A workshop hosted by Mayer Brown; London

Thursday 30th April 10am – 1pm.

Level the playing field: accessing support and adjustments during the recruitment process.

The 14% of disabled students at UK universities find harder to get work experience, placements and graduate employment than their non-disabled counterparts; and research shows that disabled graduates at all qualification levels are less likely to have obtained full-time employment than non-disabled graduates. An identified cause of this is that disabled students are not requesting the support they need to succeed during the recruitment process.

Recruitment processes are designed to be challenging and competitive, however for those with a disability they can be impossible if appropriate support and adjustments are not put in place. Not surprisingly, however, asking for this support is challenging; but if students don’t request it, they will continue to be rejected for roles that they are more than capable of doing.

The workshop will enable delegates to help students access the support they require by:

• Building knowledge and understanding of the wide variety of support and adjustments that employers can provide
• Provide insights into how the adjustment process works
• Enable delegates to confidently advise their students on how and when to request support during the recruitment process
• Provide practical tools to support students during the application process

There will also be the opportunity to hear from employers and students who will provide insights and share their experiences.

The workshop will be delivered by Helen Cooke, Director of MyPlus. It will provide the delegates with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and discuss the key issues. The format will also enable delegates to learn from others working in this challenging space.

Helen’s session offered insightful knowledge borne from her wide experience of engaging with employers that will certainly add to the skills and advice of practitioners and student advisors in further and higher education. – Ian Carter – Director, National Association of Disability Practitioners

Who should attend?

This workshop is relevant to all university staff who support students applying for jobs, internships and placements and who want to build their understanding of the challenges facing disabled students in relation to employment and their ability to provide guidance.