New Toolkit Helps Employers Support Individuals with Hidden Impairments

18th October 2012

Employers from across the country came together in Sheffield last week to celebrate the launch of a free national toolkit designed to help businesses learn how to better support their employees with hidden impairments.

The event held at Nabarro LLP on behalf of the Hidden Impairment National Group (HING) and supported by The Adsetts Partnership saw the 'Uncovering Hidden Impairments Toolkit' launched to over 50 businesses. These included Tesco, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, West Yorkshire Police, Transport for Greater Manchester, Carillion/ Sky Blue, Nabarro LLP and Remploy who have all committed to improving work place awareness on hidden impairments and became the first seven companies to officially sign up to the toolkit. To recognise their commitment each company was awarded a certificate during the evening. The toolkit also received interest from Sheffield City Council as well as many other local and national organisations. The toolkit originally put together by the HING, supported by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and offers hints, tips and guidance on how to best support individuals with hidden impairments including: Asperger syndrome; ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and speech and language difficulties. Due to the overwhelming success of the implementation of the toolkit across the DWP, the group decided to launch it to other employers through the 'Uncovering Hidden Impairments' employer event. Philip Bartey Group CEO of The Adsetts Partnership was master of ceremonies and a number of influential figures showed their support for the toolkit, praising the benefits of its use for employers to help their employees reach their full potential in the workplace. Inspiring speeches were given by Professor Amanda Kirby, Medical Director at the Dyscovery Centre in Wales; Lee Strafford, creator of Plusnet and an individual with a hidden impairment; Rilesh Jadeja, DWP National Access to Work Manager and Steven Michael, CEO of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Amanda Wadsworth MBE, Disability Strategy Directorate at DWP said: "The launch was a huge success and gave the Hidden Impairment National Group (HING) the opportunity to showcase this free resource to employers as well as recognise the first employers to demonstrate their pro-active commitment to the hidden impairment agenda. The HING are delighted to have seen such overwhelming interest in the toolkit and have already scheduled meetings with many other employers to implement the toolkit across a wide range of workplaces in the near future. -Through the toolkit employers will be able to support individuals with hidden impairments ensuring they receive the right support at the right time. For more information on HING and for details of how employers can sign up to the toolkit visit www.hing.org.uk