Friends to Friends, Lichfield

So Nicky and Liz went to Lichfield last Wednesday to meet with Friends to Friends. It was a really enjoyable afternoon, we had three groups who all brainstormed what inclusive employment meant to each of them and it brought up lots of very valid and interesting points that highlight the massive differences in how disabled people are treated versus everyone else.

The group found that employers tend to be rigid in their expectations of employees and rather than working to individuals strengths. Also they set unrealistic expectations which set disabled colleagues at a disadvantage from the start, rather than making targets achievable and gradually increasing as you become familiar in the role, you're expected to be able to do the same as everyone else with little training and no mentor or buddy to support you.

It can sometimes take disabled people slightly longer to learn how to do a task but if given the time to learn you become an excellent employee.

One of the group has volunteered in charity shops for over eight years, so he has lots of experience which would be seen as really positive and an asset for most people but as he has a learning disability he has only been able to secure a volunteering role.

Overall the main outcome from Friends to Friends was that employment should be inclusive not exclusive.