Disability Special Issue 2011 by Real World

www.realworldmagazine.com

graduate jobs + careers advice + sector news + case studies + employer profiles +

» Getting it right Disability law laid bare P12

»L ooking good The companies that want you P10

2011 make a life not just a

»M yth busters P16

living

exclusive FRANCESCA MARTINEZ

‘ I’m Francesca. this is what I can do’

D I S A B I L I T Y

CONTENTS

up front Editor’s Letter

Profile: Helen Cooke

features Inspiration

Interview: Francesca Martinez The writer, comedian motivational speaker and actor talks about being wobbly and being happy 07 What does a good company look like?

Your rights, what if?

Case study

Myth Busters

Make a life, not just a living At Real World we believe you should have a job that you want to get out of bed for. You should be doing something that’s going to inspire you, reward you and challenge you for the next 50 years. We help you do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do. We want to be the ones to tell you about the job opportunity that’ll change your life. And we want to help you to get that job and then succeed without limits. Real World is more than just a magazine. We’re leaders in graduate employment research. We train people how to raise their game. Everything we do is about helping you understand your career, kick-starting it and developing it. After all, apart from sleeping, you’ll spend more time working than doing anything else in your life. We want you to make a good living, but we also want you to make a good life in the process. No sugar-coating and no dry job jargon – Real World tells it like it is. Just the best facts, advice and opportunities.

EDITOR

Consultant Editor: Helen Cooke

Reporters: Maxwell Ward,

which is the Equality Act is now full in

Editorial Publisher: Johnny Rich Editor: Jon Madge

Sam Passmore, Tom Brookes Graphic designer: Angela Wozniak Sales Andrea Moretti

s we hit the shelves, Diversity is the word on the street. There have been some big changes to the world

of work in the last year, not least of

Marketing and Distribution Manager

force, hopefully putting an end to discrimination. With that in mind welcome to the Real World disability special. Inside you’ll find an interview with writer,

James Munday

actress, comedian and motivational

Client Services Manager

speaker Francesca Martinez, along

Marie Tasle

with a guide to your rights in the workplace and graduates keen to tell

FOUNDER

you their stories from the frontline of

Darius Norell

employment.

Real World

So what are you waiting for? Enjoy.

22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ Tel: 020 7735 4900 info@realworldmagazine.com

Jon, Editor

www.realworldmagazine.com

jon@realworldmagazine.com

Careers For job vacancies, careers advice and case studies. Copyright © 2010 Cherry Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post. The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.

Arberry Profile is a magazine featuring opportunities for disabled graduates

Helen Cooke Consultant editor on disability Helen Cooke is founder of My+, a consultancy specialising in disabilities, confidence and talent, and runs the Disability Café employment events

‘ There’s been a lack of confidence in this area from some organisations, but we’re working with them to boost that. ’ 4 RW WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

ounder of Disability Cafe employment events and the diversity-minded consultancy My Plus, Helen Cooke told us why disabilities are top of her agenda. Helen Cooke is the director and founder of My Plus, the consulting business aiming to get employers recruiting more disabled talent. “I see things from both sides of the coin,” says Helen, describing how the motivation for My Plus came about, “because of my HR background and the fact that I’m in a wheelchair myself due to a childhood injury. Having originally worked at Marks and Spencer, I moved to Mars, then into HR. It was as a graduate recruiter at Mars that I realised how much I enjoyed working with graduates. “My Plus is five years old now, and it was born in the knowledge that there is a huge amount of disabled talent not being tapped into. There has been a lack of confidence in this area from some organisations, but we’re working with them to boost that.” Asked what My Plus’s biggest achievement was so far, Helen said, “Running a business is always a journey,

but I’m very proud of the companies that we’re dealing with through the Disability Cafe concept. The feedback we’re getting is that it’s making a big difference.” Helen explains the Disability Café concept as being based on the World Cafe format, with the belief that “the best conversations happen in small, informal groups.” “At big events you miss out on ideas from those who aren’t on the stage,” says Helen. “So what we do is ask questions which the clients discuss in groups of four or five, then, after they have had time to talk, all but one of the group move on to a different table. We do at least three rounds of groups before we ask for feedback. Disabled graduates and undergraduates are involved - they are really pivotal to the process. It is easy to underestimate how much employers learn from them.” The Disability Café’s website gives information on Graduate specific café events which are “designed for Graduate Recruiter’s - to help them achieve real progress in attracting, recruiting and developing disabled graduates.” For more info on the Disability Café, go to www.disability-cafe.com

