Support from the state is available, though not necessarily something to be relied upon.
The well-worn discussions about the ongoing diminution of the Employment and Support Allowance aside, other employment-focused initiatives are also flagging.
The most well-known of these, Access to Work, can provide financial and practical support to disabled people based on their needs.
This could provide modifications to the equipment for the job, specialist software, counselling support, even aid with transport to and from the workplace.
It does not cover reasonable adjustments employers need to make to comply with the Equality Act 2010, but the average cost of these has been estimated at just £75, with many costing nothing at all, according to the Department of Health.
However, these mechanisms can take several weeks to become fully implemented, requiring a particularly patient and understanding employer.
Seeing the potential
Working with disabled women to understand how to help them be as productive as possible at work, and perhaps taking responsibility for some of that help in the first instance, would also send a powerful message.
There are other, simpler ways to support disabled women in work, as alluded to earlier.
Flexible working is a simple change for many in this age of teleconferencing, remote access and “bring your own device”. Yet it can have a profound impact on the capacity of disabled women to contribute to the workplace, which could yield huge benefits to businesses.
All the way back in 2007, the Disability Rights Commission estimated that raising the employment rate of disabled workers to that of non-disabled workers would generate six months of economic growth, boosting the economy by £13bn.
The Chartered Management Institute estimated in 2016 that doing the same thing for women could boost GDP by 10 per cent by 2030 and add £41bn to the economy each year.
Businesses need to see the potential in creating opportunity for marginalised groups.
Skilled, loyal workers are out there, and employers with vision can seize the moment and lead the way in a virtuous circle that would benefit them as much as it does society as a whole, and the individuals they take on in particular.
Steven Dean is research and communication specialist at Canada Life Group Insurance