| What
is the Disability Symbol? |
|
 Its
a recognition given by the Employment Service to employers who have
agreed to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment,
retention, training and career development of disabled employees.
|
| How
is the symbol relevant to me as a jobseeker or employee? |
|
Symbol using employers make five commitments regarding the employment,
retention, training and career development of disabled people. These
commitments ensure that disabled people are supported by employers
and treated fairly at every stage of their selection and employment.
|
| What
are the five commitments made by employers? |
|
Employers who use the symbol have agreed with the Employment Service
that they will take action on these five commitments:
- to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum
criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities
- to ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any
time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what you
and they can do to make sure they can develop and use their abilities
- to make every effort when employees become disabled to make
sure they stay in employment
- to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate
level of disability awareness needed to make your commitments
work
- each year, to review the five commitments and what has been
achieved, to plan ways to improve on them and let employees and
the Employment Service know about progress and future plans.
|
| How
will I recognise the Disability Symbol? |
|
 The
Disability Symbol shown across is a circular symbol, usually green,
with two ticks.
|
|
What does it mean if I see the Disability Symbol on a job advert?
|
|
It means the employer will guarantee to interview you if you meet
the minimum criteria for that job. Find out from the employer what
the minimum criteria are. That way, you'll have a good idea of whether
its worth applying and what to expect.
|
| What
if I'm already working for a symbol user? |
|
If you're working for an employer who uses the symbol, and you
are disabled, you'll have the chance to say whether more can be
done so that you are able to develop in your job and use your abilities
fully. The guaranteed interview promise also applies to vacancies
advertised internally in your organisation, provided you meet the
minimum criteria for the job. Check what these are before applying.
|
| What
if I become disabled or it becomes difficult to do my job because
of disability? |
|
If you become disabled, or if there are changes
in your disability or in aspects of your present job which make
it difficult for you to carry on in the same work, as a symbol user
your employer will do all they can to make sure you can stay in
a job.
|
| Are
my legal rights as a disabled person affected by my employer being
a symbol user? |
|
Symbol using employers are covered by the Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) in the same way as other employers of 15 or more people.
The action they take as a symbol user is in addition to any obligations
placed on them by the Act, and in no way affects your rights as
a disabled person under this Act. More information about the DDA
is available from the DfEE
website or you can contact:
Disability Rights Commission Helpline
Freepost MID02164
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 9BR
Telephone: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
Faxback: 08457 622 611
|
