MORE than half of West Dunbartonshire residents living with a disability are unemployed – and a special event last week vowed to tackle that.

The Golden Jubilee in Clydebank hosted a fair for employers to learn more about the advantages of employing those who might live with disability, whether visible or invisible.

It was billed as the first Disability Confident event in West Dunbartonshire to bring all groups to improve opportunities for any disability.

And local politicians, employers and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) were on the same page that tackling the issue would benefit those who are unemployed, the companies who can change that, and all of West Dunbartonshire.

Clydebank’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said there were 6,700 people in employment in West Dunbartonshire out of a potential 15,000 who live with a disability – 43.7 per cent. He noted that was four per cent below the national average.

He said: “That’s an indication of the challenge here in West Dunbartonshire. To meet that challenge, we have to involve everyone here today.

“People living with disabilities have a lot to offer. A member of my family lives with physical disability - it challenges how they enter employment.

“It’s a win-win for everybody - it makes a more sustainable economy, a more equitable society. I cannot imagine why we would not want to do that.”

The MP added that while he might not agree with UK government policies at the DWP, the local colleagues at the department should be “commended for what they have to do”.

Brian Fleming, from the DWP, said he was born and raised in Clydebank and an older brother had burnt his hand and had a “journey in life to take him from being a right-handed minded person to having to learn to use his left”.

Since then, he has become a senior social worker and learned to play guitar in a blues band, said Mr Fleming. He explained the example of taking confidence and investing in that individual, they can reach success.

With statistics showing one in four adults experience mental health issues, 100 people lose their sight every day, hearing loss – all are major challenges for employment but all can be overcome with small adjustments.

Mr Fleming said: “Over half of workplaces are missing out on talent. We can help you be committed to that – just identify one thing you can do to help someone living with disability. By stepping up, it will help you succeed in business.”

He gave an example of a Dumbarton woman aged 23 who is registered with mental health problems but was given a week’s work experience at B&M in Dumbarton. On day one, they could see beyond the disability and hired her.

Jackie Baillie MSP said the employment event was important to maximise the talent pool of people living with disabilities and encourage employers to take the first step to employing one of those talented residents.

“We must do more to remove the barriers and challenge some of the myths which make nearly half of all employers think twice about hiring a disabled person,” she said. “Across the country, nearly one in five workers have a disability and research shows that disabled people have a higher retention rate than other workers and take fewer days off due to illness.

“It’s good for business and good for the community - we should be pulling barriers down. It’s such a waste of talent and loss to the economy otherwise.”

Jill Young, chief executive of the Golden Jubilee Foundation, said they were aspiring to reach level 3 status as a disability confident employer. With an expected £50 million expansion plan to the facility, there will be hundreds of more jobs coming to Clydebank and the Golden Jubilee will actively seek employees living with disabilities.

She said: “We think by doing that, we will help the local community but also help our business partners.”

Gil Paterson MSP said his own family business, Gil’s, had two employees living with epilepsy and had been concerned it would be a barrier but has proved not to inhibit their work at all.

He said: “I’m encourage that when it comes to epilepsy that there is a better understanding. But it’s hard work to get there.

“It’s a long journey ahead with the wider public. I can detect there’s a better understanding and I’m encouraged we can make a difference.”

Replacing the ‘Double Tick’ scheme, Disability Confident was launched in 2013 with the aim of improving work opportunities for those living with disabilities.