Launched in 2001 with funding from Unum, the Beginnings campaign aims to help one quarter of the UK's disabled jobseekers find work by 2010. Blending the expertise of public, private and voluntary sectors, Beginnings is helping improve the lives of thousands of people throughout the UK.
However, while the Disability Discrimination Act shows a commitment to help the UK's 750,000 unemployed disabled people, there is still much more to do. In particular, the private sector must ensure all people can access and enjoy its goods and services.
Joanne Hindle, Corporate Services Director, Unum said:
Unum has much information relating to the causes of disability. We have been sharing this information with the Department for Work and Pensions, and believe that if we, other employers and services providers share our learnings, we will be able to bring about positive change.
In March 2007, the 6th Beginnings event was held at the British Library in London. Chaired by Baroness Sally Greengross, Patron of Beginnings, the event played host to leading experts and delegates discussing the challenges facing disabled jobseekers today.
Further information can be found in our Beginnings Literature section.
Alongside Unum and other major organisations, partners in the Beginnings project include the Health and Safety Executive, Engineering Employers' Federation, Working Links and Disability Alliance.
Unum is a Gold Card Member of the Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) which is an organisation whose principal aim is to help employers demonstrate their commitment to the employment of disabled people.