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Students with Disabilities

The Careers Group, University of London is strongly committed to providing an excellent service to all its clients, regardless of background or disability, and is actively seeking to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. If you require help accessing any of the services provided by us please contact a member of staff, any of whom will be happy to help. Any information disclosed to us is treated in strict confidence.

The purpose of this leaflet is to provide information and useful referral points for students with disabilities when using the careers service. The information and lists provided do not claim to be comprehensive but we aim to provide a useful starting point for you.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005 defines a disability as 'a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'. This includes long term progressive illnesses such as HIV and cancer and covers those who are in remission from cancer. The act means that:

• It is unlawful for any employer to discriminate against any disabled person who is applying for a job or is in employment.
• Once an applicant has disclosed a disability, employers must make reasonable allowances in selection procedures (eg providing documents in enlarged fonts and extra reading or writing time when appropriate).
• Employers must make reasonable adjustments to the working environment to accommodate disabled employees (eg adapted telephones, voice-activated software, hours of work or job allocation).
• Service providers (eg businesses and organisations) must make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to remove any physical barriers to access.
• Certain disabilities may preclude individuals from some areas of employment but all reasonable alternatives should be explored before that decision is made.

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS?
Many employers recognise the advantages of recruiting a diverse workforce and openly promote their commitment by becoming members of the Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) and by using the 'Two Ticks' symbol when advertising job vacancies.

The EFD's purpose is to improve the job prospects of people with disabilities by making it easier for employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled staff. An up-to-date list of member organisations can be found at: http://www.efd.org.uk/about-us/members.

If your preferred employer does not appear to be a member or use the Two Ticks logo, then access their Equal Opportunities policy statement to find out what their position is.

The Two Ticks accreditation can be recognised by the following symbol BR>

ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING SPECIALISED ADVICE
Experience has shown that the core requirements of all students seeking employment or wishing to undertake postgraduate study are similar, but there are some organisations that provide specialised help for students with disability-related requirements.

Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm
Offering practical information on rights for disabled individuals, this site covers a wide range of issues including employment, education and training. This site contains a 'Find a Job Now' database (click on 'Employment' and then click on 'Looking for Work') and can put you in touch with disability employment advisers (DEAs) at your local Jobcentre. DEAs can provide a range of support, advice and information including:

• An employment assessment to identify what type of work or training suits you best
• Referral, where appropriate, to a Work Preparation programme
• Referral, where appropriate, to a Pathways to Work personal adviser
• Referral, where appropriate, to a work programme like the Job Introduction Scheme, WORKSTEP or Access to Work
• A job-matching and referral service. The DEA can tell you about jobs that match your experience and skills
• Information on 'two ticks' employers in your area

EmployAbility
www.employ-ability.org.uk, tel: 07852 764684, email: info@eability.org
EmployAbility is the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting disabled university graduates and undergraduates into employment. With strong links with universities and other key stakeholders across the UK, EmployAbility's purpose is to ease the transition from education to employment and provide support throughout the entire recruitment process. Offering advice on all aspects of the recruitment process and other key disability issues, they will also make recommendations regarding disability-inclusive employers, offer internship and placement scheme opportunities and run specialist recruitment events providing invaluable insights into specific industries and the opportunity to meet key recruiters not only from the UK's leading companies but also those who work on a global scale.

Employment Opportunities
www.opportunities.org.uk, tel: 020 7448 5441
This is a national charity that helps people with disabilities to find and retain work, as well as providing graduate recruitment advice. In particular, for undergraduates, they provide:

• Information and advice on applying for internships and interview techniques
• Workshops on campus including CV and application form writing
• Ongoing support, both throughout the recruitment process and once you are in work

Scope
http://www.scope.org.uk/
Scope's aim is that disabled people achieve equality. There are a number of opportunities at Scope to get involved in, either as a volunteer or employee. Scope welcomes applications from disabled people and they guarantee interviews to suitably qualified disabled applicants. Your personal direct experience and/or knowledge of disability will be seen as an advantage.

The Papworth Trust
www.papworth.org.uk, tel: 01480 357200 This organisation supports over 4,500 disabled people each year with services including employment, housing, care and advice. The common factor is giving disabled people the skills, opportunities and confidence to make choices about how they live their lives. Papworth Trust's Employment programmes provide support to graduates with a physical disability who want to get into work.

reach
www.careers.lon.ac.uk/reach, tel: 020 78240 4055 (contact Anna Colls)
reach is a mentoring programme run by The Careers Group, University of London, which aims to support any UK University of London student who feels they face particular barriers to their success. reach matches mentees with mentors who can help them find out more about working in their chosen field. Mentors come from a wide range of jobs including the legal sector, finance, media, and consultancy and offer advice about various aspects of the roles they play within their organisations.

Remploy
www.remploy.co.uk, tel: 0845 155 2700
Remploy creates independence for disabled people through work and is a leading provider of jobs for disabled people. Increasingly, the company is focusing on finding disabled people jobs in mainstream employment through its specialist recruitment service for people with a health condition or disability. Remploy Interwork works in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and some of the UK's top employers, offering a range of services to develop disabled jobseekers skills, including pre-employment training and recruitment programmes.

Shaw Trust
www.shaw-trust.org.uk, tel: 01225 716300
Shaw Trust is a national charity that provides routes into work for people who are disadvantaged in the workplace due to disability, ill-health or other social circumstances. They are one of the largest UK providers of employment services for disabled people. They run pre-employment activities in a supportive environment and work-related, accredited training.

Skill
www.skill.org.uk, tel: 020 7450 0620
This is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability and helping them to realise their potential in further and higher education, training, and employment throughout the UK. They provide a free information and advice service for disabled people and the professionals who work with them, via a freephone helpline, email and website. They also inform and influence key policy makers; promote best practice; run topical conferences and seminars; produce informative and practical publications; offer consultancy and staff training for colleges, universities and other organisations; and conduct research and develop projects.

Youreable.com
www.youreable.com, tel: 0844 888 1337
This is an information and news service for all disabled people and people with an interest in disability issues. It includes information on careers and lists a full range of job adverts from graduate recruitment schemes to media research jobs.

POSTGRADUATE STUDY
Are you wondering whether or not to take a postgraduate course? Do the benefits outweigh the cost? These issues are the same for all students. A careers adviser would be more than happy to discuss them with you.

If you require special help to undertake a course, contact the organisation and discuss your requirements with the admissions department or (in larger organisations) the Disability Officer. Certain charitable organisations and funding councils may provide financial help for students with disabilities. Contact Skill for further details.

DISCLOSING DISABILITY
When, what and how to disclose is often an issue for individuals with disabilities seeking either employment or a place on a postgraduate course, particularly when the disability is not overtly visible. Staff in the careers service will provide one-to-one advice and information to fit each individual's specific requirements and skills. Any information disclosed is treated in strict confidence.

SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT
Specialist equipment may help you to manage your disability and perform to the best of your ability in employment or postgraduate study. Even if you are using such equipment at present, changes in technology or differing requirements in your new role may lead to different equipment or adjustment needs. It is worth finding out what is currently available and if it has been improved recently. A number of specialist organisations exist to help match your specific needs with what is available including those listed above.

It is the aim of the careers service to help you identify and highlight your skills so you can obtain employment at the appropriate level, or attain a place on a suitable postgraduate study course. If you have any problems or are worried about specific issues, please contact them. Students of colleges that are members of The Careers Group, University of London can locate their college service on www.careers.lon.ac.uk.