Research 11/06/2025

Disparities in employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities

By Rachael Fitzpatrick, Mario Kyriacou

Paper 1

Paper 2

Paper 3

While diversity, equality, and inclusion laws in the UK aim to strengthen workplace protections for people with disabilities, disparities in employment outcomes persist. In this series of working papers, we investigate how and why people with disabilities continue to face challenges relating to job accessibility, career progression, and workplace accommodations.

In the first paper, we investigate the complex interplay between employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and industry, occupation, and workplace characteristics. In the second paper, we ask which parts of the UK are best and worst in terms of disability employment opportunities and outcomes, and we explore the underlying factors influencing significant regional variations. The third paper delves into the complex intersection of employment outcomes for people with disabilities, and other demographic factors such as age, education, ethnicity, and gender.

At EDT, we support diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace and across society, and we recognise that there is still much work to be done in this area. In these reports, we identify key implications and recommendations for policy, practice, and further research. Addressing the challenges will require a coordinated and holistic approach to employment policy, to improve job quality, career mobility, geographical equality, and socio-economic fairness for all people with disabilities.

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Disparities in employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities

This paper delves into the complex intersection of employment outcomes for people with disabilities, and other demographic factors such as age, education, ethnicity, and gender.

Paper 3

Demographic SEND Working Paper Cover 180X255

Which parts of the UK are best and worst for employment outcomes for people with disabilities?

In this paper, we ask which parts of the UK are best and worst in terms of disability employment opportunities and outcomes, and we explore the underlying factors influencing significant regional variations.

Paper 2

Which Parts SEND Working Paper Cover 180X255

Wellbeing and fair pay, or plentiful work? The dilemmas facing disabled people in the world of work

In this paper, we investigate the complex interplay between employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and industry, occupation, and workplace characteristics.

Paper 1

Wellbeing SEND Working Paper Cover 180X255

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