Job-hunting isn’t just about an employer choosing you, it’s also about you choosing them. For a happy working life, it’s essential to work for an employer with a positive attitude towards disability.

Many organisations are keen to develop a diverse workforce that makes use of talented people from all sections of society. Employers compete for the best talent available, so if their workforce doesn’t reflect the community at large, they may be missing out on some really able people.

Identifying this commitment is important if you are drawing up a shortlist of employers to target. Although it is against the law for employers to discriminate against disabled people, you may find it helpful to approach employers with a particularly proactive approach to encouraging diversity in their workforce.

Targeting disability-friendly employers

There are many ways to find employers committed to diversity, such as targeting employers that are members of the Employers’ Forum on Disability. With over 400 members, the Forum represents organisations employing over 20% of the UK workforce.

The Forum works with Government to make it easier to employ disabled people, and so you can expect its members to have a positive attitude towards disability.

Other employers with a declared commitment to and record of encouraging applications from disabled people are those displaying Jobcentre Plus’s Disability Symbol (a circular symbol with two ticks).

This means they have agreed to:

• interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities
• ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what they and the company can do to make sure they can develop and use their abilities
• make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
• take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work
• review the five commitments and what has been achieved each year, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans.

For one-to-one advice, visit your university careers service and discuss your options with a careers adviser. You could also visit your local Jobcentre Plus to talk to a Disability Employment Adviser.

What to look for in a disabled-friendly employer

You could also check how disability friendly companies are by looking at their literature and websites. How prominent are any statements about diversity? Are disabled people featured? Do they work with any disability organisations such as Employment Opportunities or Scope? At interview, you could ask for examples of how other disabled employees have been supported by the organisation.

It’s also a good idea to check whether the company has a diversity policy by looking on its website or requesting a copy. A good diversity policy is one that is embedded in the culture of the organisation and understood by all involved in it.

Diversity policies should:

• embrace diversity legislation as a starting point for change that brings about improved performance and increased competitiveness
• promote an environment in which difference is accepted and welcomed, the best staff are recruited and, therefore, customer needs are better understood
• cover recruitment and selection, work/life balancing, training, professional development, and promotion and progression.

Internships and placements

One way to increase your employability and test out an employer at the same time is to carry out an internship or work placement. There are many schemes aimed specifically at disabled students, which may help you to decide which employers to target.

Find out more

• Disability contacts