Beth writes

Tag: access to work

  • Access to work

    wheelchair bound worker uses chair to support laptop
    Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

    I don’t talk much about my work, but I have a part time administration job. Some of you who read this know who I work for. As this blog is not connected to work and office, I won’t say much.

    What I can tell you is I have had several public speaking opportunities on disability employment.

    decorative image of lightbulb

    There has a been large push to get more disabled into work, but it doesn’t look at the largest barrier. That is social attitudes and unconscious bias.

    Stop sign illustrating a barrier
    Photo by Mwabonje Ringa on Pexels.com

    I searched for work 6 years after leaving university before going to a specialist disabled recruitment agency.
    Why didn’t I join them sooner? I don’t like being given a label or told to join the other disabled people. I was desperate to be included, and not segregated.

    decorative image of hand trying to grasp a bright light
    Photo by Luca Nardone on Pexels.com

    The work pays but not enough for me to save a great deal. Actually, I need to have benefits on top. There isn’t a way a disabled person can get into work without specialist recruitment agencies. If the disabled person wants to change jobs, the agencies can’t help them unless unemployed.

    The action here is to think about how we can change the social bias on disability employment. If you want to change the situation, you need a plan.

  • Accessible content – getting through barriers

    Photo by Mwabonje Ringa on Pexels.com

    Thanks for staying with me.

    We can’t talk about access, without looking at the things that prevent it, blocks and barriers.

    Ask any disabled person, I expect you will find that they have come against blocks/barriers in their life.

    Some places try to improve this and will consult with learning disabled on how things can be done better. I see a few companies putting in positive employment schemes to help disabled workers join or advance. That’s brilliant help.

    Let’s talk about how we manage through barriers without the help there.

    It’s important that we speak out and explain the issues that we have. After all, if we can’t explain the problem or barrier, how can others help us through it?

    I challenge you to think about the blocks and barriers in front of you. Write them down, list the areas and explain how you would like others to help you through.