Disabilities

[livia]

I have cerebral palsy - spastic diplegia. I always do mention it when I fill in a job application because I think I ought to. I'm not a severe case, but I think those words scare employers. Is it worse to declare it on the form or have them find out on the first day?

[Scarlett]

I would declare it, as it's only fair on you both. It won't affect your job chances, as most jobs now insist on there being equal rights; in fact I have seen jobs advertised looking for disabled people as well as ethnic minorities. More than ever nowadays this should not affect whether you get the job or not.

[Shelle]

I am disabled too, but as my being deaf affected my abilities (ie I have office skills but cannot use the telephone) I prefer to be honest and it always goes on my application even if they do not ask.  I prefer to be honest so everyone knows where they stand.  Granted, I have lost jobs as a result (dont let anyone kid you the law protects us - its another thng to prove it when the companies can use other excuses such as lack of knowledge, no exerience on a certain topic etc).  It took me 2 years to get another permanant job after being made redundant, but at least I know I was in the right being honest, and I got the job on my own merits (eventually!).  Please dont let me put you off, as my disability may have affected my chances more than for you (without knowing how much it affects your daily life).  It all depends on whether you want to be honest from the start and start as you mean to go on.

[kazza12345]

i usually do not put my disabilities on an application form/cv, however if i have an informal visit or interview i tell them then (there is not much point in not telling them as it is visible).  I work in the nhs currently, and i'm sure my disability helped me, as they have to have a certain quota, and i have mentioned it tongue in cheek to some interviewers,(that i would be a good way of filling their quotas)

However, there is no obligation for you to disclose a disability, except to occupational health, and then they have no right to dicusss it with the employer 

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Certainly with local govt jobs we are obliged (sorry if this isnt the correct word) to give all disabled applicants an interview.  So I think its beneficial to declare this on an application. 

Wouldnt you have to tick a box saying you are not disabled and therefore in effect you are lying on your application?? 

[livia]

 Some of them ask if you consider yourself to have a disability that you'd like to tell them about, but I'm never sure if this is meant as an open question or a strong hint.

[Sado]

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines a person with a disability as someone who has: 'A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial or long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Long term means that the disability will last, or be expected to last, for 12 months or is expected to become substantial'.

On a personal note, I sometimes think that employers are scared to take on people with disabilities, they may think that they have to make more than 'reasonable adjustments'. Honesty is the best policy, though, tell them first and be prepared for setbacks, but persevere!