Disability: So I go to University - but what about getting a job

Here is a fact:
The spending power of people with disabilities in the UK is £80 billion a year. People with disabilities have rights, spending power and a voice. Employers may not discriminate against a person because of their disability as they must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate for the employee. Employers are able to apply for funding from the government to assist them in making changes to facilitate disabled workers in the form of the grant called ''Access to work''.

Statistically, people with disabilities are only marginally less likely to secure employment than the non-disabled. The Employers Forum on Disability guarantees an interview to any graduate who fulfils the job description. There are work experience schemes run by companies to actively support students with disabilities – some are deliberately seeking to broaden their workforce profile to reflect the make-up of the community to which it serves or sells. This is for several reasons: corporate responsibility, the law, the ‘disability dollar.’

What can I do to make the most of my time at university?
Like any student, the more effort you put in, the more you will get out! Building up work experience, work shadowing, voluntary or paid work and mentoring will boost your employability and give you many skills to draw upon for interviews and application forms. Tune in to all the resources, specialised support teams and careers based activities that will be available through central university services. Look for job-shops and union volunteering organisations. Have the confidence and courage to get organised and networked in the university.

Who is there to help me?
As well as Disability Support teams you need to meet the Careers and Employment Teams. They are dedicated to supporting you as an individual through guidance and a host of activities, workshops and links with employers. They are networked with wider agencies beyond the university to support you finding work. Advice about what how and when to disclose your disability can be discussed in confidence so you make the most of your application opportunities.

What websites and publications can I look at to know more about this?
Well here are some good basics! Don’t forget to look at the university websites too.

www.skill.org.uk
Skill: National Bureau for Students With Disabilities. Skill is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/customers/helpfordisabledpeople/index.html
As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and employers, Jobcentre Plus pays a grant, through AtW, towards any extra employment costs that result from a person’s disability

www.employers-forum.co.uk/www/index.htm
Funded and managed by over 400 members, we make it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers.

www.opportunities.org.uk
Our VISION is: "to achieve a society where the full potential of people with disabilities is recognised in every workplace"

Publications to read
‘GET 2006: Guide for Students with Disabilities’
Published by Hobsons
There are loads of articles and job contacts in here.

‘The Arberry Profile: Career Opportunites for Disabled Graduates’
Published by Arberry Pink
Good articles about employers, issues and opportunities.