The Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) is calling for more collective progress on disability inclusion with a Disability Confident Question Time-style event, hosted by The Right Honourable Chloe Smith MP at the House of Commons. 

Based on the format of the well-known television programme Question Time, RIDI and the headline sponsor Amazon will bring together a leading panel of experts to discuss and debate the major disability inclusion recruitment priorities of the day. 

From the provision of accessible application systems, through to getting the workplace right for disabled people from day one, the panel will share their views and experiences on the entire recruitment process. They will also offer practical actions for how the sector can work together towards a more inclusive and equitable workforce. 

The panel includes: 

• Chloe Smith MP (Chair) – former Disability Minister  
• Neil Carberry – CEO, Recruitment Employment Confederation  
• Kate Headley – Director, the Clear Company, Disability and Access Ambassador for the Recruitment sector  
• Mark Lomas – Head of Culture, Lloyd’s  
• Jaqui Sampson – Director EU Workforce Staffing, Amazon 
• Maria Zedda – Workforce Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, HS2  

The event, marking five years since RIDI’s first parliamentary debate, will take place on 7 November at the House of Commons, supported by the Clear Company, Russell Reynolds Associates and Shaw Trust. 

Kate Headley, Director at the Clear Company and Disability and Access Ambassador for the Recruitment sector, says: 

“One in four of the working population in the UK is disabled. With Brexit and the COVID pandemic, so much has changed in the last five years since RIDI’s first parliamentary debate. But with labour and skills shortages still a pressing concern, you can’t afford not to be disability Confident in recruitment. Together we must make more progress on disability inclusion.” 

Jaqui Sampson, Director EU Workforce Staffing, Amazon says: 

“Disability inclusive recruitment is key to being a truly diverse organisation, where employees feel supported and valued, and creating a culture of belonging from the moment a candidate decides to apply. We’re looking forward to discussing the key recruitment issues and getting practical about how we can solve them together, to make our workplaces more diverse and inclusive.” 

Laetitia Jerabek, Consultant at Russell Reynolds Associates, says: 

“Getting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion right and evolving your approach to incorporate best practice is critical. Those leading the change are integrating DEI as a value, input and outcome of their business and talent strategies. The search industry can play a key role, not only with candidates but particularly with the businesses it works with, to ensure that inclusion is always front and centre.” 

https://ridi.org.uk/event/disability-confident-question-time/