Employment & Social Security says it helps find work for disabled staff

The claim comes from the Jersey Employer's Network on Disability as it prepares for its annual general meeting.

Employers are being accused of holding pre-conceived ideas about the amount of effort needed to employ disabled people.

The Employment & Social Security Department said that the Special Needs Employment Board is working to help disabled people be properly trained and move into open employment.

Work ready

The Jersey Employer's Network on Disability aims to help disabled people to get the same employment and development opportunities as their able-bodied colleagues.

The chairman of the network, Sally Gallichan, said she believed many people are unaware of the amount of assessment, disabled people go through before they are put forward for work.

She said a new assessment called the "readiness for work criteria" tests skills like communication to ensure employees are prepared and equipped to work.

The Employment & Social Security Department said: "In 1996 the States approved a proposition to co-ordinate the services that are provided for disabled people.

"It was agreed that proposals should be developed for a co-ordinated strategy which were aimed at improving opportunities for disabled people.

"In response to this a new board was set up - The Special Needs Employment Board.