Skip to main content
Guidance

Disability Confident: guidance for levels 1, 2 and 3

This guidance explains what is needed to become Disability Confident Committed, or a Disability Confident Employer or Leader.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published:
11 July 2017
Last updated:
23 July 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updating Welsh to match recent changes to English htmls

  2. Guidance updated to reflect changes to online platform used to sign-up and renew membership of the Disability Confident scheme.

  3. Attachment 'Lefel 1: Ymroddedig i Hyderus o ran Anabledd’ updated with Welsh contact form in section 2. ‘Cyfathrebu a hyrwyddo swyddi gwag’. Updated several links with Welsh landing pages.

  4. Updated 'Validation template - Disability Confident Leader (level 3)' to fix a broken link.

  5. Level 3: Disability Confident Leader HTML and ODT have been updated. Lefel 3: Arweinydd Hyderus o ran Anabledd HTML has been updated.

  6. Level 2: Disability Confident Employer HTML and ODT have been updated. Lefel 2: Cyflogwr Hyderus o ran Anabledd HTML has been updated.

  7. Updated 'Level 1: Disability Confident Committed' HTML and ODT documents. Links to further advice and information have been revised. The sections 'Next steps: Progressing on your Disability Confident Journey' and' Checking or updating your Disability Confident details' have been added. The section on Definition of Disability has been removed. Also removed PDF 'Level 1: Disability Confident Committed'.

  8. Published an updated version of the 'Validation template - Disability Confident Leader (level 3)'. The updated version is dated June 24.

  9. Published an updated version of 'Self-assessment template - Disability Confident Employer (level 2)'. The updated version is dated June 24.

  10. Added HTML version for Level 3: Disability Confident Leader in Welsh.

  11. Updated English versions of 'Level 3: Disability Confident Leader' guidance and 'Validation template - Disability Confident Leader (level 3)'.

  12. Level 1 HTML changes: updated introduction. Updates throughout to reflect accreditation now lasts for 3 years. Updated and added several links for further advice and information. Updated 'Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required' section. Updated 'Definition of a disability' section. Also added updated level 1 PDF. Level 2 HTML changes: updated introduction. Updates throughout to reflect accreditation now lasts for 3 years. Updated 'What's in it for business?' section. Updated 'Level 2 explained' section. Updated 'Theme 1 - Getting the right people for your business' core action and activity sections. Updated 'Theme 2 - Keeping and developing your people' core action and activity sections. Updated 'What happens next?' section. Updated 'Disability Confident branding guidelines' section. Updated and added several links for further advice and information. Also added updated level 2 PDF. Updated level 3 DC Leader PDF: Ministerial foreword updated. Welsh level 3 DC Leader PDF updated with new 'Ministerial foreword.' Updated 'Self-assessment template - Disability Confident Employer (level 2)' and 'Validation template - Disability Confident Leader (level 3).'

  13. Added updated Welsh employer packs (new ministerial forward).

  14. Level 3: Leader HTML guide: Added more information about filling in the validation template in the 'Challenge' section. Added a link to DPO information in the section for each type of employer. Replaced mention of Work Choice with Work and Health Programme. Added information about the Leader application process in the 'Leadership' section. Removed section on DPULOs. Updated level 3 PDF and validation template for level 3.

  15. Level 2 HTML changes: replaced Work Choice mentions with Work and Health Programme, added more information about offering interviews to disabled people in section 3, added an email address to section 10, added information about the Disability Confident reference number to 'What happens next?', added information about Disability Confident branding and removed 'Case studies and resources' section. Also added updated PDF version of level 2 guidance and updated self-assessment template.

  16. Updated level 1 HTML to include more information on offering an interview to disabled people and a new section on Disability Confident branding. Removed section about case studies and resources. Also added updated PDF version.

  17. First published.

Documents

Level 1: Disability Confident Committed

HTML

Level 1: Disability Confident Committed (ODT)

ODT, 243 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Level 2: Disability Confident Employer

HTML

Level 2: Disability Confident Employer (ODT)

ODT, 65.4 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Level 3: Disability Confident Leader

HTML

Level 3: Disability Confident Leader (ODT)

ODT, 37.8 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Self-assessment template - Disability Confident Employer (level 2)

ODT, 47.7 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Validation template - Disability Confident Leader (level 3)

ODT, 30.4 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Details

The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace. Being Disability Confident is an opportunity for employers to lead the way in their community and to discover skills and talents they cannot do without. It can help all your people fulfil their potential and contribute fully to your team’s success.

The scheme is voluntary and access to the guidance, self-assessments and resources is free.

The 3 levels are designed to support you on your Disability Confident journey. You must complete each level before moving on to the next.

The guidance for each level explains which commitments you must agree to and which actions you need to take to successfully become:

  • Committed (level 1)
  • Employer (level 2)
  • Leader (level 3)

This guidance is also available in easy read format.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content