Students with disabilities
Careers and Employability is committed to supporting all students, including those with a disability or health condition, to develop employability skills and progress confidently into employment or further study. Learn more about this additional support, which you do not need to have a formal diagnosis to access.
How we can help
We offer the following support
- One-to-one accessible appointments.
- Advice on reasonable adjustments.
- Specialised career resources and workshops.
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. If you fall within this definition, you are legally protected against discrimination because of your disability. Disability includes –
- Physical or sensory impairments.
- Neurodivergence (such as autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
- Mental health.
- Long-term health conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, or HIV).
Entering the workplace with a disability can present additional challenges in an already challenging environment. From navigating competitive recruitment processes, to talking about your disability with employers, we are here to support you.
Access support
- One-to-one accessible appointments
- Navigating disability and employment
- Job hunting and application resources
- Disability Confident employer scheme
- Resources for disabled students
One-to-one accessible appointments
Students with disabilities can access extended one-to-one careers appointments with a Careers Consultant. These are available in-person or online via MS Teams.
How long is it?
40 minutes
What can I use my accessible appointment for?
You can use your appointment to discuss any careers related topic, including –
- Career planning and exploring ideas.
- Job hunting strategy.
- Application forms, CVs or cover letters.
- Interview practice.
- Disability-related queries.
Book an appointment on CareerHub
If there is anything you’d like us to know in advance of your appointment, such as any reasonable adjustments you require, please add these as a note when making your appointment booking on Careers Hub.
Navigating disability and employment
Talking about disability with employers
Talking about a disability with employers is called disclosure. It is a personal choice and not legally required, but it is highly advisable to ensure you get necessary reasonable adjustments and legal protection. Having an open dialogue with employers about your needs can help them to support you to do your job well. It can also ensure that you have a fair chance at securing employment despite your disability.
Disclosure
Disclosure is when employees or potential employees choose to inform their employer of their disability and how it affects them. The Equality Act 2010 protects disability rights within the UK, and this act protects you in all stages, including application forms, interviews, job offers, and then during employment. It is against the law for employers to discriminate against a potential or current employee because of a disability.
When to talk
You can disclose during application, at interview, or once in the role. It is beneficial to inform them when it affects your ability to do the job or when you need support.
What to say
Focus on what the employer can do to help (e.g., extended time, flexible hours, new equipment) rather than just the medical diagnosis.
Keep it professional
Assume the employer knows little about your condition. Be open, honest, and direct about your needs. You are best place to educate the employer about your requirements.
Do I have to disclose my disability?
No. There is no requirement to tell an employer about your disability. Employers should not ask if applicants have a disability or other health related issues. Although this question will be permitted in some circumstances that are essential to the job at hand. Some of these circumstances include –
- Helping to decide whether you can carry out a certain task such as heavy lifting.
- Helping to decide if candidates can take part in all stages of recruitment.
- To decide whether reasonable adjustments are needed.
- To monitor diversity within the workplace.
Reasonable adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 states that employers must ensure that workers with disabilities or physical and mental health conditions are not disadvantaged while doing their jobs. Some examples of reasonable adjustments include –
- Changing the recruitment process so a candidate can be considered for a job.
- Physical changes around the workplace.
- Implementing new equipment such as a special keyboard.
- Flexible hours or part-time working.
You can read more about this on the Gov.uk website: Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions.
The Citizens’ Advice Bureau also has guidance about requesting reasonable adjustments here: Asking your employer for changes to help you if you’re disabled.
Discrimination
Many disabled applicants fear discrimination in the recruitment process or workplace. This is a common reason that many give for not disclosing their disability to an employer.
The Equality Act 2010 protects employees in Great Britain from workplace discrimination, requiring employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabilities. Prohibited actions include direct discrimination, indirect discrimination (unfair policies), harassment, and victimisation, covering all aspects from recruitment to dismissal.
Further links
Read more about the law and discrimination –
Job hunting and application resources
Disclosing a Disability in Cover Letters
Taking Psychometric and Aptitude Tests with a Disability
GFI_Psychometric_tests_a_guide_for_disabled_and_neurodivergent_applicants_FINAL.pdf [PDF 201KB]
Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.
Through Disability Confident, thousands of employers are helping to:
- Challenge attitudes towards disability.
- Increase understanding of disability.
- Remove barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
- Ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
There are three levels to the scheme:
- Committed (Level 1): Employers agree to meet core commitments, including inclusive recruitment and promoting a culture of inclusion.
- Employer (Level 2): A self-assessment level where employers take, and validate, action to be a leader in disability employment.
- Leader (Level 3): Organisations act as champions in their community and sector, often supporting other businesses to become Disability Confident.
Indicators of a Disability Confident employer
- Look for the Disability Confident badge (Committed, Employer, or Leader levels) on job descriptions, websites, and emails.
- The job advert states they will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.
- They explicitly encourage disabled candidates to apply and ask about necessary adjustments at every stage.
List of Disability Confident Employers
Look out for the Disability Confident badge on employers’ websites:
Resources for disabled students
A government led organisation, providing advice, resources and further links for how to gain support in the workplace if you have a disability.
A UK based not for profit organisation that provides support, advise, and advocates on behalf of neurodivergent and disabled university students and graduates to remove barriers in employment.
A UK based global disability job board run by and for people with lived experience of disability.
UK disability-friendly jobs board and accessible careers resources, including a helpful guide for navigating employment as a disabled person.
Government run website with information and resources on how to find support as a disabled person, and links to external organisations that offer support and advice.
Queen Mary resources
Queen Mary Disability and Dyslexia Service
Whilst the Careers service supports students with disabilities in all things careers-related, the Disability and Dyslexia Service provides a range of support in other areas, such as accessing Disabled Students’ Allowance, implementing reasonable adjustments at university and advice on managing your specific disability.
Queen Mary Students with Disabilities Society
A student society for Queen Mary students with disabilities.
Queen Mary Neurodivergent Society
A student society for neurodivergent students.