The Disability Standard package

The Disability Standard is a unique management tool that shows you where you are on disability, where you need to be and how to get there. It is the most cost-effective way to audit your progress on disability as it affects every aspect of your business and crucially it provides the information you need to design and deliver your disability action plan for the coming year. The Disability Standard package includes:

• Access to the Disability Standard online assessment tool.
  
• Access to a directory of best practice guidance.
• A place at a pre-completion workshop.
• A Diagnostic report on your organisation’s performance.
• A tailored debrief session (if requested). 
  
• A place at the ‘Building disability confidence’ event.
• A copy of the Disability Standard 2009 Benchmark report.
  
• Entry into the Disability Standard 2009 Awards.
  
• A place at the Disability Standard 2009 Awards ceremony.
• Telephone and email support from the Disability Standard team.
• One year of membership for non members only (and excluding organisations with less than 500 employees).
  

Download the most recent version of the Disability Standard brochure here.

Pre-completion workshop

A number of pre-completion workshops will be held between December 2008 and February 2009, at which the Disability Standard team will be on hand to run through the assessment completion process. We will also explain the scoring and evidence collection process and answer any other questions you may have. You will also have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with all sections of the Disability Standard website and work through some example questions and answers.

The Directory

The Directory contains a full listing of legal and best practice guidance, so you know where to go to get the essential information needed to transform your results into an effective disability action plan.

We have reviewed every pertinent regulation and code of practice published, as well as technical standards and definitive best practice guidance from Employers’ Forum on Disability and other recognised authorities.

The Directory is available in print and online. It can provide guidance when completing the assessment and when creating your disability action plan.

Online assessment tool

As a participant you will be given a secure username and password to give you full access to the online assessment tool. Performance is assessed against all areas of the business including:
 

• Employment and recruitment
• Customer services and e-commerce
• Occupational health and health & safety
• Premises and the built environment
• IT systems
• Accessibility of goods and services
• Outsourcing and procurement
• Corporate responsibility and brand reputation.

There are public and private sector versions of the Disability Standard assessment. The former has been developed to cover the ‘Disability Equality Duty and Disability Equality Schemes.

Your organisation has eight weeks from the beginning of March until the end of April 2009 to complete the assessment and collate all associated evidence. You are required to submit evidence to support your submission. To ensure you benefit from a system that is credible and quality assured, the Employers’ Forum on Disability validates your evidence and may change scores as a result.

Diagnostic report

At the heart of the Disability Standard is your tailored diagnostic report which interprets your validated scores and enables you to compare your results with the overall benchmark average, your sector average and where appropriate, your organisation's previous Disability Standard performance. The report features key successes, identifies legal risks and presents recommendations for priority action. This report provides the basis for your organisation's disability action plan.

Participants will also receive recognition for their commitment with a certificate. While individual scores remain confidential, participants will be awarded either a Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Participant certificate together with a logo that can be used to promote your participation.

‘Building disability confidence’ event

Scheduled for the autumn 2009, this event brings together participants for a series of tailored workshops. The workshops will address those areas of weakness seen across all participants, as identified through the Disability Standard results. It offers the opportunity to learn from other organisations through best practice case studies and group work. Advice will also be given on developing your disability action plan.

Disability Standard Benchmark Report 2009

The Disability Standard Benchmark Report 2009 will provide a snapshot of UK business performance on disability. Results are broken down by sector and compared to the results from previous benchmarking years. The report also contains insightful case studies providing useful examples of best practice. The report will be launched at the 'Building disability confidence' event.

Entry into the Disability Standard 2009 Awards

Held in November 2009 the Awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate best practice achievements and recognise specific areas of innovation and excellence found in participants submissions. These may include outstanding projects, policies or initiatives submitted by any participant, from the top scorer to those with greater scope for overall improvement.