Eliminating Barriers to Employment - Birmingham Disability Consortium

Birmingham Disability Consortium...whatever it takes

Birmingham Disability Consortium is committed to delivering customised employment support to meet the individual needs and preferences of clients. This also includes meeting client impairment needs.

The Consortium is only too aware that the 'one size fits all' approach to delivering employment and training support to priority client groups, including disabled people, does not work. Our member organisations have had previous experience of supporting disabled people and IB claimants who have been adversely affected by services delivered in this way.

Support Into Employment

The member organisations have formed this Disability Consortium in order to enable them, as third sector organisations delivering services to disabled people (including NEET disabled people) and IB claimants in Birmingham, to deliver this support into employment programmes for disabled people.

Well established and on your door step

All members of the Disability Consortium are well established third sector organisations.

They are either located in or near to the communities they serve and have experience of delivering employment related services to people with disabilities.

BDC Partners:

Have a successful and proven track record in the provision of employment support

Offer ongoing support beyond the initial contracted element

Fully understand the impact that the client's disability or health condition may have on their ability to take on training or employment

Care - for us it's not just about the money

Walk The Talk - we actually employ people with disabilities

Are qualified and experienced in our areas of disability specialism - we are NOT generalists

Will advise, guide and encourage

Are known and trusted by our service users


Birmingham Disability Consortium comprises:

Action For Blind People (Lead Partner)

Specialised areas: Visually impaired - blind or partially sighted

Action has over 25 years experience of supporting visually impaired (VI) people into work, and supporting employers to support / retain visually impaired employees. They have been delivering employment support activity for VI people specifically across Birmingham since at least 2003, and have successfully delivered a number of employment support contracts in Birmingham and across the West Midlands.

Call us on 0121 200 3930

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre

Specialised areas: Pan-disability including physically disabled and mental ill health

The Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC) is based in Yardley, and provides a range of independent support services to disabled people, their families and carers in Birmingham. The BDRC also provides a range of services to support voluntary and community sector organisations, employers and businesses which assist them to become more aware of disability equality issues and their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Call us on 0121 789 7365

BITA Pathways

Specialised areas: Mental ill health

BITA Pathways is a registered charity with 45 years experience as the largest provider of rehabilitation services to adults with a severe and enduring mental illness. BITA Pathways provides a range of support services which are designed to assist adults experiencing mental ill health in progressing towards open employment and community integration through personal growth and independence, with the focus on skills development.

Call us on 0121 773 1455

BID Services

Specialised areas: Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing

BID Services (previously Birmingham Institute For The Deaf) provides support to people who are disadvantaged in the workplace due to them being Deaf or having a hearing impairment. Where possible BID employs Deaf people who have experience of the difficulties that can be faced by Deaf people in securing employment. They then use this experience to effectively support individuals into training or employment.

Call us on 0121 246 6100 (minicom 0121 246 6101)

Birmingham Rathbone

Specialised areas: Mild to moderate learning difficulties

Birmingham Rathbone is a local charity whose mission is to enable people with mild to moderate learning difficulties to achieve their full potential. Established in 1985, the charity has worked continuously and successfully to deliver training, further education, supported employment, accommodation and supported housing and care services to around 1000 people a year.

Call us on 0121 684 0202

Midland Mencap

Specialised areas: Moderate to severe learning difficulties

Midland Mencap has over 50 years experience of working with children and adults with learning disabilities and addressing their complex needs. In the last 5 years they have won contracts to work with those who are furthest from the labour market, to develop their confidence and skills to enable them to move closer to their aspirations of gaining paid work.

Call us on 0121 442 2944

Visit the BDC Website at http://www.bdcsupport.org.uk