Why should we use Patchwork Hub?

The business case for disability inclusion and accessibility

Embedding disability inclusion and accessibility into your organisation makes business sense, as well as social and legal sense. 

Around 24% of the UK population are disabled, with this proportion trending upwards in recent years. This means that your organisation may be missing out on a significant number of talented employees, or holding back and unintentionally marginalising existing employees through unnecessary barriers in your ways of working.

The evidence is clear that disability-inclusive companies perform better overall. On average, they have higher productivity rates, higher growth, higher staff satisfaction and lower staff turnover (Accenture, 2023). Embedding inclusive, accessible practices across your organisation is a win-win.

At the same time, at around a quarter of the UK population, disabled people also represent a sizeable customer base. In the UK alone, the spending power of disabled people and their households is estimated to be £274 billion (Scope), known as the ‘Purple Pound’. And yet, many disabled people face barriers as customers, whether online or offline. Around 75% of disabled people encounter accessibility barriers in online shopping, while about 40% face them in person. Moreover, 70% of disabled people have said they wouldn’t return as customers to a place where they’ve had a bad experience. So there is a real business cost to inaccessible practices too.

By failing to meet  the needs of disabled people and their families, organisations miss out on an excluded talent pool and a huge customer base. 

Essential for some, beneficial for all

Creating a more accessible and inclusive workplace is vital for disabled and neurodivergent people, but the lessons of inclusive working can have real benefits for everyone in your organisation.

Carers

Those with caring responsibilities really benefit from accessible and disability inclusive workplaces. Just as disabled people may need some flexibility to work around fluctuating conditions and appointments, so may those with caring responsibilities.

Being a more disability-aware organisation can also help to demystify the lives and responsibilities of carers, shining a light on the barriers that they are working to break down for their loved ones in an often inaccessible world.

Short-term illness

Organisations who have embedded best practice for those with disabilities and long-term health conditions will also be best positioned to support any employees who experience short-term illness and ill health. 

Everyone

It’s a fact that people have different ways of processing information, communication styles and preferences around ways of working.

While making adjustments to these can be essential for some colleagues, everyone will benefit from an adaptable work culture that can accommodate different ways of working. 

This approach will help you to get the most out of your workforce and create a working environment where everyone feels that their way of working suits their personal circumstances.

So why should we use Patchwork Hub?

There needs to be a mainstream recruitment solution that is accessible and inclusive for all, and that’s where Patchwork Hub comes in.

Patchwork Hub is an award-winning disabled-led employment platform and jobs board. Our platform connects disabled and neurodivergent people, carers, and others needing accessible work practices to job opportunities with inclusive employers.

Alongside our jobs board, we also support employers across their whole accessibility and disability inclusion journey, from attraction and recruitment to retention of talent. We provide a range of training, consultancy and support packages to drive forward change within organisations.

At the same time, we’re a social enterprise and working with us helps to support our social mission: closing the disability employment gap and helping to create decent work for all who can.

By using Patchwork Hub you will:

• Attract a more diverse, skilled talent pool that you might otherwise miss out on.
• Increase the representation of disabled people in your workforce.
• Benefit from the unique skills, experience and perspectives that disabled and neurodivergent talent may bring to your organisation.
• Learn more about accessible and inclusive workplace practices.
• Improve organisational awareness around accessibility, disability inclusion, neurodiversity and healthier working.
• Demonstrate your commitment to inclusive practices to both customers and employees alike.

So what are you waiting for? There’s no better time to start using Patchwork Hub! 

To create your Patchwork Hub account, simply visit our sign up page.

Alternatively, if you wish to learn more about our services and what we have to offer, check out our Services Overview page.