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Support 4 Sight
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DCC Employers Roundtable with the Mayfield Review 10.6.25
Sharon Schaffer, CEO of Support 4 Sight and Visionary employment representative, recently represented Visionary at the DCC Employers event – a gathering that brought together a diverse group of organisations, from corporate giants like Tesco and GSK to voluntary sector leaders, to discuss improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, as part of the Mayfield Review.
The Mayfield Review, formally titled the “Keep Britain Working Review,” is an independent initiative led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, the former Chair of John Lewis, to investigate how UK employers and the government can collaborate to reduce health-related economic inactivity and promote healthy, inclusive workplaces. The review’s goal is to make concrete recommendations to the government on how to support people with long-term health conditions and disabilities in returning to and staying in work
The event, hosted by RNIB and facilitated by the Disability Charity Consortium (DCC), proved to be a valuable platform for discussion and collaborative thinking. Attendees shared best practices in disability inclusion, with the Chair, Fiona Miller from the Mayfield team, including proactive recruitment strategies and the implementation of accessible workplace environments. It was encouraging to see a strong collective commitment to breaking down barriers and challenging outdated perceptions.
Several key issues were raised. Long waiting lists for Access to Work (ATW) support and the recently proposed benefit reforms were highlighted as significant disincentives for disabled individuals seeking employment; not only hindering jobseekers but also discouraging employers from pursuing more inclusive hiring practices.
The group also touched on the idea of incentivising employers – perhaps through measures such as National Insurance Contribution (NIC) reductions – to encourage the recruitment of disabled employees. While there was no consensus on the pros and cons of incentivisation, the discussion underscored a willingness to think creatively about policy solutions that could drive real change.
Despite the protections enshrined in the Equality Act 2010, it was acknowledged that many employers still operate under misconceptions and fear when it comes to disability in the workplace. There remains a gap between understanding what “doing the right thing” looks like and putting it into action. It was agreed that greater awareness is needed around the types of support available, including what constitutes a reasonable adjustment.
This event is just one step in an ongoing dialogue. Another meeting is expected in the coming months, leading up to a final session in October, where a draft report on the Mayfield Review will be presented for discussion. It is hoped that with continued collaboration and momentum, there is a real potential to reshape the employment landscape for people with disabilities.
Visionary is proud to be part of these important conversations and very grateful to Sharon for taking the time to attend on behalf of our members. We will keep you updated as the work progresses.
#Support4Sight #SightLoss #Employment #Disabilities
