Disability
Here we outline ways in which we can work flexibly with you to ensure you can make best use of your Careers Service.
The Careers Service is committed to providing an excellent service to all our users. Every student approaches career planning differently. For many disabled students their disability will have no bearing on their career plans - for others early planning may be particularly useful.
Careers information centres
Our careers information centres offer information about careers, employers, jobs, voluntary work and further study, as well as a range of integrated materials to help you choose and plan your career. Our website will save you lots of research time.
Specific assistance for disabled students
Both information centres are wheelchair accessible. If you need help, our information staff are available. We offer a short-term loan facility for disabled students so you can borrow resources to use relevant adaptive technology.
Careers Service publications can be requested in large print and on disk from the reception desk. We have cerium overlays available in several colours, for visually impaired students to facilitate the reading of books and leaflets in the centres.
Talk to a careers adviser
Any student or recent graduate can book an appointment. You don’t need to know what you want to do before you book your appointment. The adviser can help you generate, clarify your thinking or support you in putting your plans into action through reviewing your applications or helping you prepare for interviews.
We'd like you to feel confident that you can discuss, in confidence, anything you feel may impact on your decision-making and career planning.
Jobs/Vacancies
Our SAGE employer and vacancy database is a great place to look for graduate, vacation and part-time jobs and voluntary opportunities. It's updated daily and it’s easy to search. The archived vacancies are a good resource for finding out about employers and different types of work.
Employers’ Forum on Disability
Employers who are members of the Employers’ Forum on Disability are highlighted in the SAGE database.
A text version of current vacancies can be provided in alternative formats - please ask at reception.
Specific assistance for disabled students
By prior arrangement we can offer: an extended interview with a careers adviser lasting up to an hour; the use of relevant interpreting services or note takers; support by telephone and email.
It is helpful if you can let us know of any specific requirements when you book your interview to allow us to ensure you can access our full range of services.
If you'd like advice on employment issues relating to diversity and equality or disclosure of a disability, please come and talk to us or start with the resourcesin the information centre.
Careers talks and events
Seminars and workshops giving you an insight into different career areas, lunchtime talks on preparing CVs, going for interviews, postgraduate study; careers fairs and a programme of employer presentations to allow you to meet employers face to face.
Talks are also run within your School. Check with your course organiser what will be available. You can find out about all the Careers Service events by checking the 'Talks and events' section of our website.
Specific assistance for disabled students
Careers seminars, workshops and careers fairs are offered in accessible venues. Every effort is made to ensure that disabled students are able to fully participate in the event.
Materials can be provided electronically, on disk, in large print and in Braille on request. Please let us know your requirements so that we can provide the most appropriate information and support for you.
Advice on telling employers about disability
Students and graduates often have some anxiety around if, when and how to disclose disability during the selection process. New legislation means that in many cases, employers are no longer allowed to ask direct questions about health and disability prior to job offer.
Quick guide to the ban on questions about health and disability during recruitment - published by Government Equalities Office, this guide explains the types of questions that are not allowed at these stages and situations when questions about health and disability are permitted.
It's good to have a plan to decide how and when you discuss any reasonable adjustments you might need and how you present relevant skills and strengths you can demonstrate through activities or experiences related to a disability. This may be relevant for some students but not all. Here are some starting points for advice.
Disability Rights UK advice on disclosing disability - clear advice on the pros and cons, when and how to disclose and giving applicants control of the process
Prospects - advice on successful applications and disclosing disability
Target Jobs Case Study - a graduate gives her take on job-hunting as a disabled student and her view on the best way to disclose disability to employers.
Useful websites/organisations
University of Edinburgh Student Disability Service - provides information and advice on all aspects of support for disabled students at the University
Access to Work scheme - gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. For example, Access to Work might pay towards a support worker, equipment you need at work, the cost of getting to work if you cannot use public transport. If you need a communicator at job interviews, then Access to Work may also be able to pay some or all of the communicator costs.
Employers are not always familiar with Access to Work. If you get familiar with it and how it can help you and the employer, this will help you in your applications and interviews.
BlindinBusiness (BiB) exists to help all visually impaired undergraduates and graduates find jobs with some of the big names in business.
British Dyslexia Association - a comprehensive website with advice on finding and applying for jobs, how and when to tell employers about dyslexia and dyslexia support in the workplace. The website also has advice for students in Higher Education.
Business Disability Forum - UK employers’ organisation focusing on recruiting and retaining disabled staff and improving services to disabled customers. The "About us" section includes a lits of all members which can be used to identify potential employers.
Capability Scotland - provides a wide range of services to disabled people in Scotland.
Disability Rights UK - has a range of helpful factsheets including clear information on "Access to Work" support scheme and a good resource on disclosing disability. The section that contains publications by Radar includes a useful publication called "Doing Careers Differently" .
Equality & Human Rights Commission - merging the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Rights Commission, this site offers information on the rights, including employment rights of various diverse groups.
Disability Toolkits - provides information and advice about work experience for disabled students. It includes sections for students, their academic supervisors and employers. Topics include how to find a placement, before, during and after the placement as well as case studies and profiles.
Disabled Workers Cooperative - a not for profit organisation that aims to create a national database of disabled people offering a product or service. The website also has job vacancies and news and information for disabled workers.
EmployAbility - this is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting people with all disabilities into employment, working primarily but not exclusively with disabled university undergraduates and graduates, EmployAbility offers support throughout the entire recruitment process. They also have information on internship and placement opportunities and specialist recruitment events.
Forth Sector Restart - an organisation providing advice and support for people who suffer from mental illness, and who have been unemployed for over 6 months but who would like to get back to work.
IntoWork - aims to create an equal, barrier-free labour market. Into Work is currently running a project which provides employment consultancy and support services in Edinburgh and Lothians.
Jobcentre Plus - provides support and advice for disabled people seeking employment.
MIND - is the mental health charity in England and Wales. As well as providing a range of advice and support, it also has specific advice for job applicants.
National Autistic Society (NAS) - leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. The NAS has a specialist employment service, Prospects, which also works in partnership with Remploy.
Number 6 - A service for people with Autism or Asperger Syndrome living in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Number 6 offers many services, including work placement.
Prospects - graduate careers service website. Has an equal opportunities section covering disability and some useful links.
Remploy - employment opportunities for disabled people including specific support for graduates.
SCOPE- SCOPE's leadership recruitment provides graduate opportunities for disabled people
Shaw Trust is a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work and find jobs. Its student and graduate scheme has placement and graduate opportunities with major employers which are open only to disabled people.
This article was published on Jan 31, 2013