Employers explore use of technology to improve accessibility in recruitment

The UK Government is working with major technology companies and disability charities to explore how digital tools can help remove barriers faced by disabled people in recruitment and the workplace.

The collaboration brings together government departments with global technology firms including Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon, alongside disability organisations, to examine how existing and emerging technologies can improve accessibility for disabled jobseekers.

The initiative is focused on identifying practical ways technology can support more inclusive recruitment processes. Areas under consideration include the use of real-time captioning, accessible video interview platforms, assistive technologies, and AI-enabled tools designed to reduce bias and improve access to information.

According to the Government, disabled people continue to face significant barriers when applying for jobs, particularly during online recruitment stages such as application forms, assessments and interviews. The project aims to address these challenges by encouraging employers to adopt technology that supports different access needs.

Disability charities involved in the work are contributing lived-experience insight to help ensure that technology solutions are shaped by the needs of disabled people, rather than imposed without adequate testing or consultation.

The collaboration also aims to support employers by improving understanding of how accessible technology can be implemented responsibly and effectively, without replacing the need for reasonable adjustments or inclusive workplace cultures.

The initiative comes as employers increasingly rely on digital recruitment tools, raising concerns that poorly designed systems may unintentionally exclude disabled candidates. By working with technology providers, the Government hopes to ensure accessibility is built into recruitment platforms from the outset.

With the disability employment gap remaining a persistent challenge in the UK, the collaboration highlights the growing role technology could play in supporting fairer access to work — provided it is developed and used with inclusion at its core.