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Why working when you're disabled is even harder than you think

Photo credit: Sigrid Gombert / Getty
Photo credit: Sigrid Gombert / Getty

From NetDoctor

Looking for a job in the first place can be a daunting task for someone with a disability but sadly discrimination doesn't always stop once they secure employment. From underestimating someone's ability, to leaving disabled people out of decisions and conversations that concern them, companies and bosses can make a big difference to how smoothly things go.

These are some of the things I've experienced in the working world:

Finding a job is tough

It is often very difficult to find and secure a job when you have a physical disability. The vast majority of retail jobs require someone able to do heavy lifting and/or spend large amounts of time on their feet. Online applications may reject you at the first stage if you are not capable of this. This means that the first obstacle is often even finding a position that could accommodate your needs. Disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed as able-bodied people.

Commuting costs

This becomes exponentially more difficult when you consider the challenge that travelling to work often is - especially on public transport. Hordes of people commute daily into London from all over the south of the UK, but typically for people with disabilities, a long journey leaves little energy left for work itself. This results in smaller range of areas it is possible to work in and decreases the likelihood of being able to find potentially suitable positions.

The interview stage

If you do get to the interview stage, you may find - as I did in February 2017 - that information given in your application may not have been passed along. I arrived at an interview where I was told I had to go up a flight of stairs to attend, which I was not capable of doing.

After much arguing, a senior member of staff arrived and told me to just go home because if the stairs were a problem for me then I was in no way capable of doing the job. It's clear that the interview was arranged with no thought to the fact that a disabled person may apply or obtain an interview - managers and recruitment staff need to be more aware of and open to the fact that disabled people are in the labour market.

Photo credit: Chad Springer / Getty
Photo credit: Chad Springer / Getty

Workplace adjustments

According to the Equality Act of 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled people and enable them to work. But as disability encompasses a huge span of different difficulties, it isn't always easy to define what reasonable adjustments mean.

But there are certain organisation and charities on hand to help.

For instance, James Taylor, head of Policy and Public Affairs at UK disability charity Scope, says:

"It's crucial managers are open to exploring what adjustments to working practices, or support may be needed. They need to be proactive in seeking out specialist advice on how best to support disabled members of their team."

From personal experience, adjustments to the workplace often have to be chased and it can be a challenge to have them upheld by all of your colleagues.

Invisible disabilities

This becomes more difficult when the disability in question is less visible, such as a joint- or fatigue-related condition.

If you are capable of limited, unsustained physical activity it can be easy for those around you to expect you at your most capable at all times. Many conditions fluctuate and bad days can be very different to good ones, requiring more support. Managers and employers need to be more aware of the realities of having a chronic condition.

The anxiety of asking for help

It can be difficult to ask for help if you're struggling at work, as by doing so you have to admit you're not feeling capable of what you are responsible for. This can lead to worries about losing your job and some may find it necessary to "overdo it" in order to stay employed. This can lead to conditions worsening, even to the point of becoming incapable of working at all.

But don't give up

Scope is adamant there need to be big changes in both government regulations and the way managers approach hiring disabled people to enable them to access the same level of fulfilment from work as able-bodied people.

From a personal standpoint, my advice is not to give up – the fight can be hard and tiring but as a disabled person you deserve to be able to thrive at work just like anyone else.

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