Improving the Employers Disability Confident Scheme in Wales

In 2022, Welsh Government established a Disability Rights Taskforce (DRT) that was co-chaired by the Minister for Social Justice (Jane Hutt MS) and Prof. Debbie Foster of Cardiff Business School. The Taskforce made a series of coproduced recommendations with disabled people in 2024. One was a recommendation that the UK Governments Disability Confident scheme be reformed and strengthened and, consideration be given to establishing an employers’ scheme that might be tailored to meet the needs of Wales.

A unique research partnership was established between Government Social Researchers in the Disability Evidence Unit of Welsh Government and disabled people from the Taskforce, which resulted in the publication of coproduced research by Welsh Government in June 2025, Research Exploring Ways to Improve the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in Wales. This has taken on increased significance since the UK Government has announced its intention to review the Disability Confident Scheme as part of its employment and welfare reforms. So, join us for this Breakfast Briefing to hear the story behind the coproduced research and to discover next steps.

Speakers will include members from the research team: Prof. Debbie Foster(CARBS), Sharon Cross (Head of the Equalities Evidence Unit of Welsh Govt.), Emma Sullivan (Researcher in the Equality Evidence Unit), Damian Bridgeman and Willow Holloway (both disabled people who played an active role in the Taskforce).

Manylion y Digwyddiad

Yn 2022, sefydlodd Llywodraeth Cymru Tasglu Hawliau Pobl Anabl a gafodd ei gyd-gadeirio gan y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol (Jane Hutt AS) a'r Athro Debbie Foster o Ysgol Busnes Caerdydd. Gwnaeth y Tasglu gyfres o argymhellion a gynhyrchwyd ar y cyd gyda phobl anabl yn 2024. Un oedd argymhelliad y dylid diwygio a chryfhau cynllun Hyderus o ran Anabledd Llywodraeth y DU a, dylid ystyried sefydlu cynllun i gyflogwyr y gellid ei deilwra i ddiwallu anghenion Cymru.

Sefydlwyd partneriaeth ymchwil unigryw rhwng Ymchwilwyr Cymdeithasol y Llywodraeth yn Uned Tystiolaeth Anabledd Llywodraeth Cymru a phobl anabl o'r Tasglu, a arweiniodd at gyhoeddi ymchwil a gynhyrchwyd ar y cyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ym mis Mehefin 2025, Ymchwil yn edrych ar ffyrdd o wella’r Cynllun Cyflogwr Hyderus o ran Anabledd yng Nghymru. Mae hyn wedi dod yn fwyfwy arwyddocaol ers i Lywodraeth y DU gyhoeddi ei bwriad i adolygu'r Cynllun Hyderus o ran Anabledd fel rhan o'i diwygiadau cyflogaeth a lles. Felly, ymunwch â ni ar gyfer y Sesiwn Hysbysu dros Frecwast hwn i glywed y stori y tu ôl i'r ymchwil a gynhyrchwyd ar y cyd ac i glywed beth yw’r camau nesaf.

Bydd y siaradwyr yn cynnwys aelodau o'r tîm ymchwil: Yr Athro Debbie Foster (CARBS), Sharon Cross (Pennaeth Uned Dystiolaeth Cydraddoldeb Llywodraeth Cymru), Emma Sullivan (Ymchwilydd yn yr Uned Dystiolaeth Cydraddoldeb), Damian Bridgeman a Willow Holloway (pobl anabl a chwaraeodd ran weithredol yn y Tasglu).