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We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

What reasonable adjustments have you requested?

Rachel_Scope

I have just read a comment where someone didn't know what reasonable adjustments they could ask for in a job interview. So I thought we could share any adjustments we've requested so others are aware of what's available. Also, let us know if those adjustments were made.

This could be at work or at a benefits meeting, for example.

Due to my chronic pain, when I worked in a primary school I asked for an office chair so I didn't have to sit on a low, child's chair. This was accommodated but it was quite the battle!

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Reasonable adjustments

Comments

Stellar

I don't request any, because doing so would worsen my cptsd/anxiety and that would make it more likely I struggle with the role (and hence, lose the job). even being asked about it by employment staff or employers is triggering.

Not disclosing is itself an accommodation.

Rachel_Scope

I've never thought about it that way @Stellar. Do you wish there were any adjustments you could ask for if you weren't triggered?

saradotusername

It's wild isn't it that it can be such a battle for the most simple of adjustments.

I have a few in place, which I have to say I'm incredibly lucky to have - and no, it shouldn't be that way.

In terms of interviews I've requested (but not always received):

Questions in advance

Step free access

Extra time to answer questions

At work I have (and am able to use to varying degrees, some only when it suits the workplace or doesn't 'impact my professional profile')

Remote working (absolute gold dust where I work and I tend to keep it on a need-to-know basis for fear of the 'but she's getting special treatment' crowd)

Camera off during meetings

Rest breaks

Voice to text and text to voice software

Coaching for ADHD and autism

A specialist supportive chair

I don't know if I can say my mobility scooter is an adjustment but I list it on the workplace adjustments passport anyway, and with it comes - automatic doors or a colleague to assist, step free access to meetings etc.

Transcript/AI generated meeting notes with actions

Clear feedback with examples

I know how hard it is even to get the most basic adjustments in place though. I previously left a role at the same organisation because they wouldn't even have a conversation about adjustments, so it really varies across teams.

Rachel_Scope

Thanks for sharing all of the reasonable adjustments you've requested @saradotusername. It will be helpful to others who may not know what to ask for. May I ask what the coaching for ADHD and autism entails?

It's sad to see that you feel you need to keep it quiet for fear of what your colleagues might think. I completely understand it though. It's really surprising that another team wouldn't even talk about adjustments despite them being in the same organisation.

ChrisR777

I asked and they said no. It was a very short conversation!

Rachel_Scope

Oh wow @ChrisR777! What happened after that? Did you stay?

ChrisR777

As a bus driver working shifts, there wasn't really much that could be done. I spent the last couple of months on a small, country route, one usually reserved for the older drivers, it allowed more time out of the cab, but it caused alot of upset and malicious gossip among 300+ other drivers.

When my licence was revoked, they couldn't get me out the door quick enough. I've never worked since.

Rachel_Scope

I'm sorry this happened @ChrisR777. It's sad that people have to resort to gossiping instead of being understanding.

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1153436#Comment_1153436

Donkey's years ago, no big deal, but i certainly would never have imagined i wouldn't secure another job, not even a checkout or suchlike.

OverlyAnxious

I didn't ask. Just got worse and worse at the job until I physically couldn't get there any more. Even then I made up a lie about it rather than admit it was caused by a medical condition…

I've asked for reasonable adjustments in order to access healthcare and benefits, but always been told no. Also asked for reasonable adjustments when some maintenance had to be done on my property by the management company, and again that was declined. Even using arrogant wording such as 'can't be done how they want'. It was nothing to do with what I 'want'! But they got paid lots of money and moved onto the next job within days, while I ended up with permanently worse physical health and further reduction in abilities. So why would they have any reason to change? It's not them that has to suffer the consequences of their actions.

66Mustang

@OverlyAnxious

I don't get why we do the "not disclosing" thing, and I've done it plenty of times myself

It's like we're ashamed of disclosing a situation that isn't our fault, so we invent something fictional that (if true) would be our fault … i.e. using an excuse that sounds worse, and makes other people think worse of us, than reality!

Of course I'm looking at it logically – and at the time we aren't thinking rationally – but it goes to show how silly we can be in hindsight

I wonder if it's related to the desire for autonomy, mixed with some denial: perhaps we'd prefer to tell people we're responsible for our situation because we want that to be true, as if it was we could change it

Rachel_Scope

Did you feel there was no point in asking for adjustments at work @OverlyAnxious?

I'm really shocked to see that you were denied adjustments for accessing healthcare and benefits. Do you mind me asking what you requested?

The management company sound awful. I'm so sorry that it affected your health. I think there needs to be a bit more understanding and kindness in these situations. I'm sure there were some things they could have done for you.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1153520#Comment_1153520

Good question. Thinking about it now, I wouldn't have had the confidence to ask back then. But I also couldn't access healthcare when I was at work, so didn't have any proof to back up anything I said anyway. Plus I did feel embarrassed or ashamed about it I suppose, as well as being scared of consequences or confrontation. I also quickly realised that 3 of my colleagues had mental health conditions, and I didn't want the boss to think I was just copying them!

I've asked for all sorts of adjustments to access benefits and healthcare over the years. Also asked the local disability advice centre for reasonable adjustments, which they declined as well!

Back in 2019 I asked a dentist if I could wait outside rather than sitting in the waiting room. Was told no, it was not possible, I'd have to be in the waiting room. A few months later, covid happened, and it became mandatory for everyone to wait outside! Too late for me by then unfortunately. I tried another one, claiming to be specifically for disabled patients, and they cancelled my appointment because I was 5 minutes late, then said I'd have to stay there for the whole hour if I did another appointment, so I never booked another one.

