Abstract
In 2021/2022, approximately 16 million people in the UK, or 24% of the population, experienced
a disability. This significant figure highlights the societal impact, with roughly one in four
individuals facing varying degrees of impairment. As of February 2023, 6.3 million people in
Great Britain were claiming extra cost disability benefits, representing 9 to 10% of the
population, according to Commons Library Research Briefings.
Notably, nearly 25% of individuals with disabilities are of working age (See Fig. 1). This
demographic change emphasisesthe importance of recognising the potential of this substantial
market segment. It underscores the urgent need for discussions on social inclusion, particularly
focusing on strategies to integrate people with disabilities into the workforce.
In light of this, it is critical for sectors such as hospitality and tourism to actively participate in
dialogues aboutsocial inclusion and to strive to create environmentsthat are inclusive and cater
to the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities.