Business bosses have welcomed the launch of a powerful project that will open doors for disabled people desperate to get back into work. Shaw Trust's Job Broking programme, which has already helped thousands of people nationwide, has now been extended and 18 new areas added.

Forum Response: Shaw Trust

Ian Charlesworth, managing director of the Shaw Trust said: "Our existing Job Broking services reach 11,500 a year, and we expect to help another 45,000 people over the next two years.

"We are delighted to be extending our reach across the UK, where there is a clear need for our services and where we are confident we can make a big difference."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Mohammed Hasan Institute of Directors diversity manager said: "The Shaw Trust Job Broker programme is an excellent example of how business and the voluntary sector can work in effective partnership. It is imperative that people from all backgrounds are able to have access to opportunity, and business leadership must work to remove any obstacles they face. The Job Broker programme is an important and welcome initiative in this respect."

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust

A spokesperson for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "The extension of the Shaw Trust's employment project is a very welcome decision providing as it does much needed extra support to people with a disability who are desperate for the chance to find employment. Just like most of their non disabled peers, people with an impairment want to work and build a career for themselves but all too often prejudice and inflexible working practices prevent them from achieving their ambitions. It's a good sign that so many prominent employers organisations are supporting the Shaw Trust scheme.

"Not only do people with disabilities gain from employment, in terms of their incomes and self-esteem, but society also stands to benefit. Disabled people who are working are contributing to the country's tax base and may not therefore need to draw incapacity benefits, which as the Shaw Trust release makes clear currently cost the country billions of pounds each year. In addition, there is considerable evidence that disabled employees are less likely to take days off for sickness etc (in contrast to most people's perceptions) and are therefore perhaps more reliable and hard working than their non-disabled colleagues. For our part, The Disabilities Trust knows how important meaningful work is to our users and we strive to provide services that offer as much support as necessary to help people with profound and complex needs find employment."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

Philippa Simkiss, RNIB's assistant director on Employment said: " The RNIB welcomes the extension of the Shaw Trusts' job broker programme. We are especially keen for it to make a difference for those disabled people who find it more difficult than others to get into employment, such as blind and partially sighted people. Blind and partially sighted people face specific barriers such as accessible information and equipment, and staff who support them need to be trained to assist people to overcome these barriers.  Employer attitudes remain a barrier for disabled job seekers and research has shown that employers see blindness as more of a barrier than other disabilities. For these reasons blind and partially sighted people are not getting jobs in large numbers through the New Deal for Disabled People; indeed NDDP has exposed gaps in peoples' experience and does not provide sufficient funding to deliver the necessary support. RNIB is asking the statutory services to work with us to strengthen employment support for blind and partially sighted people by introducing arrangements for specialist input and impairment specific provision.