Disability Friendly Employers
Deciding whether to tell an employer that you are disabled can be a major worry when you are applying for jobs.
Although employers are bound by the Disability Discrimination Act ( DDA ) to treat you fairly, some have demonstrated that they are particularly positive about employing disabled people.
There are some ways in which you can easily identify those employers who positively encourage disabled people to apply for their jobs.
The points below may help you identify those employers.
The ‘two ticks’ disability symbol - Some employers make very clear their commitment to employing disabled people by placing the Jobcentre Plus ‘two ticks’ disability symbol on their job adverts.
Equal opportunities policies - Many employers have equal opportunities policies. If so, then the employer will have a certain commitment to recruiting and employing without prejudice. You may feel more comfortable disclosing a disability if the company has declared that it will not discriminate against you on that basis.
Job adverts and application forms - Look out for the following:
- has an employer advertised in a wide range of formats, for example, large print or audio tape?
- where did you see the advert? Some employers deliberately place adverts in places where disabled people are more likely to see them, such as with a Disability Employment Adviser at a Jobcentre Plus office
- are application forms available in different formats?
- are arrangements in place that enable candidates to submit forms in the format best suited to them?
- are you asked on the application form to say whether any special provisions are required at interview?
- is there a section on the application form setting out very briefly their duty as an employer to make adjustments and asking you to comment on any adjustments you think you might need because of disability or a health condition?
Disabled workers share the same general employment rights as other workers, but there are also some special provisions for them under the DDA . You can find out more about your rights and emploers responsibilites under the Disability Discrimination Act elsewhere.
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