Guaranteed interview scheme - disabilities

Tygermoth

Hi all,

On here twice in one day! However this time I need to ask a question.

I have dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia - the first two diagnosed in school (abroad) and the last while in Uni however I don’t belive this were formalised in anyway - for example my GP advised.

As I suffer heavily with the above I have always been up front with potential employers. If asked the question of a application form - do you consider yourself to have a disability? I will tick yes.

Anyhow today I have been contacted by a company I submitted a application to and they have been advised I am entitled to a interview on the disabilities guaranteed interview scheme. I feel a bit unsure about this as its MY belief I am disabled not a formalised/reported opinion of a medical professional. Only the professional opinion of teachers, previous works Occy health and my Uni lecturers which, as far as I can tell, is not a formal 'diagnosis' as such.

Is that a valid reason to accept this interview assistance program or would you say it was taking an unfair advantage?

So could I have your thoughts on the matter?

Many thanks

ohreally

I think, first and foremost, you should get a qualified diagnosis and proceed from there.

Mojisola

Tygermoth wrote: »

I have dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia - the first two diagnosed in school (abroad) and the last while in Uni however I don’t belive this were formalised in anyway - for example my GP advised.

How badly affected are you in daily life? Your posts are written very well for someone with dyslexia - I wish my son could do so well.

Tygermoth

Thanks ohreally,

I have an appiontment with the GP but as non urgent it is after the interview date.

Kind regards,

Tygermoth

Tygermoth

Mojisola wrote: »

How badly affected are you in daily life? Your posts are written very well for someone with dyslexia - I wish my son could do so well.

The wonder that is a spell checker. All my posts are constructed in word and pasted in to MSE

I work very very hard so anyone would not be able to distinguish the amount of time and effort going in to my written words.

So thank you for the compliment

Ps. All the best for your son.

KiKi

I would go. If your GP, teachers, Occ Health and uni lecturers are so certain (and all professionals), and if you have to write in word, change things, spellcheck and paste into here, then it's highly likely the informal diagnoses are correct.

You're not being deliberately dishonest to get an interview; the question was 'do you consider yourself to have a disability'. You do - it's something that significantly impacts your day to day life. So go along, see what happens. If they don't offer you the job then there's no issue. If they do, then you can explain the situation and say you're getting a formal diagnosis which you'll pass onto them.

The purpose of such schemes is to stop employers weeding out those with disabilities and not even considering them further (because people make assumptions about what you can do without meeting you). You've still got to compete for the job. The only 'advantage' is that you automatically get an interview, but you would have got one if you were good enough, regardless of this scheme. And if you're not good enough (or wouldn't usually have passed the application stage) then you won't get the job anyway.

I wouldn't worry about it; if I was interviewing I'd be fine with that. It's less about you and more about the employers.
KiKi

savingqueen

Hi there Tygermoth,

I also consider myself as a person with a disability (I have a speech impairment). I had speech therapy as a child but I am not registered disabled, in receipt of any disability benefits or have any formal disability status - but I have always ticked the disability box when applying for jobs. I don't feel I need to justify this - I have an obvious disability but would do the same even if it wasn't obvious.

People with disabilities have extra challenges in most if not all areas of life , including employment and schemes such as the guaranteed interview scheme help to redress the imbalance a little. Yes it does mean I might possibly get more interviews than the "average" non-disabled person but there is still discrimination against disabled people in the workplace (and everywhere of course) so I know that I am also less likely to actually get a job after interview. I wouldn't have to do anything as such to demonstrate my own disability as you can hear it when I speak - BUT I would take great offence at the idea that I would have to formally prove it! I can't imagine there would be many people who would make up a disability to get ahead in the job seeking game - probably far less than those who doctor their CVs with false qualifications and the like.

I have experienced discrimination because of my disability in the past, in the present and no doubt in the future. Lots of people with disabilities do and that’s why there is disability legislation to attempt to counteract this. Of course it won’t stop discrimination but it helps to stop institutionalised discrimination (like an employer NOT shortlisting you on purpose simply because you have a disability regardless of whether or not you have the ability to do the job well. It’s the law and your right – you are not being pampered with an unfair advantage. Some people with a disability might consider themselves as having an unfair disadvantage!

Also a guaranteed interview means you still have to meet all the essential criteria for being shortlisted AND you still have to compete with other shortlisted candidates. In theory the best person for the job should get the job regardless of disability, age, gender and all the other discriminatory stuff.

government websites like directgov explains how disability is defined
ie. In the Act, a person has a disability if:
· they have a physical or mental impairment
· the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities

and will clarify the law on disability and employment if you want to know more. Look at the Equality Act 2010 – there is a section on recruitment questions.

Good luck!

Mojisola

Tygermoth wrote: »

The wonder that is a spell checker. All my posts are constructed in word and pasted in to MSE

I work very very hard so anyone would not be able to distinguish the amount of time and effort going in to my written words.

So thank you for the compliment

As you have to do so much extra work to get things right, you are at a disadvantage compared to non-dyslexics. I would go for the interview. If nothing comes from it, you haven't lost anything.

skater_kat

as long as you fit within the definition of the act you dont have to have a formal diagnosis - but it really helps.

however, i have been asked to provide evidence from the GP before to prove disabilities. I phoned my local disability advice centre and they said that 'it is reasonable for an employer to request this'.

I too always disclose disability on applications. However I always write a covering letter asking to be excluded from any kind of guranteed interview scheme. This is becuase I want to know i have earnt an interview (or not) solely on merit. Then i know if i have a real chance or not.

HTH

SarEl

savingqueen wrote: »

Also a guaranteed interview means you still have to meet all the essential criteria for being shortlisted AND you still have to compete with other shortlisted candidates. In theory the best person for the job should get the job regardless of disability, age, gender and all the other discriminatory stuff.

I agree entirely - and any employer who is operating this scheme will too. It is good practice and not done by a great many. It shows that the employer is prepared to consdier someone with a disability on an equal footing and not make assumptions about their abilitie sbased on physical characteristics. Under the scheme, you have to meet essential criteria before you are guaranteed an interview - so you have passed stage one (the application) on your own merits and nothing at all to do with your disability. So you can be pretty certain that they think you are a good candidate. Whether you are the best or not is now up to you to prove.

sweetilemon

I have dyslexia and was diagnosed formally by a child psycologist in school. I choose not to tick the box but do not lie. Ive had bad experiences when i felt it was a waste of time as they had only asked me because of my 'disability' and seemed judgemental, i regretted ever saying. Its a personal choice. I have told my employer now but a lot of people just think 'stupid' without understanding.