Carlisle United Football Club and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust have been awarded disability confident employer accreditation due to their commitment to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Disability Confident scheme, which was introduced by the UK government in 2013, has three levels: disability confident committed employer level one, disability confident employer level two, and disability confident leader level three.
It supports organisations by encouraging them to review how they think about disability, and to act on how they attract, recruit, retain, and develop employees with disabilities. Through its framework, it sets out definitive actions to help employers to engage the talents of disabled people within the workforce, encourage them to think differently about disability, and empower them to improve disabled workers’ skills.
Carlisle United Football Club and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust received accreditation due to its creation of more opportunities for employment and more inclusive working environments. They have also increased recruitment opportunities for people with a disability and ensured that there are no barriers to their development and progression.
Nigel Clibbens, chief executive at Carlisle United, said: “Carlisle United is a football club that wants to inspire pride and belong to everyone. It means we are open to all, welcoming and inclusive for the whole community. That extends to people with disability. This scheme will help us think differently about disability in our recruitment and staff, and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.”
James Tose, chief executive officer at Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, added: “Becoming a disability confident employer is more than a commitment. It’s a statement that we value ability over barriers. At Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, we are proud to create a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and succeed.”