I asked for some dietary advice through my GP after having to cut out a lot of foods and losing a lot of weight, specifically stating that I couldn't get to the surgery for an in person visit and asking for written advice. They sent me a hospital appointment!!

A few years before that one, I sent a different GP a written letter, with 4 problems on it, and asking to be booked a double appointment and I would try to get there in person. When I got there, they ignored everything I'd written, only one appointment booked, and said I could only discuss one problem at a time, regardless of the fact it was extremely rare for me to physically attend the surgery. At the end of it he gave me a prescription which I didn't take much notice of as I was in survival mode. When I took it to the pharmacy, I found out it was something I could have picked up off of any supermarket shelf! Absolutely bizarre waste of everyone's time, and didn't solve any of the 4 problems.

Another GP wouldn't sign off ESA forms unless I physically met him face to face at the surgery. Despite my conditions preventing me from getting to the surgery. That one went on for so long that eventually ESA forced me through another WCA!

I got repeatedly discharged from MH services over the years because I often couldn't get to the centre on time (IBS, not laziness) and I couldn't use telephones either.

I wrote to PIP asking to start a new PIP claim without having to phone. That was ignored and I did eventually try to phone several months later. Told them I couldn't manage a face to face assessment…so they booked me one anyway! And I made myself so ill trying to get there, and was then told the assessor hadn't arrived, and I could phone for another appointment… I can't use phones! Ended up having to go back later the same day for a cancelled appointment, but unfortunately that put so much strain on my digestive system, it's never been the same since. (I also scored 0 points across that assessment!)

And most recently I was told migrating to UC would be easy because it's all online…except it isn't! I had a hell of a job trying to get my ID verified now that I can't travel, use phones or even cope with a home visit. Every adjustment I asked for was declined for one reason or another. Eventually they allowed a relative to take my ID in, but that was also declined the first time they went.

As for the property management, I really don't know what to say about them. I even wrote down the things that I needed as clearly as possible so they couldn't make my situation worse. And every single maintenance visit went wrong. They changed the work/parts/companies at the last minute regularly. I've now been left with a property that is less accessible, less comfortable and with less storage space. And my health and abilities are now measurably worse because of those events. (It went on for about 4 months in the end!)

I know I'm in a fairly unique situation, but I do wonder how other people seem to get reasonable adjustments accepted while mine are always refused.

Rachel_Scope

It’s so sad to see that you felt embarrassed about it @OverlyAnxious and were worried about consequences. Do you mind me asking how long ago this was?

The GP stating that you can only discuss one problem at a time sounds incredibly frustrating. Especially because they prescribed you an over-the-counter medicine. You did the right thing in asking for a double appointment so I’m not sure why they didn’t book that for you. You would think that GPs would be the best at being accommodating but it appears not sadly.

I’ve also experienced the same thing with MH services. I was unable to attend in person and zoom wasn’t a thing back then so they just discharged me. I would have been happy to do it over the phone but it wasn’t an option.

Well done for getting to the face-to-face PIP appointment. I can’t believe the assessor didn’t turn up. It’s good that you got an appointment later that day.

I’m so sorry that your home is now less accessible. Did you make a complaint?

I feel that a lot of people have the same experience as you and their needs aren’t accommodated. It might be the case that ‘easier’ adjustments are agreed but more complicated ones that would maybe require something out of the norm, may be refused. It shouldn’t be that way and hopefully things will continue to improve.

saradotusername

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1153540#Comment_1153540

@OverlyAnxious I really, really empathise. It probably doesn't help, but you're not alone in not being able to get adjustments. I've had issues with GPs (won't offer remote calls for simple issues, won't activate their automatic doors) and other services for disabled people refusing to make adjustments, including the DWP. It's mind boggling! And property management companies are terrible, I've had a LOT of issues with them, especially over the last year where they weren't enforcing parking restrictions (only blue badge holders can use our building parking), so disabled residents weren't able to access the parking because it was being used by everyone and anyone. And no one cares. Literally, they do not care and there is no one to hold them to account.

It's so depressing and feels so defeating so I'm really sorry you've had this experience. You're not alone - not that it makes it any better.

saradotusername

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1153412#Comment_1153412

To be honest the coaching hasn't done much for my autism, but it's been so helpful for my ADHD in teaching me some different strategies to manage the elements I find difficult with work, like planning, time blindness, breaking down tasks, interacting with people. I was very lucky to get some through access to work but I fear those days are now over with cuts happening left, right and centre…

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1153563#Comment_1153563

It was about 15 years ago when I was at work. I spent a few years out of work after that, doing odd jobs locally for cash in hand, as I couldn't face the benefits system. Around 10 years ago I did get to a couple of job interviews, one of which set up by a mate, and I definitely mentioned anxiety at one of them. While the interviewer wasn't rude or anything, they did clearly state that some aspects of the job might not be suitable for an anxiety sufferer. I never heard anything back after that. I don't think I'd have mentioned bowel issues at either of the interviews though, as I would still have been embarrassed about that.

I had to make three complaints about the work done as they caused multiple water leaks which would have damaged the property further if not rectified quickly. But I didn't make an 'overall' complaint because one company manages the majority of rentals in my area. I don't want to rock the boat as I need to move to a more suitable property, and there's a very high chance the next property would also be managed by them.

Anhedonia2

I've never asked for any for the interview process but when I was offered an interview for my new job they sent me an email asking if there were any adjustments I needed which I thought was nice. I wouldn't have a clue where to start though and would worry it would put them off interviewing me before I even had a chance. First impressions are important.

The only formal adjustment I've had has been over working hours and breaks. I wouldn't even know what else to ask for really. I didn't realise how much could be adjusted!