How can we make the application process for jobs more accessible?

WestHam06

Hi all, 
          Hope everyone is well. I wondered if I please may take this opportunity to ask for people's thoughts and ideas, though only if you feel you would like too. I have been asked by an Early Career's Specialist to share my thoughts on how employers can make the application process more accessible for students and graduates with disabilities and wondered if anyone here on the community would like to share any of their own thoughts on this. The hope is to support employers to implement ways of making the process more accessible to people with a range of disabilities. Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated but please there is no pressure at all. Thank you

Tori_Scope

It sounds like interesting research @WestHam06, so thanks for sharing! 

Do you know how our members' responses would be reported? Would they be anonymous? 

I've moved your post into the Events, Research, and Opportunities category to be on the safe side  

Ross_Alumni

Hi @WestHam06, sounds interesting.

I think it's important to have a wide range of ways in which people can apply for the job, in case people have different needs that necessitate an altered approach to filling out an application. 

Then when it comes to an interview I think more employers need to actively ask candidates if they require any adjustments to make the interview itself more accessible, whether that be the location or content of the interview. 

WestHam06

Hi @woodbine, 
                         Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, it's really interesting to get different perspectives on these things, with many able to use their experience, both positive and negative, to highlight why these perspectives could work. Thank you. 

WestHam06

Hi @Tori_Scope,
                            Thank you for moving my post to the most appropriate category, much appreciated. It's more of a general discussion rather than a specific way of reporting and I certainly wouldn't share any names. I think the thought process behind the specialist was to ask someone who has first hand experience of the application process with a disability. I just felt it was an opportunity to learn from my friends here on the community, their experiences or thoughts on it. Great questions to ask, hopefully I have answered them but please do let me know if not or if there are any other questions I can answer. Thank you.  

WestHam06

Hi @Ross_Scope, 
                              Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, it is always interesting gaining the perspective of people from different backgrounds and experiences. I agree with what you say about making the initial application process more accessible, it was a suggestion I made straight away, I particularly think more consideration should be given to those with visual and hearing disabilities, though as I don't have experience of this personally, it is just something I have considered. I also agree with the thought that more employers should ask if a candidate at interview needs reasonable adjustments, I put forward the suggestion that it should be a generic question asked to every candidate and then it is up to each individual whether they answer 'Yes' or 'No' depending on their needs. I know, under the Equality Act, employers most likely should be doing this but imagine some do and some don't. I also thought of those living with hidden disabilities and what employers could do to support their needs. I hope this makes sense, many thanks.  

Ross_Alumni

It completely makes sense @WestHam06. In my experience, some employers do ask about reasonable adjustments, but the majority don't. As you say, it should be a standard question asked to every candidates.

WestHam06

Hi @Ross_Scope, 
                             I have already suggested that it should be a standard question but, if you are happy for me too, will pass on that there is much agreement on this. I think it would be interesting to find out how many employers actually do ask if candidates need reasonable adjustment, I may well ask the specialist I am in contact with. I don't understand why it would be so difficult to ask such a simple question? Thank you. 

[Deleted User]

Don't do what I've been doing for years and routinely declare your disability as soon as you apply for a job, in my experience they'll bin your application instantly and you won't even be considered. 

Ross_Alumni

That's true in some cases yes @MrAllen1976, however there are many employers out there who do give equal opportunity. 

I think in some cases, it's not so much that they're against hiring disabled people, it's that they have no idea how to support them and don't know how to learn about the subject.

Of course @WestHam06, pass it on.

WestHam06

Thank you so much @Ross_Scope, I really appreciate everyone's support with this. I will keep you up to date with things Personally, I declare that I have a disability and I also have it stated on my CV. I think there is part of me, and I know that I feel this following an experience I had, that thinks if an employer is unwilling to see pass my disability before even meeting me, then would I really want to work for them anyway. There are employers out there who genuinely are committed to equal opportunities and I also agree with @Ross_Scope, I think there are many who don't know how to support disabled people and are uncertain of where to go to learn more about the subject. We have come a long way but there is still a long way to go. Thank you.  

WestHam06

Hi all, 
         I just wanted to pass on the thanks of the Early Careers Specialists who I have been on contact with. They wanted to thank you for all of your ideas and for allowing me to start a discussion around this. Thank you. 

WestHam06

Hi @Ross_Scope, 
                               Hope you are well. Thank you so much for your thoughts and ideas with regards to this topic, much appreciated. I asked the Early Career's Specialist what they thoughts were as to whether they thought employers asked about reasonable adjustments as a standard question to all candidates  and they said they believed this wasn't a question that has been commonly asked but that there does appear to be more of a willingness to do so and to find the best way of doing so. I really hope that things continue to move in a positive direction, as we know many people with disabilities have so much to offer. Thank you. 

Ross_Alumni

Thanks for the update @WestHam06 and providing feedback on your conversations, hopefully your marvellous work can drive positive change As always, it's my pleasure to take part.