Those tricky Job specs- disabled and how to answer?

Dee78

Hi all?
I have a physical disability and  looking at applying for a different part time job 
This one is in a museum, an education organiser type  role, involving lots of communication, office based and school based work. 

The job is not a role that is highly highly physical ( ie not a fork lift truck driver!) But then randomly, the last  ‘essential’ job specification is ‘must be able to lift chairs and tables!’

How do I answer that one in a job application? I cannot physically do that. Does that mean the job isn’t open to some disabled people?

 But I surely  I could easily ask colleagues to help , as a reasonable adjustment? Just don’t know what to put on the form. I need to meet the job spec to get an interview.

Many thanks 
Dalya

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Unfortunately some jobs cannot be adjusted for disabled people and there may not be other people available to assist you 

I would put with assistance uou would be able to do this and see what happens 

durhamjaide2001

Just to add onto what @janer1967 is saying  they aren't supposed to discriminate disabled people if there's reasonable adjustments that can be make. However there's some conflict there as some derivative buildings which can't be changed as it would change the history of the building. Also I would try and avoid museums unless you are 99.9% sure that it's a modern building with disabled access throughout. 

Dee78

Thanks Durham and Jane.
Much appreciate your thoughts 
I’m familiar with the museum as I already work there, and it is accessible for me.
 I know that the nature of the job is possible for me except for the lifting and tables and chairs. This won’t happen often at all. Not a key part of the role 
So as you advised, reasonable adjustments can be asked for

So I suppose I can put on my application form ‘ I can move tables and chairs with reasonable adjustments ( ie asking someone else😆) It does though reveal my disability on the form. But my CV will reveal this too:as I’ll put disability campaigner on there! 

janer1967

I wouldn't shy away from disclosing your disability as then adjustments can be discussed from the start rather than getting tye job and then finding out they may feel you wasn't up front with them 

Also if you already work there are they not aware already 

I would go with what you suggested 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Dee78, as a former museum worker with a physical disability I can completely understand where you are coming from!  

I would agree with the suggestions from our members here, as you say, as I remember writing in my own applications "I am able to lift and carry objects with assistance as and when this is required". 

I do feel that organisations really shouldn't be putting this kind of thing on their job spec, as it does present an immediate barrier to anyone who cannot physically do this. It should be desirable at least.  Reasonable Adjustments are there for a reason, and you have every right to ask for them.

As long as your employer is aware of your disability they have a duty under the equality act. 

I often had the feeling that a lot of job descriptions are written with a particular candidate in mind, and I'm sure that's not just within heritage.

Some 'essential' criteria can be quite shocking, I remember reading one museum job description where a driving license and car were essential in order to give the volunteers a lift home at the end of the day! I would argue that's stretching things a little   


Good luck with your application, let us know how it goes if you do apply!

Dee78

Thanks Jane and also Alex- So nice to meet a fellow (former) museum worker!

Ha, ha yes 'must have driving license' to take volunteers home is a little too much for a job spec. 

Good advice, thank you. I ended up contacting the recruitment team, and in a kind way pointing out that 'must be able to move tables and chairs' in the essential job spec, when it was only a very irregularly occurring part of the role, did make it look like job was not for some disabled people! 

They were glad I pointed it out, and said that they didn't mean it to come across this way, and I should still apply. 

Still have the conundrum of what to put on the personal statement in answer to that criteria. But since they know me anyway, I think I will just put ' I can do this with reasonable adjustments etc. 

Thanks, I will let you know how it goes. Feel a little under qualified for it, but you never know! I need a confidence boost☺️

Take care all X

Alex_Alumni

You never know indeed @Dee78, go for it! I'm sure you're more than capable.

I'm so glad to hear the recruitment team took what you said on board, and that it wasn't their original intention to exclude anyone. And your plan for the personal statement sounds good to me

I once went for another role at a place I already worked, and completely fluffed it, because I was so shocked at being given a tour of the museum that it really threw me off during the interview. That's only my own experience mind you!

There's some advice I've personally found helpful since then, if you do get invited for interview, pretend you've never met anyone before  

Keeping our fingers crossed for you!