1981
Out of sight. That’s how disabled people live their lives. Young disabled people are sent away for schooling or training. Disabled people who do work only fi nd employment in special factory workshops – Sheltered Industry Groups (SIG).
It is the International Year of the Disabled.
Wiltshire Rural Community Council chaired by Tim Papé has an idea…
1982
Shaw Trust is registered as a charity.
We want to change the way disabled people are employed. Our aim is for disabled people to work alongside ablebodied colleagues in everyday employment.
Shaw Trust is among the fi rst to recognise the fl exibility of SIG legislation. We argue that government funding for SIG shouldn’t just be directed at industry. We convince Department of Employment Ministers to allocate SIG funding to support disabled individuals get a job within ordinary commercial companies. Prior to Shaw Trust’s involvement, SIG
money was never fully spent. SIG becomes the Sheltered Placement Scheme (SPS) currently known as ‘Workstep’. This scheme allows disabled people to work in a wide variety of jobs. We fi nd jobs by canvassing employers. We support employees’ integration and through government grants, subsidise up to 80% of their wages. The organisation they work for makes up the rest.
The fi rst person we help is employed in a stonemason’s in Wiltshire. He has learning diffi culties but is physically able to do an apprenticeship. Before starting work he is shy, has low self-esteem and doesn’t leave home much. After starting his job he is much happier and more confi dent. He tells people about how Shaw Trust helped him. He becomes our fi rst ambassador.
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