Supporting Disabled Older Workers
Ageing Better has worked with the Policy Institute and Experts by Experience to explore the working lives of Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in their 50s and 60s.
People in their 50s and 60s with long-term health conditions are considerably more likely to be out of work compared to younger age groups, despite being no more likely to say their health limits their ability to work.
Our research highlights how age and disability discrimination often overlap, creating deeper disadvantages for these workers and making it harder to stay in jobs or find new opportunities. The stories in this report – alongside our survey findings – tell the story of how stigma, poor support and systemic barriers have contributed to the UK’s growing economic inactivity crisis.
At the heart of this project are the voices of lived experience. The Supporting Disabled Older Workers project has been led by a nine-member expert steering group, all older Disabled people or people with long-term health conditions. The steering group and peer researchers were crucial in designing and conducting this study and pinpointing where real change is needed.
I would like to emphasise the agency, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills of Disabled people and posit meaningful co-production as the best way to recognise and try to dismantle the barriers we experience.
Tools and resources
Supporting Disabled Older Workers report
Find out how societal barriers are limiting Disabled older people’s work opportunities and how government and employers can help breakdown those barriers. Download the Supporting Disabled Older Workers report now.
Download
The double prejudice facing Disabled older workers
Read the Supporting Disabled Older Workers press release which calls for new policy and practice to improve support for Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in their 50s and 60s to find and stay in work.
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Supporting Disabled Older Workers (audio description)
In this short film, our Experts by Experience share their stories and offer ways for employers to build more inclusive workplaces (with audio description).
Watch