Businesses have been urged to double the number of disabled people they employ.
Even in large companies with a commitment to equal opportunities, disabled staff make up little more than one per cent of the workforce, said Remploy, the Government-backed organisation which encourages employment of people with disabilities.
Its chief executive Roger Paffard said it was wrong to think there were major costs involved. He said: "Where there is cost, it is usually less than £200."
Jobless rates among the disabled are about 50 per cent.
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