Careers and work for disabled people

Contents

Careers advice

Further and higher education careers services

Graduates

Your rights: The Equality Act

Finding disability-friendly employers

Disability Confident

Business Disability Forum

Culture of an organisation

Looking for job vacancies

Applications and interviews

Applications

Interviews

Access to Work

Telling people about your impairment

Recruitment agencies

Employment Programmes

Intensive Personalised Employment Support

The Work and Health Programme

Apprenticeships

Alternative ways of working

Self-employment

New Enterprise Allowance

Association of Disabled Professionals

Prince’s Trust

Disability organisations that help jobseekers

Disability Rights UK publications and helpline

Other useful contacts

 

Careers advice

If you’re in any doubt about the sort of work you’re looking for or need more information about the routes into certain careers, you should speak to a careers adviser.

Never assume disabled people can’t enter a particular career. Nursing, teaching, sport, business, law, media, IT, veterinary science – you name it – there are disabled people working in every imaginable field.

Many successful people have, at some stage, been told their career ideas were unsuitable. It’s important to persevere, take advantage of any available support and try to get the skills and knowledge you need for whatever job appeals to you.

The Equality Act 2010 means that employers have to remove barriers in the workplace for disabled people and financial support is available to help them do this. Always start exploring your options based on what you want to do. Then you can think about any advice and support you might need.

Wherever you live you should be able to access careers guidance as an adult. For contact details of the various services across the UK see section 10 Other useful contacts.

In England, schools must make sure all Year 7 to Year 13 pupils receive independent careers guidance. This should include information about all the opportunities available - at college, university, apprenticeships and jobs with training. 

Schools must give you an outside perspective, for example through providing an external careers adviser, organising college and employer visits or using websites and helplines. Colleges can also provide careers advice and guidance.

Under the Children and Families Act in England, local authorities should support all young people with special educational needs (SEN) or a disability to prepare for adulthood. Discussions should focus on what you want to achieve and the best way to support you.

For young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans, local authorities must ensure that the review at Year 9 and every review afterwards, includes a discussion about your future. This should cover your education and employment plans, housing needs, social and health care.

Each local authority must also produce a Local Offer. This is a document showing all the local services available to children and young people with SEN or a disability. 

The National Careers Service provides careers advice through text, webchat, email and a telephone helpline to everyone aged 13 and over. If you’re aged 19 or over (or 18 and receiving an out-of-work benefit) you can also get face-to-face advice. The website includes a section for young people with advice on going to college or university or alternatives such as apprenticeships and traineeships.

Careers advice is also available from Skills Development Scotland (My World of Work) and Careers Wales.

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Further and higher education careers services

If you’re in further or higher education, your college or university should have careers advisers. They should be able to help you decide what to do when you finish college.

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Graduates

Despite progress in society, disabled people are underrepresented in the workplace. However, research from Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) shows you'll have better job prospects if you continue with your education. The study found that disabled graduates achieve similar levels of success as non-disabled graduates.

A careers adviser can take you through all the options that your degree has opened up and help you decide which direction you want to go. There may be a charge for careers interviews and some London universities also charge for the use of their careers resources.

Prospects has an extensive graduate careers website at www.prospects.ac.uk. They also offer a free email careers advice service for up to five years after graduation.

The University of London Careers Group also has a useful website at www.london.ac.uk/the-careers-group  

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Your rights: The Equality Act

When looking for work as a disabled person, it’s important to be aware of your legal rights. The Equality Act 2010 builds on the previous Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against disabled people in two ways. Firstly, employers must not discriminate against disabled people. Employers are also required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to prevent disabled people being placed at a disadvantage. For more information on the Act see our guidance understanding the equality act: information for disabled students.

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Finding disability-friendly employers

You should find that many of the large employers are aware of their duties under the Act. However, sometimes you may wish to look out for signs that an organisation has a particularly positive approach towards recruiting people with disabilities.

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Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled people. It has replaced the Positive about Disability ‘Two Ticks’ scheme. 

The scheme includes a badge which shows the employer has made certain commitments, for example:

  • making sure their recruitment process is fair
  • supporting any employee who becomes disabled to stay in work
  • offering work experience to disabled people

If a job advert has a ‘disability confident’ symbol, this means the employer guarantees you an interview if you meet the minimum criteria listed in the advert.

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Business Disability Forum

Business Disability Forum is a not-for-profit member organisation which aims to makes it easier and more rewarding to do business with and employ disabled people. The Forum has over 500 members. Companies that are members are likely to have a positive attitude towards employing disabled people. You can contact the BFD to obtain a list of members. For contact details see section 10 Other useful contacts.

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Culture of an organisation

It may be possible to identify what sort of attitude an employer has towards employing disabled people by looking at the general culture of the organisation. You can sometimes find this information from looking at brochures, equal opportunity policies and annual reports.

