Today is World Disability Day, and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) are calling on the construction industry to be more inclusive for tradespeople with disabilities
As recruitment continues to pose an issue for the construction industry, the FMB is calling for firms to recognise that disabilities in construction do not prevent workers from continuing to bring value to the team.
The FMB points to a real-life example in one of their members, Martin Sneddon of Martin and Son Builders.
Disabilities do not prevent work
Martin Sneddon has been working in construction since he was 15, when he started a bricklaying apprenticeship. Since then, he has worked to a high standard, even winning the FMB Outstanding Builder of the Year award.
Martin has also lost his hearing, and at the time, was faced with either leaving work or working with it. He chose the latter and developed methods and solutions to allow him to keep working to his high standards.
Martin said: “Communication is vital in construction, and I’ve learned to adapt through lip reading…”I’ve also developed a heightened awareness system for safety around machinery. I use this phrase: ‘you can’t see with your ears, but you can hear with your eyes.
“This industry will reward you well for hard work and good workmanship. With numbers falling in recruitment, I’d say to anyone with a disability, hidden or otherwise, to come and have a go. You will meet with support everywhere you go. People with hearing loss like me can do it, others can too.”
CEO of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, said: “World Disabilities Day is a chance to reflect on how we can make the construction sector more inclusive. With the current skills shortage there is a duty on us all to make the construction industry more inclusive. I want to highlight members like Martin who demonstrate that talent, skill, and dedication know no boundaries. As a builder who is deaf, Martin has shown that with the right support and attitude, there are no limits to what can be achieved. Well done again to Martin for all your success at the Master Builder Awards this year!”
Those with disabilities are more likely to have less positive experiences
In October, the Supply Chain Sustainability School ran their 2025 Fairness Inclusion & Respect (FIR) programme, which measures the level of diversity in the construction industry. Dana James-Edwards wrote for PBC Today to discuss the results in more depth.
The survey found that respondents with disabilities report negative experiences at work
far more consistently than others.
Dana wrote: “This year’s survey was launched in February and closed in April, against a backdrop of strong anti-diversity and inclusion sentiment coming out of the US, which was filtering through to the UK.
“One of the earliest responses to the survey gave every question the lowest possible score and left a single comment: “DEI is dead, and you won’t have this survey in a year”.
“In the initial days after the launch of (this year’s) survey, we regularly checked the responses to see if it was a trend, but while we did get a few more responses in that vein, they represented a very small minority overall.
Dana continued: “Ten years on, the FIR Culture & Impact Report stands as both a celebration and a reality check. It demonstrates that sustained investment in fairness, inclusion and respect delivers measurable benefits for individuals, organisations and the industry as a whole. Yet it also shows that embedding inclusion is an ongoing journey; a journey that requires continual attention, leadership commitment and open dialogue.
“As one respondent aptly put it: “When people feel valued and supported, they’re more engaged, productive and loyal. FIR helps make that possible.”
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