The government has convened leading technology firms, including Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon, alongside disability charities to explore how modern technology can help break down barriers that prevent disabled people from securing and remaining in employment.

Discussions centred on practical tools that are already available and how their adoption could be widened. These include screen readers, real-time captioning and AI-powered visual description tools.

The roundtable forms part of wider government initiatives, including the Connect to Work programme, which aims to support 300,000 sick or disabled people into work.

There are also plans to reform the Disability Confident scheme by introducing tougher standards and more tailored support for smaller businesses. To date, 19,000 employers have signed up to the scheme.

For employers, this growing emphasis on workplace accessibility for disabled people could create increased opportunities to access untapped talent, delivering positive outcomes for both the wider community and your business.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-giants-meet-disability-sector-to-break-down-barriers-at-work