Enlightened employers willing to give disabled people a chance seem to be pleased with the results. A survey in Devon showed that 93 per cent of employers who had disabled people in their workforce thought that they performed as well as or better than able-bodied workers; 43 per cent reported that their attitude to work was better and 70 per cent felt that disabled workers' attendance was good. Twenty-six per cent thought it was better.
If you are disabled this should be enough to convince you that there is nothing wrong with disabled workers in general - or you in particular. Since 1995, however, you have also had the law on your side. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 makes it unlawful for employers with twenty or more employees to discriminate against current or prospective employees with disabilities. This law applies to many aspects of employment, including recruitment.
According to the law, an employer cannot justify less favorable treatment of disabled people, if by making a 'reasonable adjustment' to his working arrangements or premises, it would remove the reasons for treatment.
When you are seeking employment, you can strengthen your case by emphasizing all the things which you can do and then simply stating what, if any, special or extra facilities you need. If you have been in touch with a specialist careers adviser or if you are known to a particular Job centre interviewer, it can sometimes help to ask if they would be prepared to act as an intermediary on your behalf. In this way, you can suggest that an employer phones the interviewer if he needs further information about your abilities.
Free material on all the Act's provisions can be obtained from the DDA information line: 0345 622 6333. There is also a text-phone service for people with hearing difficulties: 0345 622 644.
The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) has several factsheets and brochures offering information and advice for disabled people. Publications include:
Working From Home, a guide for disabled people wishing to work at home. Into Work, information and advice on all matters concerned with seeking employment. RADAR can be contacted at: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London EC1V 8AF; 0171-250 3222.
Distance learning
If you find that the training course you want is not available locally, it might be worth considering a distance learning package. The Open University is perhaps the most well-known form of distance learning. It offers a range of courses up to first degree level and beyond to people who study mainly at home. They learn through completing assignments and modules of study based on TV programmes and written material which is posted to them. Many courses have a two-week residential summer school component so that students can meet each other, learn together briefly and reduce the sense of isolation which can result from study at home.
Many distance learning schemes are highly sophisticated and there is an increasing range of supported self-study packages. Some use interactive video and computer programs as teaching methods. Telephone and fax messages enable students to enjoy almost instantaneous dialogue with tutors and these technological advances have eradicated many of the problems of time and distance associated with more traditional correspondence courses.
Distance learning offers you the chance to gain skills and qualifications from home. You can work at your own pace and start a course whenever you want. Some are expensive but if you are confident that you can gain the qualification and that it will help you to get a job, it might be worth taking out a career development loan.
The National Extension College (NEC) is one of the more successful distance learning colleges in the UK. Currently it offers 22 GCSE and 21 A level courses. In addition, it is also possible to study a range of courses in management, accountancy and office skills, counseling and voluntary work, or languages. Through the NEC you can even gain a University of London degree.
Distance learning, however, has its drawbacks. There is no regular class to attend so there may be less pressure to complete assignments by a particular time. Despite the best efforts of many distance learning tutors, it can be difficult to make and maintain relationships with fellow students. Without their support, distance learning can be a lonely road to follow. If you want to succeed you have to be highly motivated with a high level of self-discipline.
Dress
There is an appropriate form of dress for every job and an appropriate form of dress for every job interview but they aren't necessarily the same. In general, you should dress more formally for an interview than for your day-to-day work. Teachers, for example, would normally wear a suit for interview, although many of them wouldn't wear one in the classroom. An office worker would be expected to wear a suit at interview but others types of worker might dress a little less formally. Most employers, however, expect to see male interviewees wearing trousers, jacket, shirt and tie. Jeans and tee shirts are not appropriate. Even if you're looking for a job on a building site, you must show an employer that you have made an effort to dress appropriately. It's a sign of respect for the interviewer, and a signal that you are serious in your wish to get the job. Some employers take the view that scruffy clothes are an indication of the type of work they can expect from the wearer. So, whatever job you go for, it is essential that your clothes are clean and neatly pressed. Women should avoid wearing too much jewelry or make-up.
Whenever possible, try to wear 'day time' clothes without strong patterns. High fashion styles of dress can be difficult to wear and they can distract an interviewer. Your shoes should be comfortable and well polished.
An interviewee for a technician's post recently wore socks with 'happy birthday' printed on them. A quick check of his application form indicated that he had celebrated his birthday three days ago. He didn't get the job!
Further information
The Image Factor: A Guide to Effective Self-Presentation for Career Enhancement (second edition), Eleri Sampson (Kogan Page, 1996)