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Looking for job vacancies

Once you’ve identified the sort of job you’re looking for, there are many sources of information on vacancies. These include internet jobsites, social media, newspaper adverts, contacting employers directly, attending careers fairs and using recruitment agencies. You might be able to get some assistance with this from disability organisations. See section 9 Disability organisations that help jobseekers.

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Applications and interviews

Applications

When requesting further information about a job, it’s worth noting that you can ask for this in an alternative format, such as large print, Braille or electronically. You can also ask to submit your application in an alternative format. Under the Equality Act 2010, providing application materials in an alternative format is likely to be considered a reasonable adjustment that an employer should make. Some organisations can provide advice and assistance with writing CVs and filling in application forms. See section 9 Disability organisations that help jobseekers.

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Interviews

Under the Equality Act 2010 the employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments to the arrangements for interview. If you need any adjustments, it’s best to tell the employer in advance. If you’re unable to attend an interview at a specific time for disability-related reasons, it’s likely under the Act that the employer would have to rearrange.

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Access to Work

It's important to remember that all employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. However, you can help persuade them that costs won't be a problem by telling them about the Access to Work scheme.

Access to Work is a government funded employment support programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain in work.  It can help in a number of ways, for example by paying towards:

  • communication support at interviews
  • special equipment to suit your needs
  • a support worker, such as a reader for somebody with a visual impairment; communicator for a deaf person; or a helper for personal care needs at work
  • additional costs of taxi fares if you can't use public transport
  • disability awareness training for your colleagues 

The scheme pays 100% of the approved costs (subject to the cap):

  • for travel to work, for a support worker or a communicator for support at job interviews
  • if you are unemployed and starting a new job
  • if you have been working for an employer and have been in the job for less than six weeks or
  • if you are self-employed or setting up your own business through the New Enterprise Allowance

If you have been in your job for six weeks or more when you first apply for help, Access to Work will pay a proportion of the costs of support. How much your employer will pay depends on the cost of the adaptations and the size of the employer.  

Read our guidance on Access to Work for more information.

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Telling people about your impairment

You don't have to tell an employer about your disability unless you’re asked direct questions about your health on a medical questionnaire. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers cannot ask candidates questions about their health that are unrelated to the job role.

Being open about your impairment is a personal decision and people often worry about discrimination, prejudice or lack of confidentiality. The main benefit of telling an employer is that it gives you more protection under the Equality Act if you have a dispute at work. If an employer can show they didn't know you were disabled, you might have less of a case for discrimination. Other advantages could include:

  • Some employers are keen to employ disabled people
  • It could provide an opportunity to talk about yourself positively
  • Adjustments can be put in place earlier
  • You might build a better working relationship
  • You can explain aspects of your CV that might otherwise count against you, such as gaps in your education or work history

Information about your impairment is protected by the Equality Act 2010 and the Data Protection Act 2018. This is the law to do with keeping personal information private and confidential. It means that information about you cannot be passed on to other people without your permission.

For more information on telling people about your impairment see our resource Telling people you’re disabled.

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Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies can be a good way to get a job. They are paid by employers to find suitable people for vacancies, so they have an interest in getting you into appropriate work. They also have access to some vacancies that are not advertised and are free for jobseekers.

For temp positions, the agency is usually the official employer. They make an agreement to supply you as a worker to somebody else but are directly responsible for paying you. The host company, where you actually do your work, is called a ‘principal’. Under the Equality Act, both the agency and the principal have duties not to discriminate against you and they have to make reasonable adjustments to overcome any employment arrangements or physical features of the workplace that put you at a substantial disadvantage.

When deciding whether an adjustment is reasonable, employment agencies and principals will take into account how long you will be working.

Permanent agencies usually work by receiving a fee from an employer for introducing you to them or for recruiting you. Your employer is covered by the Equality Act in the usual way.

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Employment Programmes

The Government funds welfare to work programmes to support people back into work.

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Intensive Personalised Employment Support

Intensive Personalised Employment Support is a voluntary scheme which provides a personalised package of employment support for people with disabilities or health condition who are unlikely to move into work within the next year and need additional support. A dedicated support worker will work with you to overcome barriers that may be stopping you from entering work. You can receive support for up to 21 months, including 6 months of in-work support if you get a job.

The support includes:

  • Identifying skills, abilities and the work you’re able to do 
  • Jobs searching, interview and CVs
  • Access to volunteering, job taster sessions, work trials, local services and employers
  • Help to find training that will help you find work

For more information on the support available visit www.gov.uk/intensive-personalised-employment-support.

The Work Coach at your local Jobcentre Plus can tell you more on the scheme.

