On World Disability Day, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has called on the construction industry to do more to support tradespeople with disabilities. With labour shortages continuing to bite, the FMB is urging firms to recognise that disability does not prevent workers from contributing effectively on site.
The organisation highlights the experience of member Martin Sneddon of Martin and Son Builders as an example of what is possible when employers back disabled staff. Sneddon, who began his career as a bricklaying apprentice at 15 and went on to win the FMB Outstanding Builder of the Year award, has continued to work to a high standard after losing his hearing.
Sneddon said communication is critical in construction and that he has adapted through lip reading and developing a heightened awareness of safety around machinery. He uses the phrase, “you can’t see with your ears, but you can hear with your eyes,” to describe the visual awareness he relies on to stay safe and effective on site.
He added that construction can be highly rewarding for those prepared to work hard and deliver quality workmanship, and encouraged people with disabilities, visible or hidden, to consider a career in the sector. “People with hearing loss like me can do it, others can too,” he said, stressing the support he has encountered across the industry.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said World Disability Day is an opportunity to reflect on how the sector can become more inclusive. He argued that, in the context of a skills shortage, the industry has a duty to open up opportunities more widely and pointed to Sneddon as proof that “talent, skill, and dedication know no boundaries” when the right support is in place.
Berry praised Sneddon’s achievements at this year’s Master Builder Awards and said his success shows there are “no limits to what can be achieved” by disabled tradespeople. He urged employers to follow the example of members who are already adapting roles and workplaces to retain experienced staff.
However, recent data suggests that disabled workers are still more likely to have negative experiences in construction. The Supply Chain Sustainability School’s 2025 Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) programme survey found that respondents with disabilities reported poor treatment at work far more consistently than their non-disabled peers.
Writing for Planning, Building & Construction Today about the FIR Culture & Impact Report, Dana James-Edwards noted that the survey was conducted amid a wider backlash against diversity and inclusion initiatives. While a small minority of respondents rejected the value of such work, the overall findings showed that sustained investment in fairness, inclusion and respect delivers measurable benefits for individuals, organisations and the industry.
James-Edwards described the report as both a celebration of progress and a reminder that embedding inclusion is an ongoing journey requiring continued leadership and open dialogue. She quoted one respondent who said: “When people feel valued and supported, they’re more engaged, productive and loyal. FIR helps make that possible,” underlining the business case for a more inclusive construction workforce.
