This Is What I’ve Been Arguing for Years: Disabled Young People Are Being Written Off
As a fully qualified careers advisor and a disabled person myself, I have seen the challenges disabled young people face from both sides of the divide. For years, I’ve argued that too many young people with disabilities are being written off and told they cannot succeed. Now, a government report from the House of Lords Public Services Committee has confirmed what many of us in the field already knew: young disabled people are fully capable of thriving in work, but they are being let down by a system that lacks the resources, aspiration, and expertise needed to support them.
The report paints a stark picture of the barriers that disabled people face, beginning from their earliest years in education. Disabled individuals are continuously sidelined in ways that start in nursery school and extend through their transition into work. Despite government efforts to close the disability employment gap, it remains stubbornly at around 30%, a statistic that has hardly shifted in a decade.
The Urgency of Change
Many young disabled people have similar stories to that of Elliot Caswell, a 25-year-old from Newcastle with cerebral palsy. Elliot has faced significant challenges in securing both independent living and work, despite his desire and ability to contribute to society. He’s been left waiting for years for suitable accommodation and work placements. Elliot’s story isn’t unique—this is the experience of so many disabled young people across the UK.
Elliot’s difficulties, as documented in a recent BBC feature, highlight the broader issue: many disabled individuals are written off by a system that focuses on their limitations rather than their potential. As the report’s author, Baroness Estelle Morris, stated, “It’s almost a cultural change that is needed. People look at what disabled individuals can’t do, and they assume it’s too difficult or not worth the effort to support them.”
The government report further emphasises that, while there are pockets of excellence and outstanding employers, many others are either unwilling or feel unable to hire disabled workers. Employers who do create inclusive environments see the benefits, but the report shows that too many businesses are scared of “doing the wrong thing” and prefer to do nothing, missing out on a pool of untapped talent.
Seema Flower’s Perspective “As a fully qualified careers advisor and disabled person myself, I’ve seen this problem first-hand. Too often, disabled young people are written off by a system that focuses on their limitations rather than their abilities. But I know from experience that with the right support, disabled individuals can thrive in work and live fulfilling lives. It’s time for a cultural shift that allows young disabled people to be seen for what they can achieve, not what they can’t.”
At Blind Ambition, we’ve been advocating for years to promote accessibility and inclusivity across industries. The findings of this report underscore the urgency of creating more support systems that help young disabled individuals transition from education to meaningful employment and independent living. Elliot’s story is just one example of how the care system and job market are falling short for disabled people.
What Needs to Change
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has committed £18 million until 2025 to support internships for those aged 16-24 with special needs or disabilities. While this is a welcome step, it is clear that more needs to be done. The report stresses that early support and intervention are key to helping disabled young people access work when they leave education.
The barriers Elliot faced—contacting 25 organisations in search of suitable work placements with no success—should not be the norm. Disabled young people shouldn’t have to fight so hard for the opportunities they deserve.
Key Report Findings
The House of Lords report outlines the structural issues that continue to prevent disabled people from succeeding in the workplace:
- Employment services fail to deliver: Services like Jobcentre Plus are not adequately supporting disabled individuals, while newer supported employment programmes have shown promise but remain underfunded.
- Discrimination in the workplace: Despite legal protections, disabled individuals still face discrimination during recruitment and in their jobs. The current enforcement framework needs to be strengthened to ensure disabled workers’ rights are upheld.
- Lack of tailored careers education: Schools and careers services often set low expectations for disabled students and fail to provide the specialist, tailored support that can help these young people prepare for a fulfilling career.
The report also highlights examples of where things can work well. Supported internships and accessible apprenticeships have been shown to be highly effective in helping young disabled people gain the experience and confidence they need to succeed in their careers. However, these examples remain isolated and are at risk of being scrapped due to lack of funding.
Looking Forward
It’s time for employers, schools, and the care sector to come together to ensure that disabled young people are given the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. At Blind Ambition, we stand ready to support businesses in becoming more inclusive and accessible.
Employers must overcome their fear of “doing the wrong thing” and recognise that with the right support, disabled individuals can make valuable contributions to their teams. This change won’t happen overnight, but with government, businesses, and advocacy groups working together, we can create an environment where every young disabled person has the chance to live independently, work, and succeed.
Let’s make sure that young people like Elliot are no longer forgotten. If we all start to “Think Work First,” we can unlock the potential of a generation of disabled individuals who are ready and eager to contribute.
Contact Us For more information on how we can help your organisation become more accessible and inclusive, contact us at Blind Ambition. Email us at contact@blindambition.co.uk or call 020 3886 2020.
