Career & Disability
Building an accessible future
Disability should never be a barrier to employment. There are disabled people working in every field you can think of, including nursing, teaching, sports, business, law, media, IT, and veterinary science.
Under the Equality Act of 2010, employers are required to remove barriers in the workplace for disabled people, and financial assistance is available to help them do so. You should always begin exploring your options based on your goals and interests. From there, you can consider any advice or support you might need.
When applying and interviewing for jobs, don’t be afraid to ask for any reasonable adjustments, such as getting documents in an alternative format, such as large print, Braille or electronically.
Seek specialist advice
Although it is illegal to discriminate against someone with a disability, many people still face challenges getting to and staying in the workplace. Because of this, it’s important that you understand the following:
- understand your legal rights at work
- how to get support to reach your career goals
- exploring your options
- finding out about funding and support schemes like Access to Work
- finding support that meets your specific needs
- accessing professionals like mentors, advocates and disability advisers
Through Disability Confident, many UK employers have committed to creating inclusive workplaces.
Discussing your Disability
It is not necessary to disclose a disability to an employer unless it is directly asked about on a medical questionnaire. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits employers from asking candidates questions about their health that are not related to the job role.
The decision to be open about your impairment is a personal one and people often worry about discrimination, prejudice, or lack of confidentiality. When you do inform your employer, you are more protected by the Equality Act in case of a workplace dispute. Discrimination claims might be less successful if an employer can demonstrate they didn’t know you were disabled. Other advantages to telling a potential employer include:
- Employers are often eager to hire disabled workers
- It gives you the chance to talk positively about yourself
- Adjustments can be put in place earlier
- You might improve your working relationship
- By explaining your CV, you can overcome obstacles like gaps in your education or work history, which might otherwise work against you.
Information about your impairment is protected by the Equality Act and the General Data Protection Regulations. Unless you consent, this information cannot be shared with others.
Access to Work
If you are disabled or have a health condition, Access to Work can help you get or keep a job. Your needs will determine how much support you receive. The following services are available through Access to Work:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- advice about managing your mental health at work
- money to pay for communication support at job interviews
Access to Work grants can help to pay for help, such as a BSL interpreter or note take, vehicle adaptions, accessible hardware, and support workers
Disability Confident
The Disability Confident scheme plays a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. By practising inclusive recruitment, participating companies are transforming their own businesses, networks, and communities.
The scheme helps employers recruit and retain great employees and provides:
- access to as many potential employees as possible
- ensures high-quality, loyal employees are kept on
- by treating all employees equally, morale and commitment are improved
Moreover, it helps customers and other businesses determine which employers are committed to equality at work.
EmployAbility
The EmployAbility website provides disability-related job-seeking advice, internships, and graduate schemes for students and recent graduates.
Their mission is to make the workplace truly accessible to people with disabilities. They strive to help companies embed inclusion and belonging in their cultures. EmployAbility aims to level the playing field by empowering talented and disabled graduates to build the career they deserve and ensuring experienced employees can progress and flourish.
Useful Links
Job and Employability Help
- Job Help campaign – Government website with a number of resources to help you find the right role
- Disability Rights UK – Careers advice and disability rights
- Remploy – delivering high-performing employment support programmes
- The Shaw Trust – building a future where rewarding employment is accessible for all.
Learning disabilities
- Scope support to work – advice for every stage of your job search
- Mencap – support to access and stay in work
Medical conditions
- MacMillan Cancer support – help with work if you have or have had cancer
- MS Society – employment and skills advice for living and working with MS
Specific learning disabilities
- National Autistic Society – advice for people with autism to find and stay in work
- Ambitious about autism – breaking down barriers at work for autistic people
- British Dyslexia Association – looking for work advice if you have dyslexia
- The Dyspraxia Society – guidance on coping with dyspraxia in the workplace
Sensory disabilities
- RNID – help to find a job or get support at work, if you are deaf or have hearing loss
- RNIB equality rights and employment advice – for blind and partially sighted people
- Sense – support for people with sensory impairments who want to get into work
Mental health
- Mind back-to-work support – advice on managing your money and getting back into work
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If you have any questions please get in touch
If you have any questions please get in touch
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