Disability charity seeks the views of directors living with disability, ill-health or injury
New research into the experiences of business leaders living with disability, ill-health or injury has been commissioned by disability charity RADAR. Doing Seniority Differently, which is being produced in conjunction with Baroness Campbell of Surbiton and Roger Berry MP, co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Disability Group, will look at factors affecting the ability of disabled directors and managers to thrive and progress at work.
"We want to understand the factors that enable people living with ill-health, injury or disability to succeed in senior positions," says Liz Sayce, chief executive of RADAR. These might include development schemes, training or flexible working. "We also want to understand better what gets in the way of gifted people progressing towards senior roles, and how barriers can be overcome," she adds.
RADAR doesn't just want to reach directors known to have a disability. The charity is also keen to get the views of people reluctant to disclose an injury or disability at work. This may be because they fear it could have an adverse impact upon their careers. Or they may choose not to disclose simply because they do not regard their disability or health condition as a relevant factor. RADAR says it is keen to understand more about the reasons people do or do not disclose, and the effects this might have on their continued progression or job satisfaction. "These people will also have valuable contributions to the research," says Sayce.
"This is currently an un-researched issue," she adds. "Disabled people have talent, ambition and potential, which all too often goes to waste. They lack senior disabled role models who have succeeded in their chosen professions. This project will bring together the experiences of disabled leaders and managers to ensure that others can follow them up the career ladder."
Directors can complete an online questionnaire at www.radar.org.uk/research The deadline for entry is July 15, 2009.
Posted 18 June 2009 : Director.co.uk
