Students clam up over disability

Graduates are reluctant to be open about their disabilities or long-term health conditions to potential employers, according to a new study.

The research undertaken by Great with Disability, a careers website designed for students and graduates with disabilities, found that more than three-quarters (77%) of disabled graduates fear employers will discriminate against them.

The report, Openness: understanding why students are reluctant to be open with employers about their disability, found that other key concerns were fear that they were seen as a hassle or nuisance (72%); being treated differently in front of other candidates (57%); how the information will be used (54%); and with whom the information will be shared (43%).

Great with Disability founder Helen Cooke said the issue of nondisclosure was of “great importance” to both graduates and employers.

“An employer is unable to make the adjustments or provide the support an individual may need to navigate the recruitment process if they are unaware of their disability or health condition,” she said. “As a result, organisations often miss out on top talent, and individuals miss out on the opportunity to display their skills and achieve their potential.”

The research found role models to be critical, with 71% of graduates saying they would have been encouraged by seeing other disabled employees.

Some 70% said they would be more likely to be open about their condition if there was a dedicated member of staff they could talk to during the recruitment process.

www.greatwithdisability.com/pdf/GwD_Openness_Research_Report_2015.pdf