Getting jobs as a person with a disability

amyhutchinson_12

I am currently trying to find paid work but as i have a visual impairment, this is causing me a lot of worry. Although i do have quite a lot of vision and i have been in paid work before a couple of years ago for two months, i still struggle to read things from far away, find where items go quickly due to font sizing and finding where the items are and can struggle with till work for some time, particularly if the screen is small. Due to these reasons, i have very little belief in myself to do jobs and i am very anxious about applying for jobs, let alone being at a job. Does anyone have any advice? 

cupcake88

Hi there personally I have had bad experience applying for jobs with a mental disability I find that I’m always told no because of it . And it makes you feel disheartened. 

I mean it depends on the work place it’s really pot luck . I have known people who have had supportive work environments. Im currently in the process of taking a previous employer to tribunal for disability discrimination so that does happen but I like to think of there being nice places out there that will make adjustments for you ect . 

cupcake88

My advice to you tho would be to be honest on the application form once you got the job so that if some thing does happen you have proof you told them . 

leeCal

Employers who are members of the two ticks scheme also must give an interview to you if you tell them you have a disability at the application stage. Also simply because they are signed up to the two ticks scheme shows that they are empathetic as far as disabilities are concerned. They should have the two ticks on their logo somewhere or state membership on the application form. Best wishes.

Richard_Scope

Hi @amyhutchinson_12
Good to meet you!
Our Employment Services could help you. Getting and staying in a job can be tricky but not impossible. 

janer1967

Hi and welcome @amyhutchinson_12 I too am sight impaired and can understand the difficulty you have

@leeCal said about the employers with two tick recognition they only have to guarantee an interview if you meet the minimum criteria for the job role eg if it states you must have A level maths and you dont they do not have to interview you.

However they are disability aware and are open to reasonable adjustments in the workplace

Have you contacted your local job centre as they have disability specialist work coaches who may be able to help you find something suitable

laura222

Hi @amyhutchinson_12

Looking for jobs can be such hard work, and convincing yourself that you can do the application, the interview and then the job can be even harder!

My advice would be to know what kind of adjustments you would need to do a job and not be afraid to advocate for yourself. I'm sure that you're just as capable as anyone else if you have the right environment to work in. Given the right support, I'm sure you can find something that you'll flourish in! If you're able to skill-up and learn how to use screen-reading software, for example, that could make you feel more confident.

Good luck!

mancmiss

I graduated in criminology in 2006. As a young graduate I was focused on a job in forensics. I realised that I needed to lower my expectations and start where I was confident. I applied for a job as a SEN teaching assistant. I never imagined myself in that field but I used the connections around me to see what I could do instead of what I couldn’t do. That was 16 years ago and I’m still in the same job. My advice to anyone is to keep showing the doubters that you can do it! Be open to anything!

amyhutchinson_12

cupcake88 said:

Hi there personally I have had bad experience applying for jobs with a mental disability I find that I’m always told no because of it . And it makes you feel disheartened. 

I mean it depends on the work place it’s really pot luck . I have known people who have had supportive work environments. Im currently in the process of taking a previous employer to tribunal for disability discrimination so that does happen but I like to think of there being nice places out there that will make adjustments for you ect . 

It frustrates me that people with mental disabilities are seeming to be turned down more for jobs now. People need to be more accepting and if they just try to understand the person, that is all that is needed. It is a shame that you have had to take your previous employer to tribunal. I did tell my employer when i had my first job about it straight away and she was absolutely fine with it, but unfortunately i got dropped from the job because a colleague was not understanding that i couldn't find something that we needed for stock, although she knew about it. I kept avoiding work because of her and because i kept avoiding work and not going in, i got dropped. 

leeCal said:

Employers who are members of the two ticks scheme also must give an interview to you if you tell them you have a disability at the application stage. Also simply because they are signed up to the two ticks scheme shows that they are empathetic as far as disabilities are concerned. They should have the two ticks on their logo somewhere or state membership on the application form. Best wishes.

I did not know about this. I will look into this, thank you for mentioning it! Richard_Scope said:

Hi @amyhutchinson_12
Good to meet you!
Our Employment Services could help you. Getting and staying in a job can be tricky but not impossible. 

I am currently working with someone from the charity Workability to help find work, but if nothing comes out of that, i will look into your services. Thank you for mentioning this! laura222 said:

Hi @amyhutchinson_12

Looking for jobs can be such hard work, and convincing yourself that you can do the application, the interview and then the job can be even harder!

My advice would be to know what kind of adjustments you would need to do a job and not be afraid to advocate for yourself. I'm sure that you're just as capable as anyone else if you have the right environment to work in. Given the right support, I'm sure you can find something that you'll flourish in! If you're able to skill-up and learn how to use screen-reading software, for example, that could make you feel more confident.

Good luck!

That might be a good idea about the screen reading software, thank you! Do you mind me asking if you have any experiences on how to get screen reading software as my previous employer didn't have this. 

Thank you for all your comments! I wasn't expecting such a quick response.

cupcake88

Hi yeh it’s really hard for people with physical and mental illnesses . If you do get a job I find they don’t care in regards to the equality act . 

I’m really at a point mentally where I can’t be bothered to take them to a tribunal but I’m going to . Yes they have asked for extra time to respond to my et1 form but they will have to at some point face the distress and hurt they have caused me . And it’s making a stand for what’s right . My advice is always to note it down ok forms so you have proof they knew .

yeh my previous employer didn’t care that I was being mocked that’s some thing else they can explain to the employment judge . 

amyhutchinson_12

@cupcake88 that's so horrible. I hope the tribunal goes well, hopefully they will get some sort of prosecution or warning at least. If you tried to confront them but they still didn't listen and you were being mocked, I think that should be given more than a warning! 

cupcake88

they did more than mock me I did do a thread regarding it . It was really quite horrible what I went threw . And I’m not standing for it . 

amyhutchinson_12

cupcake88 said:

they did more than mock me I did do a thread regarding it . It was really quite horrible what I went threw . And I’m not standing for it . 

you absolutely shouldn't. It is law to not discriminate and it shouldn't be ignored.