Leeds City Council receives recognition for its commitment to support the disabled community in the workplace

Leeds City Council has gained Disabled Confident “Leader” status in recognition of its work supporting people with disabilities and long-term conditions.

The status has come through the council’s ongoing work with the Business Disability Forum and will see the council recognised by organisations and businesses around the city, as well as the wider community.

The status means Leeds City Council will champion the Disability Confident scheme, which aims to support employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace. They will look to encourage and support other organisations within local and business communities across the city to make the journey to be Disability Confident.

The news, which was announced this week at the council’s International Day for Disabled People event at Civic Hall, comes less than two years after they received Disability Confident “Employer” status.

Since being recognised with this status in January 2018, Leeds City Council has worked closely with the Business Disability Forum to demonstrate they have what it takes to be classified as a leader.

Their work together has helped with the council’s continuing efforts to make their workplace more inclusive and accessible, getting feedback from the Business Disability Forum as part of their continuing review and assessment process.

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said:

“We are determined to create an inclusive workplace for all at Leeds City Council, and our Disability Confident “Leader” statement is testament to that.

“The accreditation is testament to our team’s work to champion inclusivity and support for our disabled community across the city.”

Mariana Pexton, chief officer for strategy and improvement, said:

“Securing this status demonstrates the progress we are making in this important area and we should be proud of that. Our ambition doesn’t stop here though, we know we have more to do and we’re determined to do that.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council press office: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk