Half of disabled people are in work that belies their true potential, according to a review into employment services for disabled people by national network of disability organisations and disabled people,RADAR.

The research, as part of a review into employment services for disabled people, also reveals around 300,000 people leave work each year through disability or health conditions and go on to incapacity benefits, while many would prefer to keep their job.

According to the review, closing the employment gap between disabled people and non-disabled people would also boost the economy by £13bn.

The review into employment services for disabled people by RADAR chief executive, Liz Sayce, recommends doubling the numbers of people able to use Access to Work – which gives financial help for support workers, interpreters, equipment and other practical support to enable disabled people to keep and get jobs.

It also recommends raising the overall numbers securing specialist disability support to 100,000 within existing resources, with further expansion longer term.

Sayce says: “The work aspirations of disabled people have changed. Again and again disabled people – especially young disabled people – said they wanted the same choice of jobs as everyone else – in every sector from hairdressing to engineering, from apprenticeships to work experience, from self employment to co-ops and employee to director.

“That is why I am recommending empowering disabled people and employers by opening up Access to Work, widening access to information and peer support and ensuring support can go with the individual, from job to job, equipping disabled people for the economy of today and tomorrow. Young people do not expect a job for life – so we need to design support that can go with the individual, from job to job. 

“We have good evidence and examples of ‘what works’ for people facing the greatest barriers: work experience in regular workplaces and flexible support for both employee and employer. Putting this in place will support disabled people’s independence and sense of identity and help close the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people. This would boost the economy by £13bn.”

Minister for disabled people, Maria Miller, who commissioned the report, adds: “This review is about spending money differently, not cutting it. The amount of money going into employment services for disabled people is already being protected. 

“Disabled people are part of mainstream society and that means being part of the mainstream workplace. That is why I am announcing here and now that the government has accepted the recommendation that a cross government ministerial group should drive forward a strategy for disabled people’s employment. 

“The report makes a number of other detailed recommendations on how we might better use the resource available to government in supporting disabled people into and in work. We will be considering all the recommendations and will respond in due course. government intends to consult on these before moving to any decisions.”