Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you based on a disability (or long-term health condition) whether directly or indirectly. This applies to graduate schemes, entry-level jobs, promotions, and workplace policies.
The Careers & Employability Service offers support and guidance on accessing disability-confident employers, voluntary organisations, disclosing your disability, and requesting reasonable adjustments during and after the recruitment process. You can book an appointment with a careers advisor on My Career Enriched. We're here to help throughout your studies and up to three years after graduation.
MyPlus
My Career Enriched has a Pathway called MyPlus: Applying to roles with a disability. This pathway can help with building confidence when applying to roles and opportunities and includes activities to help communicate your strengths, disclose your disability, create an openness statement and request recruitment process adjustments.
You can take a look at the MyPlus Students' Club website here.
Sharing your Disability with an Employer
Sharing your disability or health condition is very much a matter of personal choice. This can be done
Employers must make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure disabled employees are not treated less favourably. These adjustments can include accessibility support or changes in assessment formats, starting from the application stage. Access to Work (ATW) provides government funding for reasonable adjustments in the workplace, such as computer software, special equipment, note-takers, or taxi fares if public transport isn't an option.
Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
A progressive condition is one that gets worse over time. People with progressive conditions can be classed as disabled.
However, you automatically meet the disability definition under the Equality Act 2010 from the day you’re diagnosed with HIV infection, cancer or multiple sclerosis.
The University of Cumbria has joined with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to provide Sunflower lanyards to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.
It is a simple tool for you to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily. Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re just letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
From July 2024 you can acquire a free Sunflower lanyard from the university library on any of our campuses.
You do not and will not be asked to disclose your personal circumstances or provide any proof of hidden disability. This is a conscious decision, as it is appreciated that some circumstances can result in the additional challenges of receiving a timely and formal diagnosis, as well as wanting to avoid any level of disability policing or people having to share personal details.