DISABILITY | MATT KING

iNSPIRED

Matt King is about to finish university, has a job lined up and workS part-time in a local hospital – the ideal life plan for most graduates. He talks to Real World about having it all - and being paralysed from the neck down

y name is Matthew King, 23, and I am currently studying the Legal Practice Course at the University of Hertfordshire Law School, having graduated last year with an Honours Law Degree. In 2004, at the age of 17, I was playing in my first professional rugby match and following a tackle early in the game, I broke my neck leaving me paralysed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. Looking back, I am totally unaware of how the damage to my neck was caused, but I knew immediately that my life was never going to be the same again. That split second on the pitch, when the accident occurred, has completely changed my life. Prior to my accident I had always been very active and had applied to join

the RAF following the completion of my ‘A’-levels; however, given the extent of my disability and physical limitations, I quickly had to re-evaluate my goals and identify a career that was still possible for me to pursue. During my ninemonth stay in hospital, I became very low, despondent and lonely, but that time also gave me the opportunity to think through my options. Originally, I thought that journalism, and particularly sports journalism, would be a suitable career choice, but the more I began to think about things, the more a career in law seemed most suited to me. I am no longer able to move any part of my body below my neck, and although this is obviously a great limitation, the ability to

‘ There was no reason why I still couldn’t build a meaningful life for myself ’ have use of my hands is not a prerequisite for a legal career, compared to a job like carpentry where it would have been. I have been able to overcome my physical limitations with the help of a scribe who comes to university with me

and who I dictate my lecture notes and examinations to. I also use voice recognition technology on my computer to to prepare my own work. I’m currently in my final year of university, and will begin a training contract with Stewarts Law in London in September 2011. I’m also working part-time as a peer adviser for the Spinal Injuries Association in the spinal unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, speaking with newly injured patients who have suffered a spinal cord injury and their families, trying to provide them with support, advice and maybe a little bit of hope regarding their future plans and aspirations. Although a cliché, if by sharing my own experiences I am able to make a small difference in the lives of others who have suffered a spinal cord injury similar to myself, it will definitely be worthwhile. When I first sustained my injury in 2004 and became aware of the extent of my disability, I truly thought that it would not be possible for me to return to education and attempt to build a career for myself. However, if I concentrated on the things that I could still achieve, rather than dwelling on the things that I couldn’t, there was no reason why I still couldn’t build a meaningful life for myself. If my experiences have taught me one thing, it would be that, regardless of the extent of somebody’s disability, there are always options and support available, which will allow that person to continue to lead a fulfilling life and build a successful career for themselves.

WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 5

New frontiers The world’s financial markets are under closer scrutiny than ever before. In the wake of the financial crisis, some governments have moved to restrict short selling – betting that prices are going to fall. As a lawyer at Allen & Overy, what will that and other changes mean for your clients? It will be down to you to help your clients negotiate the evolving regulatory environment – to structure products and transactions that continue to deliver commercial advantages within a legal framework that is itself changing. You will be their guide, providing ideas and solving problems at the frontiers of business and law. Careers at Allen & Overy are about providing clear, insightful legal advice, working collaboratively – with colleagues and clients – and striving to deliver outstanding results. Your role will be to bring clarity to complex issues and support decision-making at the highest level, enabling our clients – some of the most ambitious companies in the world – to address challenges that will define their futures. In today’s legal and business landscape, our clients expect intelligent commercial advice delivered consistently and globally. Join us and be part of our success. Start at the top.

A Career in Law www.allenovery.com/careeruk Allen & Overy means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings

2010

DISABILITY | FRANCESCA MARTINEZ

motivational speaking because when you see a comedy show the emphasis is on ‘tell the gags and make them laugh’. But in the other speeches you have a bit more freedom to say more serious stuff and that’s really nice after years of just having to get laughs.

cerebral palsy sufferer, she prefers to describe herself as “wobbly”. Real World asked her about what keeps her motivated. As well as being a comedian and writer you’re also a ‘motivational speaker’. What motivates you? I love people and I love communicating. For me, having time on stage is a real privilege. The thought that people left their houses to see me is pretty amazing and I always feel quite overwhelmed by it. So I always feel a real desire to entertain them but also leave them with something a bit richer, a bit deeper. As an audience member I always want to come away from events like mine and be some way challenged; to have my attitudes challenged or my ideas challenged. So I guess I’m very motivated by the idea that comedy, as an art form, can be more than just something to make you laugh. I think it can actually serve a very important purpose, especially now when we live in such a controlled, media-savvy environment where it’s very difficult to get genuine opinion and thought which isn’t edited or sponsored. So I’m very inspired by the fact I have that time to be able to speak honestly and openly about things I feel are really important. It’s great to have the

