THE head of the biggest employer of disabled people in the country says he believes the future is looking brighter for workers with disabilities.

Bob Warner, chief executive of Remploy, which employs 5,700 disabled people in Britain, has said this year is crucial in the development of jobs for people with disabilities and is hoping for real progress.

He said: "We have the Government's desire to get more disabled people into work signalled by the recent extension of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)."

The act makes it compulsory for businesses to ensure that all their services can be accessed by people with disabilities.

"We are finding a growing pull from employers driven by labour shortages and corporate social responsibility," said Mr Warner.

"There is a strongly-voiced demand from disabled people for more opportunity and a clear message from all to look for inclusive solutions. Now is the time to bring these imperatives together."

But the picture in Swindon may not be so rosy.

John Green, the manager of Working for Opportunities in the Shaftesbury Centre in Percy Street, said he had not found that it was getting easier to find employment for the disabled.

"We haven't seen a change in attitude or compliance since the DDA was introduced and we're not finding it any easier."

Working for Opportunities has about 160 people on its register, and about half of those are unemployed.

It has worked with Remploy in providing participants for the Zurich Academy in Swindon, that at the moment has six people being helped back into work.

Generally they have mobility problems or have long-term mental health issues, and may need modification made to office equipment or other adjustments to the work environment.

Mr Green said that the DDA has helped in that any new office buildings must not discriminate against the disabled, but he said: "With smaller employers we are not finding it any easier."

One recent blow for the disabled jobs market was the closure of Magic the Mobility and General Information Centre in West Swindon, which operated a comprehensive information service for disabled drivers.

It closed in spring last year.

The 49-strong staff included about 10 with disabilities, and it closed when parent company Ford wanted to move it to Byfleet in Surrey.

Mr Green said the closure had removed a useful local source of employment opportunities for the disabled.

In general, people suffering from mental health problems have the hardest time finding work, with those suffering from sensory problems also finding difficulty.