Right to Work - Evidence
Stats in the area
- Just more than half of the respondents currently have or in the past have had a paid job.
- More than 70% of respondents think that an employer has or might have rejected their job application on grounds of disability.
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70% of respondents agree that the job application process puts disabled people at a disadvantage.
Personal Evidence
Catherine Alexander, Wirral
I don't see why I should hide my disability, it is part of who I am, and if my qualifications/achievements do not shine past it, then I don't think I would want to work for them. Also as my disability is very visible, I would be upfront in disclosing it in order to ensure that access arrangements are made for my interview, as well as making sure not to surprise the interviewer when I arrive in my powerchair!
Jessica Berry from Macclesfield
I think employers need to understand that disabled people can be as good an employee as an able-bodied person, if not better, provided they are given an equal opportunity. Government should ensure that employers talk to potential disabled employees about any access/equipment they may need at the application/interview stage of employment, whilst being fully informed about the access to work funding available. Employers should be required to state on their application forms any information relevant to potential disabled employees, including accessibility to the interview building, so that potential employees wouldn't need to worry about disclosing their disability at the application stage with the fear of not being able to access an interview location.