8 RW WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Do you feel comedy can make a difference? Well I’m not mad enough to think it’s the answer to everything but I do think art in general can play a huge part in shifting and changing society. If you look back over history, a lot of big movements have started with artists putting new ideas forward. You need a mixture, you need political backing, you need laws, so I do think it’s a combination. I believe a hugely important part in the disability movement is having more disabled people in the media to show we’re part of everyday life. But you also need the laws to back that up and help stamp out discrimination. Human beings are funny. If you can engage with someone on a personal level they’re far more receptive of ideas about difficult issues or taboo subjects than if you just deliver something in a very dry way. And I’ve found comedy is a fantastic way to tackle awkward subjects. There’s something about making people laugh that relaxes them, so I think that’s why it lends itself to talking about subjects which may be un-talked about. It seems to have this ability to just cut through the crap and go straight to the heart. When I started 11 years ago that was a profound realisation for me. Before I started comedy I was very much in denial about who I was. I didn’t have a very good time at high school and I came out feeling very negative about who I was and wishing I was ‘normal’, whatever that is, and comedy saved me. It showed me that I can go out and say, ‘this

is me, I’m Francesca, here I am, this is what I can do, this is what I can’t do’. It taught me a huge life lesson and stopped me feeling embarrassed by myself. I know that sounds like a movie but stand-up did change my life in that respect. Doing positive motivational speaking seems very different to a lot of comedy which focuses on the negative, tearing things down and pointing out what’s wrong. How does that fit with your approach? Well I’ve never been a fan of nasty, schoolyard humour. It’s easy, but I genuinely don’t think it takes a lot of skill. Some of my stuff is quite cutting, but only when I feel politically or morally angry about a country’s actions or something that’s happened or the consumerobsessed world we live in. Ultimately, when you tell a joke, you have a core thing you want to communicate. I don’t want to communicate to my audience that the world is shit - quite the opposite. You could say I’m a positive comedian in that respect. I want people leaving my shows feeling better about who they are. One of the things I’m most passionate about, because it’s played a big part in my life, is how your attitudes shape your whole life. I spent about 8 years of my life very unhappy and very negative and then it all changed in a moment. Though in a way nothing much has changed, my disability hasn’t gone or got better, but as I started to view it in a different light it ceased to be a bad thing. Ultimately it’s the way we

‘ My cerebral palsy has nothing to do with whether I’m funny or not. ’

DISABILITY | FRANCESCA MARTINEZ

see ourselves and the world around us that defines whether we’re happy or confident. I’m annoyed for wasting years of my life feeling negative. This is probably the only life we’re going to get and it’s going to be over in a blink of an eye and we’re worrying about, ‘oh I can’t believe I wore that top’, it’s crazy! You once said it was often quite difficult to get your act on TV, does that disappoint you? It’s weird because I’ve been going for 11 years. During the first few years you get ‘no’s and you think that’s probably quite normal - I’m new and it’s competitive. But when you go on and on and achieve more and more, but see people on TV who haven’t even been going 2 years you just think ’oh, is it because I’m wobbly?’ When I tour, 99% of my audiences are mainstream, able-bodied crowds and they ask ‘why don’t we see you on more things?’ People in powerful positions tend to ask back people who reflect themselves, so that’s why you see a lot of middle class, white, male comedians. So obviously I’m trying to open closed doors and it can feel frustrating, but I equate it to when black and ethnic actors could only get certain parts on TV. There has to be a real push and a real pressure to change. I’m happy if I can be part of that pressure to change but who knows how long it’ll take. My agent tried to get me on a stand-up show recently and they said, ‘we don’t want to book her just because she’s got cerebral palsy’. What does that mean? I wish people would stop defining me by my cerebral palsy which has nothing to do with whether I’m funny or not.

dream of mine for years to do a sitcom about a character like me, which isn’t about disability. Finally, would you have any advice for graduates, who, given things are the way they are, may be in need of some motivation The biggest thing that I would say to anyone that age, is ‘just go into an area that you’re passionate about’. I meet so many people who say ‘I hate my job, I wish I could be an x, y or z’ and I just think that’s so sad. We’re bought up with this emphasis on career and money and pensions. So with younger people I always try and encourage them [to do what they are passionate about], even

if it goes against the wishes of their parents or cultural pressures, because loads of people are pushed into things they’re totally unsuited for and they don’t really feel they can express themselves. It’s your life, not your parents life, so you’ve got to try and tune in to what you feel. One of the most liberating things I ever did was figure out was, ‘no one is normal, what is this normal?’ Just take that out of the equation and liberate yourself. Just say, I’m not living for anyone else or trying to please anyone else. I found a very simple shift in the way you view yourself can make life a lot easier and allow you to concentrate on the important stuff.

