disabilities and chronic physical conditions.
In June, Lancaster University’s Work Foundation identified that 27% of disabled workers (1.3 million) in the UK are in severely insecure work. This compares to 19% of non-disabled workers. Such inequality is reflected at all levels. Disabled people in senior positions are more likely to experience severely insecure work than their peers. Women and people of colour with physical disabilities are also often doubly impacted. Interestingly, people with disabilities receive more training than people without disabilities, suggesting skills and knowledge is less likely an obstacle to career progression.”…