STRETFORD and Urmston MP Kate Green and Sale and Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane are calling on Trafford employers to be Disability Confident.

Ms Green, along with Sale and Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane, invited more than 80 employers from Trafford to an event aimed at dispelling myths surrounding disability and the workplace on September 25.

The event, which was held at Vodafone in Wythenshawe, saw businesses and organisations already championing employment for disabled people share their experiences.

Speakers included Liz Dowd, from Trafford Housing Trust, who employ a number of disabled people; Lizzie Austin, from Pure Innovations, who help disabled people in Trafford find work; and Sue Wilkinson, from Stretford-based Cheeky Cherubs, who employed Tracy through Pure Innovations.

Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston also spoke about the barriers she has overcome as a disabled person in the workplace.

“I always face discrimination and had auditions taken off me and that has meant as a person I have pushed and pushed to work; it made me more determined to do the best work I can,” said Cherylee, who plays Izzy Armstrong in the popular soap.

“It’s about seeing everybody as an individual, having a dialogue with a disabled person and not putting a label on people.”

Ms Green said she hoped that as a result of the event Trafford businesses could ‘blaze the trail’ for disabled employment.

“Disabled people make up 20 per cent of the working age population in this country,” she added.

“Many are highly qualified individuals and Mike and I firmly believe that our disabled constituents have much to offer local businesses.”

Mr Kane said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of former Wythenshawe MP Alf Morris, who established the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act in 1970.

“Thanks to the work of Alf, we have come a long way in our understanding of disability and treatment of disabled people but we still have a way to go,” said Mr Kane.

“We want employers to learn how they can remove barriers and ensure that disabled people have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.”