DISABLED WORKERS’ CONFERENCE

Jackie Marshall NEC reports on the TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference 2026

The conference took place on 19 May in Bournemouth. The POA’s delegation consisted of myself; Angela Montgomery, Assistant General Secretary; Lisa Burgess, HMP Bure; and Zaz Hussain, NE Regional Intelligence Hub. As President of the TUC, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan addressed the conference, stating that there was a place for disabled workers. Motions followed on all sorts of topics about reasonable adjustments and other failures by employers.

On the morning of 20 May, Dame Diana Johnson, DBE MP, Minister of State for Employment, addressed the conference and took questions from the floor.

A full agenda resulted in an informative and interesting conference.

THE DELEGATES

The Disabled Workers’ Conference was a positive experience, despite the additional security requirements. Both fringe meetings – Tackling the Far Right and Men’s Mental Health – were well attended and informative, in particular highlighting the difficulty of accessing mental health services when you are a disabled person.

In the context that 90% of reasonable adjustments cost a negligible amount and can be easily implemented, the following question was asked of the Minister of State on behalf of the POA: Will the Labour government enact legislation to make it compulsory for employers to put in reasonable adjustments for those with a disability within three months, with the remedy being that employers who fail to do so will receive an automatic fine? The money collected to be invested in supporting the implementation of the new legislation.

Delegates were supportive of the question and less supportive of the response by the Minister, which amounted to the need to engage better with employers. As one delegate put it: the answer from the Minister was NO, but it was done very nicely! Angela Montgomery – Assistant General Secretary

I FEEL SIDELINED IN MY WORKPLACE

It was an honour to attend the TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference 2026. To sit among my disabled peers in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment, free from prejudice, discrimination or hurtful ‘banter’, was a breath of fresh air.

I spent two days in a room set up to be accessible for everyone in attendance. For example: subtitled screens, wheelchairaccessible seating and a sign-language interpreter. This should be the standard in all workplaces, every time, without question.

As a disabled worker, I feel sidelined in my workplace and have been told by managers that I’m a ‘burden to my prison’, that my colleagues ‘have to pick up my slack’, that I can’t just ‘stamp my feet and get what I want’. On one occasion, I was threatened with medical inefficiency simply for bringing up the topic of ‘reasonable adjustments’ to my line manager. All of this while having received nothing but positive PAD meetings, being in the top percentile for key working in my establishment AND still, after three years, not having a fully comprehensive, working workplace adjustment passport in place.

This simply isn’t good enough. I love my job and I want to work. I want to be able to work at the job I love until retirement, and I should be able to do that while working on a level playing field with my non-disabled colleagues.

Attending this conference and hearing from so many passionate working people, all disabled, all unionised, and all of us sick and tired of being treated as less than our non-disabled peers has given me a renewed zeal, and a renewed feeling of solidarity to continue with my own fight for equality and equity for disabled workers at my own establishment, and for the rights of all workers as a POA committee member.

#nothingaboutuswithoutus #solidarity

Lisa Burgess – HMP Bure

 

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE OF ATTENDING A DISABILITY CONFERENCE

Attending a disability conference for the first time was exciting and eye-opening. Before arriving, I felt a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, because I did not know what to expect. However, from the moment I entered the conference I was welcomed into a community focused on inclusion, accessibility, advocacy and empowerment.

One of the most inspiring parts of the conference was meeting people from different backgrounds who shared their personal stories and experiences. Speakers discussed important topics, such as: accessibility in education and the workplace; mental health awareness; assistive technology; and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Listening to these conversations helped me better understand the challenges many individuals face daily, as well as the strength and resilience within the disability community.

Another meaningful aspect of the experience was the sense of belonging and support among other trade unions. The environment felt respectful, welcoming and empowering. I realised that disability conferences are not only educational events, but also spaces in which people can connect, inspire one another and promote positive change.

As a first-time attendee, I left the conference with greater awareness, new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessibility and inclusion. The experience has motivated me to continue learning, supporting advocacy efforts and contributing to conversations that encourage equality for all individuals.

Zaz Hussain – NE Regional Intelligence Hub

 

JACKIE MARSHALL NEC