The NHS has marked Disability History Month by highlighting disabled staff or those living with long-term conditions. 

Their theme this year is ‘voices at work’, aiming to shed light on their daily experiences and to recognise the skills and contributions disabled people bring to the workplace.

Joan Saddler, Director of Partnerships and Equality at the NHS Confederation, said: “Disability History Month is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate members of our workforce who bring personal lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to their careers, teams, leadership and patient care.”

In 2024, according to an NHS survey, nearly one in four of their employees reported having a disability or experience of a long-term condition.

As part of their aims for the month, the NHS is taking the opportunity to encourage leaders and managers to support staff through compassion and inclusivity, urge staff to record their disability on their staff record and to have open conversations. 

Ms Saddler added: “It also means recognising that over a quarter of disabled staff still do not have the adjustments they need to perform their role according to the NHS Workforce Disability Equality Standard 2024 and disabled staff also report higher levels of bullying, harassment or abuse than non-disabled staff.

“If we are to achieve the ambitions set out in the NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan health service leaders know they need to work even harder to create workplaces that are open and inclusive to all staff and patients.”

They are also focusing on promoting the achievements of the staff, holding check-ins to ensure appropriate adjustments are in place and raising awareness that not all disabilities are visible. 

The hiring process is also to be assessed to make sure it is accessible and inclusive for all. 

In a 2025 Department of Work and Pensions report, the disability employment rate was 52.8%, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people.

They were also more likely to want a job and less likely to have had a career in the last two years, the main reason being long-term sickness, with 1 in 5 having not worked for over 10 years.

Disability History Month is ongoing  from 20 November to 20 December 2025.