To get some baseline information, we surveyed businesses in Clare and Limerick, asking them to rate their disability confidence, using indicators from Disability Confidence business standards in other countries.
We were surprised at the progress of some, and delighted at the interest in getting guidance and supports to improve.
View Disability Confidence Survey Headline Results (PDF, 463KB)
See how you rate, using this Disability Confidence Checklist (PDF, 127kB) There are ten elements to disability confidence.
We can get you started, help you improve any aspect of your disability confidence, or put you in touch with another business that can offer advice.
EmployAbility Clare is a specialist employment support service for businesses and jobseekers, supporting people with a disability or illness to find suitable work.
We are a free service, funded by Irish government. You can give us a call, email us or we can meet with you. In terms of helping you become disability confident, we offer:
Visit EmployAbility Clare website
Visit EmployAbility Limerick website
Did you know that you can avail of generous government grants and subsidies?
Disability awareness training grants
Up to 90% of cost of training is funded, up to €20,000 available
Wage Subsidy Scheme
€5.30 per hour towards wages if you employ someone with an illness or disability for 21 hours or more per week
Workplace adjustments and adaptation grants
Up to €6,348.70 to adapt the workplace or purchase specialised equipment for staff with disabilities.
Employee retention grants to help retain employees who acquire a disability.
Help with developing a retention strategy – up to 90% of the cost to a maximum of €2,500;
Implementing the retention strategy – up to 90% of the cost to a maximum of €12,500.
EmployAbility staff will tell you how to apply for grants and who to contact.
Disability is a broad term. It includes people with physical or sensory disabilities, people with mental health conditions, people who acquire a disability or illness, people with intellectual disabilities, people across the autism spectrum and people recovering from accidents.
EmployAbility Clare has an up to date list of disability support organisations and contact details.
We can give you practical advice on supporting people in the workplace with specific disabilities.
The See Beyond campaign is a joint initiative of Headway and Epilepsy Ireland who support people with two types of hidden disability – acquired brain injury and epilepsy. Watch or listen to some of their stories. Your workplace can support the See Beyond Campaign
Disability awareness training is one of the most important aspects and useful resource in becoming disability confident.
Very few businesses avail of this training. Your business can lead the way and reap the benefits.
90% funding is available for disability awareness training.
EmployAbility staff can help you source an accredited trainer and help you prepare a brief for the trainer.
EmployAbility Clare, Unit 7C Elevation Business Park, Ennis, Clare
Tel: 065 684 4007 | Email: karen@employabilityclare.ie
www.employabilityclare.ie
EmployAbility Limerick, 5 Mallow Street, Limerick
Tel: 061 493 095 | Email: info@employabilitylimerick.ie
www.employabilitylimerick.ie