WIDE Framework - Employer Consultation

Note: This consultation has now been completed.

As part of the WIDE Framework project, we are opening a series of consultations to help us shape the development of the framework. Having completed a consultation with disabled people, AHEAD is now asking employers express their interest in sharing their views in an Employer Consultation (options scheduled to take place on Oct 23rd or 24th, 2024).

The aim of this consultation is to better understand the experiences of public and private sector employers from a range of sectors, industries and backgrounds who employ, or wish to employ, disabled people. This learning will be used to help further develop a national framework (a set of structured principles and recommended actions) for employers to support them to hire, retain and promote more people with disabilities and to create workplaces where they can succeed. 

How do I get involved? 

Note: This consultation has now been completed.

If you are interested in being a part of the consultation as an employer who employs or would like to employ people with disabilities, we would like you to express your interest by 13:00, Wed Oct 2nd by completing the form below. 

You will be informed by email no later than Wednesday 9th October, as to whether you have been selected or not.

Please note, this is an expression of interest to participate in this consultation. Participants will be selected according to the criteria we have set out below. We aim to ensure we have a diverse range of participants, therefore, not all who complete this expression of interest form, will be selected. 

When are the Consultations? 

We will have two consultations, one online and one in-person. You only have to attend one of the consultations and you will be asked to indicate your preference when completing the Expression of Interest Form. The consultations will take place on the following dates and times: 

• In-Person in Dublin City Centre - Wednesday 23rd October at 11.30-13:30 (followed by optional lunch)
• Online - Thursday 24th October from 10:00-12:00

Who should Participate? 

If you are an employer/work for an employer based in Ireland, and have experiences and ideas on hiring, retaining and promoting disabled people (positive and negative), and how to develop workplaces where disabled people can succeed, then we are interested in hearing your views.

In order to have meaningful discussion and engagement in the consultation sessions, the number of places at the consultations is limited. We are committed to transparency regarding the selection of participants. To ensure we get a wide range of employer views and a diverse perspective for the consultation, our guiding selection criteria is as follows;

• Representatives of a wide range of roles within organisations (e.g. management, HR, EDI, IT, Facilities etc.)
• A wide range of organisational types (micro, small, medium, large, charitable/non-profit)
• A range of employers who represent private, semi-state, public sector, civil service, non-governmental organisations and voluntary organisations
• Organisations who operate only in Ireland and/or globally
• Organisations representing a broad range of sectors/industries (e.g. retail, finance, IT, construction)

Download More Information Here

Download the Informed Consent FormDownload the Participant Information Sheet

If you require any of this information in an alternative format, please email catherine.murray@ahead.ie.

If you have any questions about the research or consultation, you can contact the project lead, dara.ryder@ahead.ie. 

You can view AHEAD's Research Policy here.