Disabled people looking for work are to be helped by a groundbreaking partnership between big business and the public sector.

Disability @ Work aims to to bring together job seekers with employers to help smooth the process.

The scheme, launched this Thursday, has come out of a partnership between Abbey National, Bradford Council, Bradford NHS Hospital Trust and Asian Disability Network.

A key facet of the project is that it will be run by disabled people and also aims to particularly help people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Lord Tugenhadt, chairman of Abbey National, said: "We recognise, respect and value individual differences, acknowledging the distinctive contribution that each person makes to business success.

"Disabled people have much to contribute in the workplace and employers have a major responsibility and role to play in ensuring equality and quality of treatment."

Abbey National has introduced disability aids and adaptations across its business including text phones, Braille and audiotape.

The bank has played a key role in the project's development by setting up an employers' Disability Equality Network in Bradford offering jobs while the Bradford NHS Trust is offering placements and workshops.

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive member for the economy, said: "I am delighted by the backing from Abbey National and the Bradford NHS Trust for the project.

''The new partnership will help hundreds of disabled people learn new skills and gain greater confidence in the workplace."

As well as arranging jobs, Disability @ Work will offer advice on applying for positions, how to write a CV and visiting employment centres. Between the launch and March 2004, the venture is aiming to offer employment support to about 30 people a month.

The project is receiving three years' funding from the government's New Deal for Disabled People in an extension to its grant for the area which has already helped 50 people find work.