Majority of employers struggle to know where to source disabled talent

The Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) has launched RIDI 100: a directory of recruitment service providers which are committed to the inclusion of disabled jobseekers. The introduction of the resource comes in response to a survey of internal hiring managers which found that 70% of employers struggle to know where to source disabled talent. The same study found that just 11% of HR professionals feel ‘confident’ in knowing where to find candidates with a disability.

Established in 2011, RIDI is a not for profit organisation which is working to remove the barriers that disabled individuals face when seeking employment. Recruitment organisations which wish to achieve RIDI 100 status must currently hold a minimum Disability Confident Level 1 status, or be working towards it.

RIDI 100 partnership enables inclusive recruiters to have year-round association with RIDI at an entry level cost. Benefits include: being able to use the RIDI 100 partner logo in brand collateral, being searchable on the RIDI website, invitations to select events throughout the year and preferential rates with RIDI partner organisations.

Executive search firm Hoggett Bowers has been confirmed as the first RIDI 100 partner.

The next event for RIDI partner organisations is a roundtable on Enabling Technologies for Disabled Talent to mark Dyslexia Awareness Week. The event will be held on the 3rd of October and will be hosted by RIDI Gold partners, Guidant Group and The Clear Company, in conjunction with RIDI Silver partner, Recite Me.

Following the launch, Kate Headley, spokesperson for RIDI and subject matter expert, commented:

“RIDI has one purpose: to break down the barriers faced by the millions of disabled people who are entering or progressing through the job market. We have long known that businesses, while open to hiring disabled individuals, often feel that they ‘don’t know where to start’ when it comes to engaging with disabled candidates. However, our latest research underlines the fact that many hiring managers simply don’t know where to turn to even access this valuable talent pool. By creating a dedicated directory of Disability Confident recruiters, we believe we can help businesses to overcome this crucial hurdle.

“As a non-profit organisation, the continued success of RIDI has always relied on support from our generous sponsors and partners. However, the launch of RIDI 100 offers an even greater number of inclusive recruitment businesses to not only affiliate themselves with our mission to boost the representation of disabled people in the workforce, but also become visible to businesses which are specifically seeking disability confident providers.”

Karen Wilson, CEO of Hoggett Bowers, RIDI’s first RIDI 100 partner, added:

“As Hoggett Bowers, we have been active supporters of the D&I initiative for many years, having worked with some major organisations to help them face challenges as early as the mid 1990’s. We are delighted to be the first RIDI 100 partner; we are also actively participating with The Clear Company as Clear Assured Foundation members.”

-ENDS

Notes to editors:

Eligible recruitment businesses which are interested in becoming one of the limited number of RIDI 100 partners, or other sponsorship opportunities, should contact info@ridi.org.uk.

Carly Smith
BlueSky PR
Carly@bluesky-pr.com
T: +44 (0)1582 790 708