Disclosing Disability

Prepare for your future …

10.

Disclosing Disability

Prepare for your future today ….

S:\SQ_CAREERS\Publications\Careers Series Booklets\10 Disclosing Disability 2014.doc – Updated Nov 2014

The advice in this publication is designed to help you plan your strategy.

Think about what you have read, turn it into action points and implement them.

Good luck!

If you require a copy of this publication in large print or another format, please enquire at Career Reception.

This symbol is used to highlight information of relevance to students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties

Careers Foster Entrance Foyer   

01772 895858 www.uclan.ac.uk/careers careers@uclan.ac.uk

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: Friday:

9:00 – 5:00 9:00 – 4:00

© Copyright licensed to the University of Central Lancashire To request permission to reproduce any text from this booklet for commercial purposes contact: careers@uclan.ac.uk

Prepare for your future today ….

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Careers Team University of Central Lancashire Revised 2014/Version 1

Introduction Making a decision to disclose a disability or not when applying for work is an individual one.

This leaflet helps you to explore the issues surrounding disability disclosure to assist you in your decision.

Overview There is good evidence to suggest that graduates with disabilities are competing successfully in the graduate job market and you can explore this further on the Prospects website under: www.prospects.ac.uk. More specific information can be found on the AGCAS website under: www.agcas.org.uk. Here you can view or download ‘What Happens Next? A Report on the First Destinations of 2009/2010 Disabled Graduates (2012)’ Several factors have had an impact on this success: graduate employers are taking more positive action in their recruitment and selection processes and are aware of the need to make adjustments; legislation and the advocacy of disability organisations have also helped to bring about changes in attitudes and practice.

However, despite changes in attitudes and practices, discrimination can still occur.

Disabled workers share the same general employment rights as other workers. However, there are also some special rights for disabled people under the Equality Act 2010. The purpose of this Bill is to make Britain a fairer place, where people have the opportunity to succeed whatever their race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs.

Further information can be found on the Governments Equalities Office website: http://homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/equality-act/ .

For further details of your rights under this Act see the Equality and Human Rights Commission website at www.equalityhumanrights.com.

Before Disclosing your Disability Before you decide whether or not to disclose your disability, it is important to bear in mind some of the points below: The Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act provides disabled people with rights in a number of areas including applications for employment. Under the terms of the Act, it is unlawful for employers to treat an applicant or employee with disabilities less favorably than other applicants or employees for any reasons connected to their disability unless there is justification for such action.

Prepare for your future today ….

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This also includes discrimination by perception or association.

It covers the following: • • • • • •

Application forms; Interview arrangements; Proficiency tests; Job offers; Terms of employment; Promotion, transfers or training opportunities.

Employers of any size are covered by the Act, including employment agencies and work experience providers. Employees, whether temporary, part time or permanent, or contract workers are covered. The only major occupation not covered by the Act is service in the armed forces.

What counts as a disability?

• • •

The Equality Act 2010 considers someone to be disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

Special rules apply to certain impairments such as progressive conditions; for example people with cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis are protected effectively from the point of diagnosis.

A mental illness does not have to be clinically recognised before it is judged to be a mental impairment for the purposes of the Act.

Health and safety •

Whilst under the new Equality Act 2010 you can choose to disclose or not, in some cases you maybe be obliged to disclose, for example; 'it is necessary to disclose if the job for which you are applying could bring you into an environment where your disability could present a risk to your own health and safety and that of your colleagues.’

Financial assistance •

You may be able to apply for Access to Work; this can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs; further information via www.direct.gov.uk

•

Many employers are committed to employing disabled people and actively seek to recruit people with disabilities to reflect their commitment to a diverse workforce.

Prepare for your future today ….

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Positive employers

Look out for the Two-Ticks symbol that many employers use to demonstrate their commitment to considering disabled applicants.

More information is available at www.direct.gov.uk

How to disclose Under the Equality Act 2010 jobseekers with disabilities can choose whether or not they wish to disclose. If you choose to disclose, you can do this in a number of ways, either in a covering letter, on the application form, at pre-interview stage or at interview.

As mentioned above, early disclosure can give the employer time to make the adjustments needed, but you might find it easier to disclose when you are face to face with the employer at the interview.

Do: •

demonstrate that your disability has not limited your personal achievements, study or work experience;

•

try to anticipate any anxieties that the interviewer may have;

•

provide factual information about your disability if required (but don’t use complicated medical terminology).

Don’t: •

assume that you are going to be viewed in a negative way by a selection panel;

•

allow an interviewer to make your disability or health problem the focus of the interview;

•

leave room for doubt; be positive about your skills and abilities.

Summary

•

The nature of your disability and the work involved;

•

The terms and conditions of the job;

•

The nature and culture of the employer - have you looked at their web site? Does it refer to ways in which they help people with disabilities? If you are applying to a twotick employer then it is advantageous to disclose as these employers guarantee to

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Before applying for any job, think about the following:

interview every applicant with a disability provided they meet the initial criteria. A two-tick employer will put a two-tick logo on their job advertisement; •

Are there any health and safety issues that need to be addressed?

•

Think about the consequences of not disclosing your disability. Could your disability come to light in some way in the future? If that happened how would you deal with it?

It is a good idea to think through the arguments for and against disclosure before making your decision, as well as considering how you will disclose your disability to your potential employer.

Please contact The Careers Adviser for Disabled Students/Graduates who, if you wish, will help you explore this area further.

Further Information We have a booklet that explains our service further which you can pick up from the Careers centre or download from www.uclan.ac.uk/futuresdisability . You can access a number of disability specific resources such as ‘Diversity Matters – Disability and mental health’ which gives more detailed information about disclosure..

The UCLan Careers website contains a range of careers booklets, offering advice and tips to help you, at www.uclan.ac.uk/careersbooklets. You can also find information on the site about relevant events, workshops and elective modules.

Prepare for your future today ….

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