Careers and Employability
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Services to Disabled Students
Our services
All the services that Careers and Employability offers are available to students with or without a disability. As a disabled student, however, you will already be aware that you often need to plan ahead in order to ensure you anticipate and overcome any potential difficulties. The Careers and Employability Service is here to support you in exploring and deciding upon the best career options for you and then progressing to employment, voluntary work or further study. You can use the service at any stage of your degree or postgraduate study/research - the sooner the better.
In the Careers and Employability Centre we have publications entitled Diversity Matters; Disability and Diversity Matters; Mental Health which we are happy to copy for you. This publication includes identifying employers, top tips for applications and case studies. See below for additional useful information.
We provide:
Drop-in Sessions
Drop-in sessions enable you to make initial contact with us for advice on researching information, careers decision making, work experience, access to vacancies, help with application and much more. These are held in the Careers and Employability Centre on a sign-up basis. If you would find it difficult to have a discussion with background noise and/or with other students present please ask at reception for an interview and we will arrange this for you.
Guidance Interviews
We offer interviews to enable an in-depth, confidential discussion of career issues. If you require any specific accommodations within the interview please let us know in advance and we will ensure that this is organised.
Workshops
We offer a range of workshops in the autumn and spring semesters - see our careers events for details. These include applications, interviews, internships and work experience. We strive to ensure that we hold these sessions in accessible rooms. If you have access difficulties or need adjustments for any workshops please let us know in advance and we will address these issues.
Job hunting and legislation:
TargetJobs http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/equal-opportunities-and-diversity
Provides information on the Disability Discrimination Act, advice on choosing an employer and disclosure.
Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk
Gives detailed advice on disclosure at various points in the application process, information on positive employers, case studies and top tips.
Disability Rights UK www.disabilityalliance.org
Provides information and advice.
Gov.uk www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities
Government website with a section on employment issues for disabled people. This includes government funded employment support schemes - such as Access to Work: www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Job Centre Plus www.gov.uk/browse/working/finding-job
JobCentrePlus has now been incorporated into the Gov.uk website. You can find out about their processes and programmes as well as general careers and job seeking advice.
Opportunities and support:
EmployAbility www.employ-ability.org.uk
EmployAbility is the not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and manages the selection and recruitment for disability inclusive employers seeking to attract and recruit disabled people onto internships, graduate programmes and other permanent roles.
The Association of Disabled Professionals www.adp.org.uk
Provides details of a help-line which can provide employment advice, information and/or peer support. Also has a link to the Disabled Entrepreneurs’ Network.
Disabled Talent www.channel4.com/4disabledtalent/index.html
Links to details of a database of disabled people who want to work in TV in order to enable programme makers to find disabled people to participate in programming.
The Group for Solicitors with Disabilities www.gsdnet.org.uk/content/for_students
Offers a Mentoring Scheme in which mentors offer support and encouragement to potential solicitors.
The ManageAble Scheme www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/manageable
Aims at increasing the number of disabled managers in the BBC.
Motability Scholarship Programme www.motabilityoperations.co.uk
Gives information on a Scholarship Programme incorporating degree sponsorship and a paid summer placement each year as well as their Graduate Scheme.
Papworth Trust www.papworth.org.uk/page.php?urlid=work
Provides information on their Employment Programmes designed to assist disabled job seekers with identifying appropriate jobs, skills development, finding work placements and job hunting.
Remploy www.remploy.co.uk
Remploy have recently developed their work with disabled graduates providing the support of a Remploy Employment Adviser to assist with job search advice, training and development and work placements.
Shaw Trust www.shaw-trust.org.uk
Details the training and work opportunities offered for disabled people and contact details.
Support for students/graduates with specific disabilities:
Action for Blind People www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/help-advice/employment
Gives details of the support available in job-hunting, supported employment and self employment.
Action on Hearing Loss www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Provides information and advice on assessments and equipment for the workplace. Formerly RNID.
Blind in Business www.blindinbusiness.co.uk
Provides information on assistance for graduates and students in accessing employment and adjustments in the workplace.
British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/adults-and-business/dyslexia-support-in-the-workplace.html
Advice on practical adjustments in the workplace.
British Stammering Association www.stammering.org/employee_booklet.html
Provides information on dealing with stammering in the job application and interview process with links to relevant advice and support.
Dyspraxia Foundation www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
Offers help and guidance for job seekers and employees as well as useful web links.
B-eat www.b-eat.co.uk
The eating disorder charity, B-eat have a factsheet on eating disorders in the workplace which can be downloaded.
Epilepsy Action www.epilepsy.org.uk
Includes information on work and epilepsy for employees and employers.
Mind www.mind.org.uk
Leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind's information includes advice for people with mental health problems who are seeking work. Use the site map to see Factsheets which are categorised under Employment. Also contains extensive list of relevant web links.
Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) www.meassociation.org.uk
The ME Association provides support for sufferers of ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and PVFS (Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome). Contact the association for information related to employment.
National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/employment.aspx
A section on Employment offers advice and support for jobseekers with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Rethink Mental Illness www.rethink.org
The charity for people with severe mental illnesses has a page on work.
RNIB www.rnib.org.uk
Includes information and advice for job seekers.
Stammering Law www.stammeringlaw.org.uk
Provides information relating to the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to stammering. The employment section contains a lot of useful information.
Identifying Disability Friendly Employers
Disability Symbol Organisations can display this symbol when they have met key criteria regarding the employment, recruitment, training and retention of disabled employees. More information can be found at www.civvystreet.org
Disability Now www.disabilitynow.org.uk
Displays a vacancy listing targeted at disabled people.
Forum on Disability www.employers-forum.co.uk
This forum provides support for employers keen to recruit and retain disabled employees. Search on Members to see the membership list of member organisations.
Jobs for Disabled People www.disabledworkers.org.uk/careers/default.asp
Lists vacancies which employers wish to be brought to the attention of disabled people.
Where are we?
The Careers and Employability Service is situated within Student Support and Development Services which is on the ground floor, Walter Moberly Building, room WM0.35 (by the side entrance).
External: 01782 733023/733523
Internal: 33023/33523
Updated 8 April 2013
Email: careers@keele.ac.uk
