Help out -

INDITics

Hi!,

I want to help out with disability awareness in work and want to help as many people get a job that they want to do and not just settle because they are disabled,  I work on a disability network and we are trying to get more people involved but I don't know if disabled people and the neurodivergent would like and want jobs in Insurance, IT, claims, operations, facilities etc.

I want to create a place for people to be able to apply to work in the city and not feel like they'd be discriminated because they require adjustments and working days that benefit the person and not the business.

Anyone want to share an experience or would like to go into a field that is seen as non disability friendly?

Albus_Scope

Hi @INDITics, thanks for wanting to help out the community! 

I've found a lot of my 'neuro-spicy' friends have gravitated towards roles in the IT field. So there's definitely people interested. 

If you wanted to speak to someone more in the know at Scope, you can fill in the online contact form and someone will get back to you. And good luck, I love this idea! 

DmRitchie

I think there is many disabled people who would love jobs that they want rather than settling. (I am currently working with Employment Data for Disabled People), and given the disability employment gap, the more opportunities the better. I think part of the problem is making people aware these opportunities exist. 

I fell into my role in Data Analysis (then got my ND diagnosis), but have always had an interest in IT, and Data. I think there is great potential in your idea, and I'll follow with interest and if I can provide any input or assistance I'm very much willing to. It might also be worth looking at whether DWP might be interested as there is a push currently (in part supported by hybrid working) to improve employment opportunities for disabled people. (No I don't work for DWP) 

INDITics

@DmRitchie - I am in the same boat I got diagnosed with Tourettes and a whole load of other things before getting my job, I have been working in insurance and IT since 15 and i was diagnosed at 21, I fell into my role going on a gap year. I had some experiemce in underwriting and realised they are still so behind on inclusion and i think some sectors in underwriting especially from what I've seen just think disability is what you can see the person "isn't normal". I have read many stories on here of people's work being ableist and offensive and I would love to help out and create a space where we can see all these jobs going and we can give it a try.

I know the company i work for are great to me and I would love to be able to get more of us in places like insurance.

INDITics

@DmRitchie - what about a Disability friendly careers evening, its a non formal and unpressured event for people of the community to go into spaces like insurance and be pitched these roles and jobs and then esstentially seeing the people before the interview before they need to prep for question may give them some reassurance before either turning it away or before applying. kinda like when you go to open days for college or school??

Jimm_Scope

@DmRitchie How did you get into a role in Data Analytics if you don't mind me asking?

I love playing with data. I've had actual fun making dashboards and analysing our community! But I've not any professional training in it. My partner actually has a degree in Data Science with a specialisation in Data Visualisation, what she does is so interesting.

DmRitchie

@Jimm_Scope I fell into to it. In 2010 I started as an AA (lowest grade) in the civil service. One senior manager recognised I was good with organising information and built an intranet site for that unit. Then a few years later another manager who had worked in that unit asked if I could help with planning data which I enjoyed and then I started looking for promotions in data/planning roles. My most recent promotion was into a Data and Management Information Lead role. I had no formal qualifications all the way through (met the initial requirement for Maths and English due to an NVQ 3 in Catering), and have worked my up. I then looked at what apprenticeships were on offer, and found a Level 4 in Data Analysis with Power BI. 

Lots of smaller organisation would be more interested in what you have done then what your qualified to do as there is a real shortage of affordable skills. Also as in England you can get the apprenticeship paid for by the Apprenticeship Levy so be proactive with an employer and they may see it as a way to get a trained person without having to pay inflated wages. 

Jimm_Scope

I don't think I'm going to do it as a career, as interesting as I find it, I'm certainly quite happy at Scope right now. I was just intrigued by your pathway into the role as the only other person I know in that area is my partner who went through university. Really interesting! Makes me wonder the differences, if there are any, between both your perspectives on data and it's visualisation/use.