The Launch of ‘Mind the Gap’ Report Highlights Urgent Need for Collective Action to Support People with Disabilities into Employment
Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong attended the official launch of thexa0‘Mind the Gap’xa0report, a collaborative initiative byxa0Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment (NIUSE)xa0andxa0KANE.
The report sheds light on the current landscape of employment for people with disabilities and calls for urgent, coordinated action to address the barriers they face in accessing and sustaining meaningful work.
Representatives from both organisations, pictured at the event, compiled first-hand evidence by engaging directly with trainees and individuals who have successfully accessed supported employment programmes.
Their findings reveal a stark reality: despite the existence of skilled individuals eager to work, many continue to be excluded due to inflexible or inaccessible recruitment processes.
“This morning’s discussions confirmed what we already knew – without synchronised, collective efforts from government departments, North and South, alongside NGOs and employers, we will remain in the deeply troubling position of having the lowest employment rate for people with disabilities,” said a NIUSE spokesperson.
Thexa0‘Mind the Gap’xa0report outlines practical recommendations and urges cross-sector collaboration to increase the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities in open market employment.
Key recommendations include:
- Reforming application and recruitment processes to be more inclusive
- Expanding supported employment programmes using proven models
- Strengthening partnerships across public, private, and voluntary sectors
“This is not just about inclusion,” said a representative from KANE. “It’s about fairness, equity, and recognising the untapped potential within our communities. Together, we can remove barriers and create a labour market that works for everyone.”
The report sends a clear message: supported employment works. Now is the time to act says Kellie Armstrong!
