Business Case
The trigger for many associations to develop a Disability Equality Scheme comes from legislation and regulation. However, a Disability Equality Scheme needs to be understood as a tool to establish disability as a strategic business priority for housing associations.
An increasing number of public and private organisations have demonstrated the business benefits of building an inclusive approach to disabled people as customers and employees. Substantial evidence supports the view that disability is not just one of the diversity “strands” but an important strategic business priority. It reflects a compelling business case that recognises that” getting it right” for disabled staff and disabled customers leads to “getting it right” for everyone. We no longer think that an automatic door in a shop is a luxury or a specialised gadget for assisting disabled people; we see it as an improvement that benefits a wide range of people from delivery drivers, parents with young children or a wheelchair user.
A Disability Equality Scheme and action plan allows an association to consider its approach across the whole organisation and co-ordinate its response appropriately. Action taken to overcome discrimination and improve disability equality will deliver outcomes that help improve the performance of the whole organisation.
Examples from the private sector include:
