Disabled people represent one fifth of the working age population of the UK, but are far more likely to be out of work, to lack skills and to live in poverty than the population as a whole. Improving skills and increasing employment rates for disabled people matters not just for equality and social justice, but also for national prosperity. 

Raising the employment rate of disabled people to the national average would boost the UK economy by £13 billion, the equivalent of six months’ economic growth. (Social Market Foundation Report, June 2007).

Critically, success relies on raising the aspirations of disabled people and increasing their opportunities, as well as improving society’s attitudes towards disabled people and raising its expectations of them.

[taken from “My Wheelchair Is My Shoes” parliamentary report by Whizz-Kids]