In partnership with MyPlus Students’ Club
MyPlus Students’ Club helps students and graduates with disabilities achieve their career potential.
We’re excited to have partnered with MyPlus Students’ Club to share expert advice with Bright Network members.
In this article, we’ll explore which conditions are considered disabilities to help you be open about your disability on job applications and access the adjustments and support you need to thrive.
When applying for jobs, you might come across the question: “Do you have a disability?” or perhaps “Do you consider yourself to have a disability?”
It can be challenging to know how to answer this one. You may find yourself worrying that others may view being disabled as a limitation. Also, you might not know if you’re considered disabled or not, as the term is very broad.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Conditions covered by the term ‘disability’
- Why employers ask if you’re disabled
- The evidence you need
- Discussing a disability that varies over time
- How to approach those who don’t recognise some conditions as disabilities
- How information about your disability is used
- Support you can access during the recruitment process
What conditions are covered by the term ‘disability’?
Disability and long-term health conditions cover a broad spectrum of conditions, including but not limited to:
- Visual and hearing impairments
- Mobility impairments
- Autism
- ADHD
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Mental health conditions
- Speech impairments
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
This list is by no means exhaustive. The best way to determine if you're disabled is to refer to the 2010 Equality Act, which says someone is disabled if:
- They have a ‘physical or mental impairment’
- The impairment ‘has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’
That means that many other long-term or chronic health conditions also count as disabilities, given they have a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities such as work.
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Why is an employer asking me if I’m disabled?
You might be wondering why an employer is asking you if you’re disabled. There are several reasons why an employer will do this. Most importantly, they want to understand what support you require to demonstrate your true potential.
More generally, they’ll ask this question because it helps them monitor the effectiveness of their Equal Opportunities policies to make sure they’re creating an inclusive work environment.
Being open with the employer allows you to request the support you need and have positive discussions with them about your disability.
What evidence of my disability do I need?
Different employers may ask for different forms of evidence, so it’s best to ask what evidence they’ll accept. They probably won’t ask for medical records because they aren’t medical experts, and won't be able to properly interpret the information inside.
How do I discuss a disability that varies over time?
Some disabilities vary day-to-day. For example, some days, you may be able to walk unaided and other days you need to use a wheelchair. Similarly, you may have flare-ups, where your condition's symptoms temporarily worsen.
It’s important to communicate your needs to your employer by explaining to them that your condition varies daily.
Our advice is to ask for all the support you’d need as if you were having a ‘bad’ day, as it’s easier to tell them you don’t need something than request adjustments at short notice.
Some employers don’t recognise some conditions as disabilities. How do I approach this?
We understand how invalidating it can be when others don’t recognise your condition as a disability. The best way to approach this with employers is to focus on what support you need because of your disability rather than whether it’s a disability or not.
How is information about my disability used by employers?
Any information you provide about your disability during the recruitment process is confidential. It won’t be shared beyond the recruitment team unless you give them your permission.
If you’re offered an interview, the information is used to put the support and adjustments you need to make it accessible.
What support can I access during the recruitment process?
Being open with an employer about your disability gives you access to support, such as reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, which allows you to showcase your true potential to the employer.
Helen Cooke, CEO and Founder of MyPlus Students’ Club, shared the following advice on considering the adjustments you may need:
“It can be difficult to know what adjustments you need because every interview process is different, but it’s worth taking some time to reflect on the adjustments you need so that you can do your best.”
This article has been republished with the permission of MyPlus Students’ Club.
