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New website for disabled
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 2nd Sep 2004.
A WEBSITE launched next week aims to make it easier for disabled people to find a job.
The Swindon Employers Forum on Disability gives advice to companies around the town to help meet the needs of disabled people.
Now its website will be unveiled to the public on Tuesday and could be make a real difference to disabled people in Swindon.
The forum is run by the Working for Opportunities Trust and charity manager John Green said there are three main areas to the site.
He said: "There will be a general area open to everybody.
"A section for employers to put vacancies for disabled people, and a section for employers for information and advice on employing disabled people."
Mr Green said the internet has proved a huge asset for the disabled looking for work.
He said it took out the need to travel from employment agency to agency looking for work.
The Working for Opportunities Trust already has a list of disabled people looking for employment in Swindon.
The need to become more disabled-friendly is more and more pressing.
Especially so because on October 1, the next stage of the Disability Discrimination Act is coming into force.
The act is being extended to include firms employing less than 20 people.
This will mean that many more companies will become legally obliged to give access to goods and services to the disabled.
A national survey commissioned by Lloyds TSB has found that more than half of small firms due to come under the act next month consider it to be irrelevant.
Indeed, so do six out of ten firms already subject to the legislation.
The small enterprise research team at the Open University found that while many firms believe extending the act to small businesses is ethical, they also consider it places too great burden on the firms.
Stephen Pegge, head of communications for Lloyds TSB Business, said: "What small firms are seemingly opposed to is the thought of more regulation.
"That alongside the cost of administration and compliance.
"Many feel that running their own business is hard enough, and the DDA adds to their burden."
Mr Green added: "Because we are coming up to October 1, it's appropriate that the website is launched now."
The launch will be at the Steam museum on Tuesday from 9am to midday.
Zurich Financial Services' community affairs director Chris Staples will give an introductory speech saying technological advances have made equality at work a reality, not a dream.
Anyone who would like to attend or find out about joining the forum can contact Mr Green on 01793 514055.
Alternatively, you can email admin.wfo@scamp.org.uk
The website address is www.swindonefd.org.uk
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