1. Disabled people in the workplace championed by award-winning consultancy
Government Minister praises ‘inspirational and motivational’ work
Government Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, has praised Recruitment Industry
Disability Initiative (RIDI) Award winner Delsion, for its ‘inspirational and motivational’ work in
promoting the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace.
His comments were made at a presentation at the House of Commons last week where he also
outlined the Government’s commitment to halve the disability employment gap. The event, titled
‘Our Vision for Disabled Employability within Wales’, was hosted by Carolyn Harris, MP. Delsion
founder, Julian John, was headline speaker. During his presentation, he showcased RIDI’s ‘5 Steps to
Disability Confidence’ video.
Based in Wales, Delsion is a Human Resources, Learning & Development and Disability & Inclusion
Consultancy. The organisation was awarded the ‘Disability Confidant’ accolade at the 2015 RIDI
Awards - which was offered in partnership with the government’s Disability Confident campaign - for
its work positioning Swansea as the UK’s first Disability Confident employer city.
The consultancy was established to promote disability inclusion in the workplace after its founder
experienced long-term unemployment after becoming disabled with brain damage.
Responding to the Minister’s endorsement, Julian John, founder of Delsion, commented:
“When we founded Delsion, we had a vision to support and promote a more effective approach to
disability inclusion within employment. Disability is all around us, but what we don’t have is
disclosure. My career background in Human Resources, coupled with my personal experience of
being long-term unemployed through disability, led me to create a consultancy that would assist
disabled people into work and promote the benefits of engaging with disabled talent.”
“Our success to date has been phenomenal. We are engaging with employers including the DWP,
Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Royal Mail. Job Centre Plus has reported increased engagement
around disability employment and we are working with the Welsh Government on the Welsh
Disability Charter. We were also awarded RIDI’s Disability Confident Award at this year’s ceremony.
To be in a position where we are speaking at the House of Commons, being recognised by Justin
Tomlinson, and, most importantly, making a real difference to the lives of disabled jobseekers, is
fantastic.”
“We believe that this is the greatest opportunity and step-change to providing sustainable
employment opportunities to disabled job seekers in the UK and I’d urge all employers and
recruiters to get involved with a campaign if given the chance.”
Kate Headley, Chair of the Judging Panel at the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards
(RIDI) & Development Director at the Clear Company said:
“I am delighted, although not altogether surprised, that Delsion’s campaign has received
endorsement from the Government Minister for Disabled People. Thanks to the passion of its
founders, Delsion has really raised the bar when it comes to action to increase the inclusion of
disabled professionals. The RIDI judging panel were awestruck by the achievements of this small
employer, facing personal challenges, which exceeded the goliath task of creating a Disability
Confident Swansea event from scratch. Delsion presents an example of what can be achieved with
tenacity, enthusiasm and drive – and I am sure that other organisations have been inspired to follow
its example.” - Ends