South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle was joined by his colleague from the Lothian Region, Jeremy Balfour and Ayrshire MP Bill Grant, for a conference at Prestwick Airport.
The event, organised by the Department of Work and Pensions, to promote their “disability confident” scheme and the local, Ayrshire-wide initiative, Disability Inclusive = Confident Employers (DICE). The scheme aims to encourage businesses, public sector and third sector organisations to consider employing staff with a disability. This was the second event of its kind in Ayrshire, following one in Kilmarnock last year.
Local MP Bill Grant, gave a speech to attendees highlighting the opportunities and potential benefits of recruiting someone with a disability. The MP even managed to fit in a mention of Robert Burns, quoting his poem – “Here’s to Thy Health”
Bill Grant MP said: “It was a pleasure to attend The Disability Confident Event at Prestwick with my Scottish Parliament Colleagues Brian and Jeremy. My thanks to the organisers, the attendees and potential employers who are willing to support this initiative and give the opportunity to those who wish to secure employment based on their ability, not their disability”
Brian Whittle MSP ran a workshop with Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour entitled “Ability First”. Jeremy, who was born with a physical disability, spoke about his experiences of work as a disabled person throughout his time as a lawyer, Baptist minister, councillor and now MSP. The two MSPs then held a Q&A session with the audience around the perception of disability in the workplace and the importance of seeing the person, not their disability.
Speaking after the event, Brian Whittle MSP said:
“It was a pleasure to take part in the conference and promote the “disability confident” scheme and DICE to more employers. I’m delighted Jeremy Balfour was able to join me again. He’s living proof that someone with a disability can build a successful career and make a big difference in the workplace.
Both Jeremy and I have signed up to the “disability confident” scheme and we’d encourage others to do the same.”
You can find out more about the Disability Confident scheme here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
