The TUC has issued a guide recommending how employers can improve opportunities for disabled workers.
Jobs for Disabled People, published to coincide with the annual TUC Disability Conference, urges the government to put additional resources into helping disabled workers and improving health and safety facilities at work.
The report also suggests that the government should introduce disability leave for employees who are undergoing rehabilitation treatment.
TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said employers were still reluctant to employ more disabled people.
“Half the battle in getting more disabled people into work is overcoming employer prejudice,” he said. “When recruiting staff, many employers simply ignore job applicants with a history of long term sickness or those on incapacity benefit.”