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The Work and Health Programme

The Work and Health Programme is intended to help disabled people, as well as the long term unemployed to enter and stay in work.  It is available on a voluntary basis to those with health conditions and disabilities, and to various groups of vulnerable people. The Programme is also compulsory for those who have been out of work and claiming unemployment benefits for 24 months. For more information on the support available on the Programme visit: www.gov.uk/work-health-programme.

The Work Coach at your local Jobcentre Plus can tell you if you’re eligible.

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Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn on the job while studying for a qualification. Apprentices do real jobs in a real workplace and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Apprentices who are under the age of 19 or are in their first year of an apprenticeship are entitled to a minimum wage of £5.28 per hour. After the first year those aged 18 to 20 earn £7.49 per hour and those aged 21 to 22 earn £10.18. These are the minimum wages and most apprentices earn more. These rates are from April 2023 to March 2024. The Apprenticeship Pay Survey 2018 findings showed the average pay rate at Level 2 and Level 3 was £7.10 and the average for Level 4 and 5 higher apprentices was £10.94.

Whether you want to work on a farm, as a travel agent, a painter and decorator or as a trainee accountant there are opportunities out there. Whatever you decide to do, your college or employer should give you the help and support you need. There are lots of different apprenticeships in:

  • Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
  • Arts, Media and Publishing
  • Business, Administration and Law  
  • Construction, Planning and the Built Environment   
  • Education and Training
  • Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
  • Health, Public Services and Care
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Leisure, Travel and Tourism
  • Retail and Commercial Enterprise
  • Science and Mathematics

There are various levels of apprenticeships. You can either start from the beginning and work your way up or start on the level that best suits the qualifications you already have.

The Apprenticeships website has lots of examples of different types of apprenticeships and videos of different apprentice experiences. Visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk  

For more information on apprenticeships see the Disability Rights UK Into Apprenticeships guide. It deals with common questions such as how to find an apprenticeship, whether the training will be accessible and what support is available in the workplace.

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Alternative ways of working

These days many people choose to do work which does not follow the traditional 9am to 5pm pattern. Some people need to work flexibly because of caring responsibilities or other personal commitments. People with certain kinds of impairments can also benefit from more flexible work patterns. It’s possible to find work on a part-time or job share basis, and a number of organisations now offer a flexi-time system, giving you more control over your working hours.

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Self-employment

There may be a number of reasons for choosing to become self-employed. You may have an idea for your own business, you may want to work in an environment which you can adjust to suit your needs or self-employment may be the best way of arranging a job around your skills. Setting up your own business can seem daunting and it is hard work but it can also be very rewarding and there are organisations that can offer help, guidance and financial support in the form of grants or loans.

Speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach. They can help you decide whether self-employment is a viable option and help you find sources of funding and support.

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New Enterprise Allowance

The New Enterprise Allowance is a scheme that helps unemployed people start a business through access to business mentoring and a financial package. This includes a weekly allowance payable over 26 weeks’ worth up to £1,274, allowing you to establish your business and cash flow. You can also apply for a loan of up to £25,000 to help with start-up costs.

You might be eligible for the Allowance if you’re over 18 and if you (or your partner) get Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Income Support as a lone parent.  

To receive this support, you will need to contact your Jobcentre Plus work coach who will refer you to an organisation for an initial assessment of the business proposal. If accepted, the organisation will provide a business mentor who will work with you to put together a business plan. If your business plan is approved and you start working for 16 hours or more per week you will be able to claim the allowance.

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Association of Disabled Professionals

The Association of Disabled Professionals runs a website at www.adp.org.uk. It aims to provide networking opportunities and share good practice for self-employed disabled people and those setting up their own businesses.

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Prince’s Trust

If you’re aged between 18-30 with a viable idea for your own business, then you may be able to get the following help from the Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise Programme.

  • Business skills training
  • Business planning support
  • Start-up loan funding
  • Ongoing support from a volunteer business mentor
  • Access to specialist support, including a free legal helpline
  • And, if you start a business, access to a wide range of free and discounted products and services.

Further information is available from www.princes-trust.org.uk. Alternatively, call freephone 0800 842 842.

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Disability organisations that help jobseekers

There are many organisations that help disabled jobseekers. Some can help people with any kind of impairment and others will help people with specific impairments. This is just a selection, but it is worth asking other disability organisations about any schemes they offer for jobseekers.

RNID
Brightfield Business Hub, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6XU

Tel: 0808 808 0123 Textphone: 0808 808 9000
SMS: 07360 268 988
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk

Campaigns and lobbies to raise awareness of hearing loss and tinnitus and provides support services for deaf and hard of hearing people. 

Disability Action (Northern Ireland)
Head Office, Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast BT3 9ED

Tel: 028 9029 7880
Email: hq@disabilityaction.org
Website: www.disabilityaction.org

Disability Action's Employment and Training Service offers information and support for people with disabilities, to help them find and stay in work or vocational training. They also provide disability and diversity awareness training to employers, organisations, businesses and other interested agencies.

