Disability Job Fair in Portsmouth.

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus  are holding a 'disability confident' job fair in Plymouth on the 29th November. These fairs sound like a good idea, but we have yet to hear what the disabled think?

Not everyone with a disability wants to advertise the fact they are disabled and it would be interesting to hear other opinions? 

It is not clear what 'disability confident'  means? Many disabled people are very confident? It sounds strangely close to disability competent? Having assisted ‘Time & Tide’ the first disabled crew in the Chay Blyth, BT Global Challenge yacht race, that took sailors the 'wrong way around the world against the prevailing winds. We helped the crew and their management raise funds. The team subsequently competed and finished successfully.

We found that many of those with disabilities wanted to be treated simply as ‘normal’ people.

Some of the crew were truly amazing. One man running for his train had slipped and the last bogey wheels cut his legs clean off.  He stated he was conscious throughout. 'It bloody hurt Simon’ I seemed to remember him telling me. Another had his back broken when a go-kart at a corporate event crashed into the back of his machine. These people had their lives changed in an instant. They were one of the most amazing bunch of people I have ever come across.

Whilst we wish this initiative all the best, we are reminded of our initial goals of founding an association that speaks for people receiving state funding, not for those who think they know what’s best for them, however well intentioned.

We are in favour of initiatives like this if it is what claimants want and not just the DWP. We wish the show's organizers all the best however.