A HOST of Monmouthshire businesses have signed up to a new scheme aimed at getting more disabled people into work.

The scheme follows an event in Chepstow which highlighted the importance of challenging negative attitudes to disability in the workplace and the benefits gained from employing disabled people.

Around 30 businesses from Monmouthshire attended the free Disability Confident networking day at St Pierre Marriott Hotel and Country Club.

Monmouth MP David Davies, who organised Friday’s 'Reverse Jobs Fair' in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said he was delighted that more than half of the businesses involved have already pledged to become disability confident committed employers.

Launched in 2013, the government-led scheme has three levels and encourages employers to attract, recruit and retain disabled talent.

“Disabled people make up almost 20 per cent of the working age population, many being highly qualified individuals,” said Mr Davies.

“But businesses can be reluctant to employ them, missing out on a valuable source of potential and skills.

“This voluntary initiative aims to positively change attitudes, behaviours and cultures, not just within the workplace but in business networks, their supply chains and communities,” he added.

Guest speakers included Abergavenny resident Daniel Biddle - the most seriously injured survivor of the 7/7 London bombings who now runs his own access consultancy firm.

Monmouthshire-based British para-equestrian dressage rider Julia Horton also attended, as did multiple sclerosis sufferer Trevor Palmer from Newport, who is the founder of ResponsABLE Assistance, worldwide initiative promoting equality for disabled people.

Each person shared their personal stories and called on employers to invest in people with the skills and capabilities to do the job – irrespective of disability.

After the speeches came a jobs fair, which offered employers the chance to talk to a range of disability organisations and stakeholders such as Remploy, Action on Hearing Loss, Shaw Trust and MIND Monmouthshire.

Delegates were then given a presentation on Access to Work, a DWP programme focused on helping to overcome barriers disabled people may encounter in employment, before hearing from HRA Disability Lead Karen Harry on the positive experiences of Gwent Police as a Disability Confident employer.