An overwhelming number of disabled teachers suffer discrimination in the workplace, an NASUWT poll has revealed.

A real-time electronic poll at the annual Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference, which is organised by the NASUWT union and took place on Saturday 25 June, found that more than half (52 percent) of disabled teachers say they have been excluded, isolated and discriminated against in the workplace due to their disability.

The majority (65 percent) of conference delegates admitted they have considered leaving their jobs because of the way they have been treated at work.

The poll also revealed 73 percent of respondents were unhappy with current government efforts to provide equality in the workplace, claiming not enough is being done to improve the lack of support and access to reasonable adjustments in schools.

NASUWT general secretary, Chris Keates, has since urged the government to push forward in introducing “strong regulatory frameworks to eliminate discrimination” in order to advance equality for disabled teachers in schools across the country.

Victoria Phillips, head of employment rights at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Discrimination in any workplace is wholly unacceptable, yet the results of this survey suggest that discriminatory behaviour against disabled teachers is shamefully commonplace in our schools.

“We work alongside unions, including the NASUWT, to fight against workplace discrimination on behalf of union members and all employees, and urge the government to take immediate steps to address the NASUWT survey findings.”