This May, NAHT attended the 2026 TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, which brought together trade unionists from across the movement under the theme ‘United: breaking barriers, defending rights’.

Leaders for Disabled Equality Network members represented NAHT at the conference on 19 and 20 May, where they joined trade unions from across the movement to share experiences, shape policy positions and push for tangible improvements in the workplace for disabled workers.

Through our ongoing involvement in the TUC, delegates have seen first-hand how NAHT’s work on disability equality is gaining recognition. Attendance at successive conferences has enabled NAHT to both contribute to and learn from collective efforts to embed inclusive practices and challenge barriers facing disabled workers.

At this year’s conference, NAHT played an active role in shaping discussion and outcomes. We contributed to motions calling for:

• action to ensure reasonable adjustments are treated as the norm rather than the exception in workplaces
• a united pushback against the potential impact of far-right narratives on disabled workers’ rights, reaffirming the importance of solidarity across the trade union movement.

In addition, NAHT seconded a motion from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) calling for the introduction of statutory disability pay – an important step towards addressing financial inequalities and supporting disabled workers to remain in and thrive at work.

These priorities strongly align with NAHT’s own work to improve working conditions for disabled members, particularly through the development and promotion of our reasonable adjustments policy, which sets out clear expectations for employers and aims to make adjustments routine, timely and effective.

Through our ongoing involvement in the TUC, members saw first-hand how NAHT’s work on disability equality is gaining recognition.

Attendance at successive conferences has enabled NAHT to both contribute to and learn from collective efforts to embed inclusive practices and challenge barriers facing disabled workers.

Get involved in future conferences

The TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference is a vital space for disabled and neurodivergent members to shape trade union policy, influence national priorities and connect with activists across sectors. Attendance helps ensure NAHT’s work is grounded in collective learning, shared experience and solidarity across unions – and that education is not left out of national conversations on disability and workplace justice.

Leaders for Disabled Equality

NAHT’s Leaders for Disabled Equality Network is an informal group for our disabled and neurodivergent members. Please sign up to the network if you are interested in becoming a delegate next year. Find out more about the network and sign up.