Looking for work if you're disabled
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1. Looking for a job
When you’re looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.
This symbol means:
- the employer is committed to employing disabled people.
- you’ll be guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job
Find out about jobs in your area at your local Jobcentre.
Getting help
Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.
They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about:
- your skills and experience
- what kind of roles you’re interested in
Ask the work coach at your local Jobcentre.
Programmes and grants
Your work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. These include:
- Access to Work - money towards a support worker or for the cost of equipment or travelling to work
- Work and Health Programme - to help you find and keep a job
2. Applying for a job
You may be able to apply for an Access to Work grant if you need communication support at your job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker).
Questions about your health or disability
An employer is not normally allowed to ask you questions about your health or disability before they offer you a job.
They can only ask you about this for very limited reasons, for example to:
- make ‘reasonable adjustments’ - for example if you need a large print version of a test
- decide if you can do something that is an essential part of the job
If you’re treated unfairly when you apply for a job
Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service if you think you’ve been treated unfairly.
You may also be able to take a complaint to an employment tribunal - you have to do this within 3 months of the discrimination happening.