RUNCORN MP Graham Evans is encouraging businesses to recruit people with disabilities.

He is hosting a disability confident event to help employers understand the business benefits of employing disabled jobseekers.

By working with employers, role models and employees this event will showcase how people with a disability can make a major contribution to business success and challenge negative attitudes to disability employment.

Weaver Vale MP Mr Evans said: “Many employers are missing out on this valuable pool of potential and skills.

“We would like to show local employers how much disabled people have to offer your business.

“Disabled people make up almost 20 per cent of the working age population, many being highly qualified individuals.”

There are many myths about disabled people, he said, including taking more days off sick, costing money to have workplace adjustments and creating a fear of discrimination claims.

Mr Evans says that all of these assumptions are incorrect.

He is inviting business to find out the truth and talk to employers who can explain the support that is available, the steps they have taken to help disabled people enter and progress at work and the benefits their businesses have gained as a result.

Employers can e-mail mail@grahamevansmp.com or call 01925 606500 to register to attend this free event.