Disclosure of disabilities?

The Placements team at Royal Holloway have a duty of care to all students going out on placement during their Year in Business Degree and encourage any student with any disability or health condition, including mental health, to talk in confidence with the University Student Support Services or their relevant Placements Officer about the possibility of disclosing.

Rate my Placement recently featured a guest blog written by Helen Cooke Director and Founder of MyPlus Students’ Club which is a free online resource for students that offers comprehensive guidance on all aspects of applying for a job or internship with a disability, as well as providing connections to, and jobs with disability confident graduate recruiters.

Sponsors of the Club are:

Barclays, EY, Norton Rose Fulbright and gsk.

Featured employers are : https://myplusstudentsclub.com/employers/

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Helen says that if you have a disability " you don't know why the employer is asking if you have a disability or what the consequences will be if you say that you do have a disability; or what judgements will be made; or will they just reject you? And so, you say that you don’t have a disability, even though you do. 

The reality is that employers are looking to recruit the very best talent, and they recognise that this includes individuals who have a disability or health condition. They want you to inform them about your disability or, more specifically, the support that you will need through the recruitment process in order that you can demonstrate your potential. Only you can decide whether you are going to be open.

The article cites 5 reasons why it recommends anyone with a disability or health condition may consider disclosing their disability to an employer: https://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/blog/reasons-open-disclosing-disability-employer/

1. You can request the adjustments or support you need
2. You can discuss your disability positively with an employer
3. You can draw on your disability to demonstrate the required competencies  - eg your resilience, determination or problem solving skills
4. You can be yourself
5. Your disability will help you stand out - look at what you have achieved despite having a disability and the barriers that this can present.

MyPlus Students' Club also provides work profiles of those with disabilities which are packed with advice.

https://myplusstudentsclub.com/stories/from-the-workplace/bryony-smith/
https://myplusstudentsclub.com/stories/from-the-workplace/tallulah-bygraves-head-of-selection/
https://myplusstudentsclub.com/stories/from-the-workplace/guy-arthur-bush/
 further profiles here: https://myplusstudentsclub.com/stories/from-the-workplace/

 an employer's perspective:
 https://myplusstudentsclub.com/stories/from-the-workplace/michelle-blunt/

You may not choose to disclose during the placement recruitment process but may choose to do so when starting on your placement. While on placement you will typically spend an average of 36 hours per week in the workplace and so this time can have a considerable influence on your health and well being. Working can certainly contribute to an individual's happiness, in providing structure, building confidence, self esteem and in providing financial rewards. It is important though to ensure that while on placement you focus on your health and well being and remember that support is available not only within the placement provider but also at the University.

Disabilities as defined by the 2010 Equality act refers to those with a physical or mental impairment that has a "substantial" and "long term" negative effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities. It includes recurring (such as serious mental health conditions) and progressive conditions (such as Multiple sclerosis, cancer of HIV infections).

You can register at Royal Holloway's Disability and Dyslexia Services if you have:
> A social/ communication impairment such as an Autistic Spectrum condition
> A visual or sensory impairment uncorrected by glasses
> A long standing or chronic condition (such as Cancer, HIV, Diabetes, Chronic Heart Disease or Epilepsy)
> A mental health condition such as Depression, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and Anxiety Disorder.
> A specific learning difficulty such as Dyslexia, Dypraxia, ADHD.
> A physical impairment or mobility issues.

Additional support within Royal Holloway for those with disabilities can be found here:

 https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/students/jobs-careers/apply/barriers-to-work.aspx

 https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/students/help-support/disabilities-and-dyslexia/home.aspx