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Around 16% of working age adults in this country have a disability. Lloyds TSB has adopted a positive approach towards disability which has resulted in the development of good working practices. It has created an inclusive culture where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential. Lloyds TSB goes beyond the legal obligations of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 both during recruitment and when providing development solutions that meet the specific needs of each of its disabled employees. In addition to this, the Lloyds TSB Foundation supports disability charities and initiatives such as Disability Information and Support.

The writers of Skins and Shameless have developed a new TV show for Channel 4 which addresses disability throughout. In fact, it is a spoof reality TV show, where six disabled people are marooned on a remote island and left to fend for themselves. It will undoubtedly be controversial however lead writer, Jack Thorne, pointed out that the series 'tries to tell the story of contemporary disabled identity from the perspective of contemporary disabled people. In most cases they are not defined by their disability so it becomes a story about a group of people surviving on an island' (The Times 2nd November 2009)

Lloyds TSB has found that by taking a positive approach to disability it has benefited both its employees and the organisation. It has striven to remove the barriers that restrict disabled people from working effectively because it promotes the social model of disability. This states that it is society not disability that creates barriers for disabled people. Perhaps the writers of Cast Offs are hoping to change society's approach disability too in the hope of removing more of those barriers.

Questions

1. List three 'reasonable adjustments' that a firm may make to accommodate a disability
2. Other than disability, laws have been introduced to protect employees from discrimination on what other grounds? 
3.  Explain, using examples, what is meant by discrimination
4. Analyse the benefits to organisations like Lloyds TSB of developing a positive approach to disability

Answers to questions 

1.  List three 'reasonable adjustments' that a firm may make to accommodate a disability Examples might include: Installing ramps, Changing working hours, Providing software e.g. JAWS (Job Access With Speech) for blind employees
2. Other than disability, laws have been introduced to protect employees from discrimination on what other grounds?  Age (Age Discrimination Act 2006), Race (Race Discrimination Act 1976), Sex (Sex Discrimination Act 1975)
3. Explain, using examples, what is meant by discrimination Discrimination could be defined as treating a group of people either more or less favourably than others. Discrimination can be direct or indirect. A possible example: direct discrimination would occur if someone was not promoted because they were a female; indirect discrimination would occur if only people over 5'10' were allowed to apply for a job because this would preclude most women.
4. Analyse the benefits to organisations like Lloyds TSB of developing a positive approach to disability  When recruiting, attracting the best people for the job regardless of disability, Better retention of staff, Improved image of the business, Helps retain and attract customers, Results in a better approach to disabled customers as well as staff.