Why hiring disabled staff will boost your business, and how to do it well

Hiring and retaining disabled employees isn't just about fulfilling your social responsibility, it's also a smart business move. People living with disabilities bring valuable skills, fresh perspectives, and problem-solving abilities that can drive business growth. In fact, businesses that embrace diverse workforces often find themselves better equipped to serve diverse customer bases, including the £274 billion Purple Pound market.

During the recent How to Harness the Purple Pound event — part of the West Midlands Business Festival — at the Beacon Centre in Dudley, panelists from Beacon Vision, Staffordshire County Council, and Lionheart shared practical tips for businesses on how to recruit, retain, and support disabled staff. Here are the key takeaways:

Assume people can, not that they can’t

One of the most important shifts in mindset is to assume someone is able to complete a task until they tell you otherwise. Many disabled people are already navigating life innovatively and can bring that same creativity and resilience to your business. Avoid making assumptions about what someone can or can’t do, and instead have open, transparent conversations about what support they might need.

Use the Access to Work scheme to remove barriers

The Access to Work scheme, run by the UK government, offers practical support for disabled employees, including funding for equipment, travel costs, or additional staffing support. Charities like Beacon Vision can help you or your staff apply for Access to Work grants, ensuring that no barrier stands in the way of your employee's success. You can find out more about the scheme at www.gov.uk/access-to-work.

Make job roles and interviews more inclusive

When recruiting, ensure your interview process is genuinely reflective of the job role. For example, if the job doesn’t require public speaking, avoid making candidates do a presentation. Instead, you could set a practical task, such as writing a report or providing creative ideas, that better demonstrates their skills. If thinking on their feet is only required 20% of the time, consider giving 80% of the questions in advance to give everyone an equal chance.

Offer flexibility and retain your talent

Retaining staff is far more cost-effective than constantly recruiting. By offering flexible working hours, job shares, or remote working, you’ll open up opportunities for disabled staff to thrive. It’s also important to create umbrella policies that are flexible enough to meet individual needs. For example, a "family-friendly policy" could include carers, partners, or support animals.

The panel emphasised that empathy builds loyalty. Employees who feel supported by their employer are far more likely to stay with your business long-term, reducing turnover and creating a stable, experienced workforce.

Tap into new market insights

Disabled employees can provide valuable insights into the needs of disabled customers — allowing you to better serve the Purple Pound market. By embedding accessibility and inclusion into your business culture, you’ll naturally attract more diverse customers, increasing your profits and reputation.

Why it makes business sense

The key message from the How to Harness the Purple Pound event was clear: employing and supporting disabled staff is a smart business decision. It’s not just about being ‘nice’ — it’s about unlocking untapped talent, building customer loyalty, and accessing a massive market.

If you’d like support in making your workplace more inclusive or accessible, Beacon Vision and other local charities can help with training, recruitment, and workplace assessments. You can also contact Business Growth West Midlands for tailored support with business growth, recruitment, sustainability and more.

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