Leonard Cheshire
Regus, The News Building, 3rd Floor, 3 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG

Tel: 020 3242 0200
Email: info@leonardcheshire.org
Website: www.leonardcheshire.org    

Range of services to help disabled people into work and business including skills training in computers, accessible media and supporting disabled to run their own businesses.

Papworth Employment Programmes
1 Saxongate, Bradbury Place, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 3RR

Tel: 01480 357200
Email: info@papworthtrust.org.uk
Website: www.papworthtrust.org.uk/work

Various programmes supporting disabled people who are long-term unemployed, as well as those who have acquired a disability as a result of a workplace injury, serious illness or a road traffic accident. Workplace evaluation, job searching, job analysis and matching and access to Jobcentre Plus programmes where relevant. Papworth delivers most of its services in the East of England; Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk.

National Autistic Society
393 City Road, London EC1V 1NG

Tel: 020 7704 7450
Email:
 nas@nas.org.uk
Website: www.autism.org.uk

Information, advice and support to people with autism and Asperger syndrome and their families.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE

Helpline: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/equality-and-employment

The RNIB provides information and advice to blind and partially sighted jobseekers. The employment service can provide specialist support and advice to help you find work or stay in your job.

Scope
Here East Press Centre, 14 East Bay Lane, London, E15 2GW

Tel: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Web: www.scope.org.uk/employment-services

Scope's employment services support disabled people in gaining employment through different programmes. Scope also provides independent careers advice for young disabled people aged between 15 and 25.

Shaw Trust
Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury, B69 2DG

Email: Complete the online form 
Web: www.shaw-trust.org.uk

Provides training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, health or other social circumstances. Many of their services are tailored to the requirements of people who have experienced a mental health condition or who have a learning disability.

Trailblazers
2nd Floor, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ

Website: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

National network of young disabled people which campaigns for access to education and employment.

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Disability Rights UK publications and helpline

Disability Rights UK Student Helpline

For further information on the above and the support that is available for disabled students, please contact the Disabled Students Helpline:

Tel: 0330 995 0414

Tues & Thurs 11.00am-1.00pm

Email: students@disabilityrightsuk.org

The helpline provides free information and advice to disabled students in England, their parents, carers and key advisers about opportunities in post-16 education and training. This includes further and higher education and apprenticeships. We also provide general information on the Equality Act as it applies to education.

We produce a range of factsheets covering these subjects and frequently asked questions which you can access through our website at disabilityrightsuk.org. All our factsheets are free to download.

Into Apprenticeships

Our Into Apprenticeships guide deals with common questions such as how to find an apprenticeship, whether the training will be accessible and what support is available in the workplace. There are several inspiring stories written by disabled apprentices about their own experiences and the challenges they have faced. The guide also contains a useful resources section listing further websites, publications and organisations which can help.

Download Into Apprenticeships.

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Other useful contacts

Disability Wales / Anabledd Cymru
Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

Tel: 029 2088 7325
Email: info@disabilitywales.org
Website: www.disabilitywales.org

Provides a range of services to disabled people living in Wales.

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com

The EHRC website has lots of information and guidance on equality issues and disabled people’s rights in employment

Business Disability Forum
Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, London, SE1 2NY

Tel: 020 7403 3020
Email: enquiries@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk
Website: http://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

For information about Business Disability Forum see section 3 Finding disability-friendly employers.

Careers with Disabilities
Website: www.careerswithdisabilities.com

UK disability-friendly jobs board and accessible careers resource.

icould
Website: www.icould.com

The icould video library is a collection of films featuring young people sharing their career stories. It showcases the huge range of creative possibilities at work.

Guardian Jobs
Website: http://jobs.guardian.co.uk

Job advertisements and other resources for job seekers.

Jobcentre Plus
For details of your local Jobcentre Plus office you can look in your local phonebook.

Prince’s Trust
The Prince's Trust South London Centre, 8 Park Glade Path, London SE1 8EG

Tel: 0800 842 842 
Email: Complete online form 
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk 

Prospects
Website: www.prospects.ac.uk

Comprehensive guide to graduate jobs, careers and post graduate study. Contains a database of employers, job vacancies and useful information about a variety of careers.

Loud Minority
The Loud Minority website www.loudminority.co.uk has lots of video case studies of disabled people in employment, including three videos of disabled teachers from the Skill Into Teaching project.

National Careers Service
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Careers Service Northern Ireland
Telephone: 0300 200 7820
Website: www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers

Careers Wales
Telephone: 0800 028 4844
Website: https://careerswales.gov.wales

Skills Development Scotland
Telephone: 0141 285 6000
Website: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

15 November 2023

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