Today, the Equality and Human Rights Commission published a report that highlights the aspiration gap for some young people and identifies that careers education and guidance is failing disabled young people.
Radar, the disability rights organisation, is concerned about the findings that confirm what disabled people have been telling us. Disabled young people have the same aspirations as non-disabled people yet are twice as likely to be not in education, employment or training.
Radar wants to see action to break down barriers to young disabled people realising their full potential, through inclusive education, positive role models, access to work experience and ongoing, flexible support.
Liz Sayce OBE, Radar’s Chief Executive, comments on the report:
“This report gives hard evidence that positive outcomes of careers education and guidance largely pass young disabled people by. Disabled young people are still hemmed in by stereotypes of what they can and cannot do. It is imperative that careers advice and guidance breaks out of the stereotypes and encourages disabled people to aim high.”
“Radar is passionate about support and leadership development for young disabled people and offers all-important role models and peer support to offer everyone images of the possible. This year alone we have provided a range of events aimed at raising the aspirations and developing leadership potential amongst young disabled people: Young Disabled Leaders, Young Ambassadors in West Yorkshire, BME London Leadership Development Day and a personal development programme for young disabled people in Hertfordshire.”
For more information about, and find out how to participate in, our leadership events for young disabled people and disabled people of all ages, go to www.radar.org.uk
For more information, contact Marije Davidson, Radar Public Affairs Manager, at marije.davidson@radar.org.uk or 020 8463 11 22 ext 0964.
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Editor’s Notes
- Radar (Royal Association for Disability Rights) is a pan-disability organisation led by people with lived experience of disability or health conditions. Radar’s vision is a just and equal society whose strength is human difference. Radar’s mission is to enable individuals, networks and policy-makers to do things differently – and better. www.radar.org.uk