So does it drive you on? I don’t see it as a personal insult we’re living in a really superficial age anyway. There are TV channels that won’t let you on if you’re above 30, what hope have I got? I’m wobbly and above 30! I should retire! I’m not driven on by ‘I’m going to show you’. I’m driven because I love my job. For the past 6 years I have been working on a sitcom project for the BBC and that’s very close to my heart. I really, really, really want that to happen because it’s been a

WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 9

DISABILITY | KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

DISABILITY: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Since the 2nd of December 1996, it has been unlawful for employers to treat people with disabilities less favorably than those without on the basis of their condition.

10 RW WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

DISABILITY | KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

‘ Just 50% of working age people with a disability have a job. ’

et, according to Shaw Trust, a national charity which works with employers and those with disabilities, the employment statistics gathered between January and March 2009 tell a different story. The figures showed that there are 1.3 million people with a disability in the UK who are available and want to work. However, just 50% of working age people with a disability are in work. That’s 30% less than for people without a disability. So what are the reasons for these statistics? Are employers breaking the law? Shaw Trust argue that much of the problem is due to society disabling people more than their condition or disability does. Too few potential employers have considered that disabled people will have faced up to very different daily challenges, and acquired skills that able-bodied employees never have. Graduates with disabilities have displayed their skills and abilities in a way which has allowed them to flourish academically, something which should be considered a credit when applying for that first job. Shaw Trust would recognise that not all companies are guilty of this silent discrimination however, and the Office for National Statistics have produced

some considered research on working conditions for their disabled workforce, and the disabled minority in the UK as a whole. Heath Jefferies, the Senior Media Relations Officer for the Office of National Statistics explains, “The Life Opportunities Survey tracks the experiences of disabled people over time to assess transitions through key

life stages, such as moving from childhood to adulthood - or in and out of work. Survey topics include work and learning, health, transport, community and social life, leisure, use of key services, caring and domestic life, hate crime and discrimination, income and benefits.”

It is research which will not only benefit the Office of National Statistics in recruitment, but other companies too, those who consider the overdue employment of disabled staff a priority. Kent County Council are one such company, dedicating a large section of their website to explaining their policies towards recruiting, and retaining, disabled staff. The website states, “We have been approved to use the ‘two ticks’ symbol for the 7th year running because of our positive policies on the recruitment and retention of disabled people. This means we have signed up to key commitments: fair recruitment, the development of disabled staff, retention of staff who become disabled, ensuring all staff help to make the commitments to work, and annual reviewing and improving upon our commitments.” “Displaying the ‘two ticks’ symbol shows that we are serious about providing employment opportunities for disabled people. It makes it clear to potential disabled job applicants that we welcome their applications and will focus on their abilities. It also shows that we acknowledge and value the contribution of disabled people.” The National Audit Office, who like Kent County Council are presenting at the Diversity Careers Show this year, are another company who have embraced the Two Ticks Disability Scheme. Emily Wintle, the Diversity and Performance Management Specialist at the NAO explains how the company apply their measures. “The NAO is an inclusive workplace and has a number of active staff networks representing various diversity strands. The networks work closely with the diversity team, undertaking specific projects and providing support and guidance to other members.” The work done by the likes of the NAO, Kent County Council, and the Office for National Statistics, in tangent with the Shaw Trust, is helping to realign opinions about what disabled individuals are capable of. Not only will it allow many capable individuals into work, but it will benefit the employers too.

WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 11

Myth-busters: The truth goes head to head with the myths about graduate job hunting with a disability

DIVERSITY | MYTH BUSTERS

The my

th: If you’re disabled you’ll only be hired to meet a dive rsity quota – if you’re hired at all. The truth: Employers want the best person for the job, and are not interest ed in hiring someone solely bec ause they tick a ‘diversity’ box. Employ ers are much more interested in skills, experience, and whether you can do the job you’re applying for.

ice expert adv orld, with W l ea or R is v r It’s time fo uitment ad bbott, recr A y y, ce it ra il T ab friend um for Dis loyer’s For at the Emp e myths. to bust som

The myth: There is no imagery on most corporate websites of people with visible disabilities so it’s obvious I’m not welcome. The truth: “It’s a good idea for anyone prepa ring for an interview preparation to find out about the culture of an organisation,” says Trace y Abbott, “and it’s hard to do this from a websi te alone.” “There may be many reasons why a corporate website has few images of people with visible disabilities. While we encourage our members to make sure their corporate communications are representative, a lot of employers still have a way to go on this. Look to see if a company is a member of EFD or works with other diversity organisations. This will give you an idea of their practice on disability.” “Don’t forget to think laterally. If you find out an employer has a good reputation for being family-friendly, they may well be good at flexible working, which can also be a reaso nable adjustment for disabled people.” “During an interview, you could also ask about the longer-term prospects for career progression for disabled people in the organisation. This will help you glean useful information, while showing the interview panel you are seriou s about the role.”

