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SIA awarded Disability Confident status

Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is delighted to announce that they have been accredited as a ‘Disability Confident: Employer’ by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Disability Confident scheme is currently replacing the old ‘Two Ticks’ scheme, under which JobCentre Plus gave an accreditation to employers who were ‘positive about disabled people’.  The new scheme has been designed by employers and disabled people’s representatives and is supported by the DWP.  It is a voluntary scheme and aims to help employers become more effective in recruiting, employing and retaining disabled people – something SIA passionately believes in and supports.

Each segment of the new logo is significant.  The old Two Ticks logo has been incorporated in the new design and the open padlock is to demonstrate the ‘unlocking of potential’.  The picture of two people signifies ‘You’re in good company’ and is to demonstrate the strength of the movement itself and the thought bubble picture is to encourage businesses to think differently and find new perspectives.

Although the Two Ticks scheme will be recognised until 2017, organisations have already started to commit to the new scheme.  There are three levels to the new scheme, designed to support employers as they move towards being fully Disability Confident:

  • Level 1 – Disability Confident: Committed
  • Level2 – Disability Confident: Employer
  • Level 3: Disability Confident: Leader

SIA has already been accredited as ‘Disability Confident: Employer’ and we intend to be recognised as a ‘Disability Confident: Leader’ later in the year.

The aim is that those companies achieving the highest level of ‘Disability Confident Leader’ will be able to influence the way other businesses operate, challenge attitudes and develop an increased understanding of disability in the workplace.  More information about the Disability Confident Scheme can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign

If you have any questions or comments regarding Disability Confident, please contact the SIA’s Vocational Support Manager, Dave Bracher on .