Fashion industry probe exposes failure to nurture workers

BOSSES who fail to attract and nurture disabled people could lose out on top talent, campaigners say.

Inclusivity was thrust into the spotlight after Covid and many employers woke up to the need to draw on skills from all of society.

However, some still lag behind in identifying, supporting and promoting workers with disabilities, groups warn.

JamesTaylor, strategy director at disability equality charity Scope, said: “Too often disabled people aren’t valued for their skills and experience or are sidelined and not given the opportunities to thrive.”

Earlier this year, the British Fashion Council’s first diversity, equality, and inclusion report found only 39% of disabled people felt their firm provided an environment where their careers could progress.

Just 41% in the industry were confident they were given the same opportunities as their peers and only 51% believed their opinions were valued by colleagues and managers. As a result, only 41% felt like they could voice differing opinions without negative consequences.

James said: “These figures show us how far we need to go and where improvements need to be made.

“We know that far too many disabled people find it very difficult to get their foot in the door and, as this report acknowledges, historically, disabled people haven’t been regarded as part of the beauty and fashion industry.”

The fashion council report said: “It doesn’t encourage people to self-identify and to communicate what they need.

“Instead, it makes subtle requests for people to mask their disability, and sometimes even creates a dichotomy where some individuals don’t feel ‘disabled enough’, highlighting a fundamental misunderstanding of what disability actually encompasses.” Of the 1,529 people

who took part in the survey, only 6% identified as disabled. Ninetyfour per cent said they were non-disabled, or at least not disabled right now.

That is out of sync with the UK population, which has 16 million disabled people – equal to one in every six.

The report added: “So, why is fashion so under-populated with disabled people? Or do they not feel safe, comfortable, or supported

to acknowledge their disability?” There are limited disabled-led brands in the UK that offer clothes that are both accessible and imbued with personality.

Primark has launched four adaptive underwear items.

Meanwhile, Legally Blonde actress Selma Blair, 51, who has multiple sclerosis, has created an adaptive line with shopping channel QVC.

The Daily Express has partnered

with Scope for its second Disability Equality Awards, at The Kia Oval in South London on April 25.

Scope offers employment support to companies.

James said: “Lots of businesses want to take steps to better support disabled colleagues.

“Recognising the issue is the first step on a journey to become more inclusive.”