The myth: The person hiring won’t understand your disability. The truth: “Only you are an expert in the way you are affected by disability,” says Tracey Abbott, Employers may need to be told what changes they need to make but they will be happy to make them once they know. “Present yourself as a positive person who can work with the employer to identify any adjustments they need to make. You will make it much easier for a prospective employer to imagine you doing the job they are recruiting for. That’s what all recruiters are looking for: the best person with the skills and experience for the role.” “Some employers and many EFD members run disability awareness training for staff involved in hiring decisions, so don’t assume the person hiring will have no knowledge of disability.” The same rules apply before you get the job. “Ahead of an interview, plan how you would describe your disability to a prospective employer in a positive, confident way that will demonstrate to them how you will do the job. You could practice what you will say to a friend or contact, so you are confident in getting across your points well. The interview panel don’t need to know all the details of your disability, but they will need to know if you need reasonable adjustments to do the job.”

The myth: It will be too expens ive for a company to accommodate your disabilit y and they won’t make the adjustments . The truth: “Em ployers are required under the Equality Act to make reason able adjustments for people with disabilities. Many do so bec ause they understand the value of hiring and retaining talente d disabled people, not out of legal obligation. The majority of such adjustments are eith er free or low-cost, so hiring a disabled person need not be an exp ense for an employer. If you do need equipment, such as ada ptiv e technology or a particular chair, then the governmen t-funded scheme Access to Work can cover costs for adjustment s that an employer can’t.”

The myth: You won’t be offered customer-facing jobs because employers will think your disability will make people feel

uncomfortable. The truth: An employer’s main concern is that the job gets done in the best possible way, so if you’re great with people they’ll want to use those skills. The top employers usually have good employers and, as Tracey Abbott points out, they all recruit disabled graduates, “Not every employer will be disability-confident, but many will be experienced in making adjustments and having disabled staff. Several of the EFD’s members, such as law and accountancy firms, regularly recruit disabled graduates and make adjustments for them.” WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 17

With training and support as comprehensive as ours, it’s easy to start getting ahead of yourself. Enterprise Management Training Programme If you’ve got your sights set on becoming a big name in business, you should come and see us. After all, with a global turnover of more than $12 billion, plus 3,400 people in the UK and Ireland alone, we’ve plenty of tips and pointers to help get you off to a flying start. Upon joining, you’ll be assigned to a branch to learn all about our business. We’ll make sure you’re given an excellent level of training and support as you develop management skills across all areas, from sales and marketing to customer service and finance. Throughout, we’ll give you plenty of opportunity to show your stuff as we evaluate your growing skills, and recognise and reward your development with pay increases and all sorts of opportunities for promotion. We won’t expect you to do it alone, either. You’ll be part of a team of like-minded people in the branch, each of whom will want to meet targets just as much as you. And while the challenges can be tough, we believe in having fun too. Because when you feel good, we know you learn more and progress faster. Start getting ahead of yourself by visiting www.enterprisealive.co.uk/RealW2010 or calling 0870 850 1232.

it’s an interesting world

Get under the skin

of it.

IT, Internet, ICT Research, Information Assurance, Mathematics, Language and Culture specialists Cheltenham | c.£25,000 + benefits With its different languages and cultures, belief systems and viewpoints, the world is a diverse and interesting place. As one of the UK’s intelligence services, so is our world of work. From helping stamp out cyber-crime and the illegal drugs trade, through to helping prevent acts of terror, we’re here to help create a safer, more democratic world for everyone. But while we use the latest and most exciting technology to counter those threats, it’s our people who really make the difference. So it’s not just your skills and qualifications that count. We’re looking for people from a variety of backgrounds - people who think differently, and who can bring a range of new perspectives to our work. In return you’ll enjoy unique opportunities for development, tailored to your individual needs. Get under the skin of our work. Find out more and apply online: www.careersinbritishintelligence.co.uk

TOP GOVERNMENT EMPLOYER

Applicants must be British Citizens. GCHQ values diversity and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.