Company Corner: The Disability Policy Centre

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Company Corner: The Disability Policy Centre

Breaking down barriers is what drives us here at Patchwork Hub. As such, we’re also dedicated to sharing the work of organisations that share our vision. Continuing our Company Corner series, we recently caught up with Celia Hensman from The Disability Policy Centre. The Disability Policy Centre is the first think tank of its kind in the UK, dedicated to the development and advancement of policy, ensuring that accessibility is at the heart of legislation.

What is The Disability Policy Centre?

The Disability Policy Centre is the first think tank of its kind in the UK, disabled-led, and dedicated to the development and advancement of policy, ensuring that accessibility is at the heart of legislation.

What are the main missions of your organisation?

Our mission is to develop policy solutions that break down barriers for disabled people, in every aspect of our society. We collaborate with others and lead the thinking to ensure that nobody is held back from achieving their potential. We are driven by developing practical solutions that deliver real-world results and we will change the lives of disabled people for good.

Why are accessibility and disability important to your company?

Accessibility and disability inclusion is at the forefront of the work that we do at The Disability Policy Centre. One in five people in the UK identifies as disabled or having a long-term health condition. For too long their voices have been under-represented. Together, we are changing this. Through the improvement of public services and policy reform, we are working to find practical solutions to change the lives of disabled people for good, ensuring that we prevent the repetition of avoidable situations for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions once and for all. Above all, we champion the philosophy that accessibility is a right and not a privilege.

Do you have any tips/advice on how to create a more inclusive working environment?

Our number one tip for ensuring the creation of a more inclusive working environment is effective CONSULTATION! The best people to tell you what disabled people want and need are disabled people themselves, it is not acceptable for disabled people to be spoken on behalf of, we must effectively communicate, consult and be more representative.

What do you think is the biggest challenge your industry will face in the next 5 years?

The biggest challenge faced by our industry over the next 5 years is ensuring that accessibility, disability inclusion and inclusivity remain at the heart of the conversation, considered with the highest importance. Through raising awareness, consultation and pushing forward the agenda we must not allow the conversation around accessibility and disability policy to be pushed to the back of the pile of priorities in policy discussion.

What advice can you give to organisations trying to become more accessible and inclusive?

Web-accessibility! We ensure that all the materials we produce and all methods of communication are accessible to all! There are so many great in-built features for accessibility in social media sites such as CCs and Alt-text that MUST be utilised!

Your thoughts on Patchwork Hub:

We have had the privilege of engaging with Patchwork Hub on a number of occasions, they are at the forefront of driving forward the long overdue change required in the employment sector. Their team of passionate, dedicated individuals are the perfect demonstration of how we should be moving forward as a society for better inclusivity and adoption of accessible practices!

Your motto

Putting accessibility at the heart of legislation. Engaging, creating, delivering and impacting.

Want to find out more about The Disability Policy Centre? Check out the links below:

The Disability Policy Centre’s Website

Follow The Disability Policy Centre on Instagram

Follow The Disability Policy Centre on Twitter

Follow The Disability Policy Centre on LinkedIn

Follow The Disability Policy Centre on Facebook

Subscribe to The Disability Policy Centre’s YouTube Channel

Published: 20th February 2023

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I found a job through Patchwork Hub – a senior level position with a leading financial services company. Throughout the process I felt supported by very dedicated people, both at Patchwork Hub and the company, and it was really refreshing to be able to openly talk about my health condition and not feel like I had to actively avoid the subject. Their support was simply invaluable.

Ditte Olsen

Patchworker

I applied for a job through Patchwork Hub and secured employment at a FTSE 100 company. That is so fantastic, not just for my bank account and CV but also my confidence. Without Patchwork Hub – both its accessibility and the support and understanding they offer– this would not have happened for me. A platform taking a proactive approach to raising awareness amongst employers, and approaching disability inclusion in a way where we're not othered, is transformational.

Rock Bell

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub are leading a critical culture change in work and health for employers as we move into our 'new normal'. Bringing together global businesses, charities and experts to create accessible work opportunities for those currently excluded by traditional work practises, and challenging assumptions around a hidden pool of talent.

Lord Dennis Stevenson

As a company committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, we are excited to be partnering with Patchwork Hub and are looking forward to further building our relationship with Beth and the business. This platform allows us to connect with highly-skilled individuals we might not otherwise reach. Patchwork Hub hosts a growing pool of very capable and diverse talent which offers businesses unique recruitment potential, while helping to strengthen a company’s social impact.

St James's Place

FTSE 100 employer

I secured employment with a FTSE 100 company through Patchwork Hub. I would like to thank Beth and the team for helping me through the recruitment process and being there to give advice and support throughout my placement. It was refreshing to be honest about my condition and know that the company was ‘disability aware’ and would be inclusive and understanding too. This meant that I was able to focus on my job, learn from my colleagues and feel part of the team. I would advise others to make the most of this unique platform, its placement schemes and the opportunities they provide.

Ben Pearse

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub is an incredible organisation, making great strides towards bridging the gap between employers and ‘the UK’s hidden talent pool’. This is not limited to the one million disabled people in the UK navigating access to traditional job roles but extends across society to all those facing barriers. Patchwork Hub is where employees, who are experiencing the challenge of skills shortages, can come to unlock this talent pool, equally supporting employers and employees, and enabling society as a whole to thrive.

Q5

Annabel Tonge, Q5 Director (Employer)

Patchwork Hub's work will be invaluable to anyone for whom conventional work is not feasible. Having been suffering with health issues over the last few months myself and coming from a family of carers, mental illness sufferers, and disability, I've experienced firsthand the impact Patchwork Hub has on real lives. As well as offering employment opportunities, the unique offerings of community and the upcoming freelancing platform really set Patchwork Hub apart. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how valuable work-from-home opportunities are, and Patchwork Hub has been ahead of the curve in their aim to provide working opportunities for as many people as possible.

Mia Testa

Featured Patchworker, Oxford University

Lauren Hazel Keane

Patchworker, Digital Marketing

Patchwork Hub is THE next-gen employment platform that's placing accessibility first - something that many companies in the same space should be looking up to.

WithVR

Gareth Walkom, CEO

Working with Patchwork Hub was an amazing insight into a startup leading the culture change in the world of work. Beth is extremely passionate and incredibly knowledgeable, and her start-up is providing critical information for companies looking to become more accessible and inclusive. The world of work has permanently changed following the pandemic, and Patchwork Hub provides a great insight into what the future of work should look like.

Lucas Jones

Digital Marketing Executive

I think Patchwork Hub's ethos is really remarkable and special. Especially during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on. during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on.

Natalie Vriend

Featured Patchworker, University of Oxford

Disability inclusion is not a chore or cost, it's a massive business opportunity. We're so thrilled to be working with Patchwork Hub as a disability-owned business and leader in this space, ensuring we are doing all we can to attract and retain diverse talent.

2Gether-International

Keevin O'Rourke, Managing Director | Startup Accelerator & Venture Fund (Employer)