More businesses will have the ability to recruit, train and retrain people with disabilities following an extended partnership between global payments platform Ecommpay and disability inclusion champion Cressida Stephenson, CEO and founder of EdenChase Associates.
Now, Ecommpay will deliver free weekly cohort sessions from 4 September to 16 October for Tiers 1-3 of the Disability Confident Scheme. The Disability Confident Scheme aims to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Cressida Stephenson specialises in neurodivergent and disabled talent attraction, retention and development.
During the free webinar sessions, run in partnership with Project Nemo, she will help merchants learn about the Scheme and how they can get started on Tiers 1-3, in which employers pledge to be inclusive.
The sessions will help businesses build a truly inclusive culture, highlighting that disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing. It is also a strategic advantage for attracting top talent and future-proofing organisations. Attendees will also learn how inclusive internal practices lead to more accessible, customer-friendly products, as well as gain practical guidance on aligning recruitment with ethical and regulatory standards.
Sessions are suitable for individuals to self-certify CPD hours; attendees will receive a certificate of attendance to support self-certified CPD records.
“Since 2013 there has been some improvement in the employment rate among disabled people, but there is still a significant disability employment gap and that needs to change,” explained Cressida Stephenson.
“Many disabled people who remain unemployed are able and willing to work but struggle to find employers willing to give them a chance. Helping employers understand the adjustments they need to make to give disabled applicants a chance to apply and interview for suitable roles is an important first step. I am delighted Ecommpay is sponsoring these cohort sessions to help merchants get started on this important journey.”
Ecommpay, which is registered for Tier 1 of the Disability Confident Scheme has a mission centred on financial inclusivity – delivering payments solutions that are accessible, equitable, and tech-forward for everyone.
Miranda McLean, Ecommpay’s chief marketing officer commented: “Embracing the Disability Confident Scheme aligns with our vision of ultimate financial inclusion and builds on our Ecommpay for Good story. It also keeps us open to diverse abilities, minds and lived experiences. Inclusion isn’t a slogan at Ecommpay, it is embedded in our culture and hiring practices, and we actively engage with the Scheme to build accessible, supportive systems.
“We know first-hand that as well as ensuring the business remains compliant with employment law, inclusive employment boosts diversity of thought and brings the invaluable benefit of fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. Diverse teams drive better products, stronger culture and smarter decisions.
“We have also seen improvements in staff retention, reputation and trust, as customers and clients trust businesses that take inclusion seriously. It’s good ethics and good business, and the sooner senior leaders get on board, the sooner they will see these benefits for themselves.”
According to the latest data, there are more than 10 million people of working age in the UK with a disability, representing 24 per cent of the total working-age population. Just 5.6 million disabled people were employed in the UK in Q2 2024, at an employment rate of 53.1 per cent, compared to 81.6 per cent for non-disabled people.
Removing barriers for disabled people in the workplace provides businesses with access to a wider talent pool and promotes real inclusion that goes beyond hiring, ensuring everyone is supported and empowered at work.
