So my mind was made up I was just going to spend the next year or so concentrating on setting up home with my partner and staying medically retired, busying myself with some not so small projects (because everything takes ten times longer) and focusing on self-care through meditation and Qigong...sounds idyllic eh?
well, that is until today, I have just seen a job that is ideal for me! (if I was completely free from those usual symptoms we all get; fatigue, decision making, problem-solving and confusion etc), I am ideal for the job in every way but (lots of buts really)...If I do decide to apply, when should I mention my disability? on the covering letter explaining the long work absence (4.5 years)? C.V? or during the interview (which i will undoubtedly get
Haven't told Her yet...I know what she'd say, and as always (damn it) she'd be right...grrr.
I really don't know, but I reckon the Scope helpline - 0808 800 3333 could help, they are really good. Also the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244. There is an organisation called Evenbreak - Google their website.
I had to stop work completely, (and I loved my job,) after my brain injury, so I sympathise with you.
Thank you. My work life was wonderful! Miss it terribly, this job is far less physically demanding but more of a senior post, very worried that it'll be too much for me.
The best place to contact would be the Jobcentre and ask for "Access to work scheme" this is a special department set up for people like yourself.
The work with prospective employers and candidates to make sure anyone whom hasn't worked for a while fits into the job and everybody know what to expect
Under employment legislation, the job application should include an equal opportunity form. This is where you declare any disabilities. The HR department should separate this from the main application for the purpose of shortlisting. The only thing the person's carrying out shortlisting should know is that you have declared a disability.
This goes in your favour, as under the discrimination act, as long as you are equal to, or better qualified for the job, they must offer you an interview.
During the interview, under the equal opportunity act they cannot ask specific questions in relation to your disability unless they ask all candidates the identical question.
This doesn't mean that a question won't crop up that you feel that you have to explain how you personally can forfill the role, and this might mean that you need to disclose aspects of your disability.
If at the end of all the interviews you score equally to someone without a disability, the must offer you the job above the other candidate.
It is up to HR to work out what if any reasonable adjustments have to be made for you to carry out your duties.
Knowing recruiters (if it were an agency), covering letters can get lost. The cv is more durable and has more chance of going under someone's eyes. I would pop it on the cv.
Just my tips from someone who has been a freelance consulant for years. I've deal with agencies and companies.
If you put it on your cv that you have been out of work for a while, make sure you can still sell yourself as a positive person. eg you have xxx challenges but you have xxx skills to offer. This shows qualities like tenacity, which are a good thing in an employee! It also shows your prospective employer that you are open and honest.
So use my experience of survival and motivation as positive influence?! Brilliant idea. I do have an amazing story 😉 and I'm very good at selling myself especially in person.
So I have read the whole vacancy (again)! I don't just tick ALL the criteria, its also a civil service position so they have a really good system of Equal Opportunity.
Interesting, I thought about this question quite a lot, before I (finally) admitted to myself that I couldn't still do my job (high accuracy, very memory dependent, lots of decisions and deadlines, buckets of screen work, 30 page reports....client and industry contact, long hours...... what can I say?)
I think it depends whether you work for large PLCs or any type of public service usually, or small private companies. The larger the organisation, the more likely that they will follow HR guidelines and law to the max - in which case Pairofboots has the answer here. With smaller private companies I would be inclined to play it down as much as possible in advance, and be prepared to be very convincing in the interview - I know, it's not ideal!
Rework your CV so that your best attributes and achievements are on the first page. Bury the work gap right at the end. If you have been able to participate in anything, or develop any skills that might be useful to the employer in the career gap flag 'em up as a positive.
But if you will need any special accomodations made in your workplace like regular breaks , I would do a covering letter, explaining that you are now ready to return to the workplace, but will need minor support? Only you will really know your usual work environment and the attitudes that prevail, so think about that. A good CV is key.
The thing is, most firms really just want to find someone they want to employ, so they can stop having to do recruitment stuff and get back to the day job - so go for it, if not this one, perhaps the next 😊
I remember working with a fantastic colleague, who was disabled, but who (albeit with commendable honesty) was inclined to point out all the possible downsides of appointing her, instead of flagging up her numerous and considerable strengths - I spent some time convincing her this was not the way to go (she is now very senior, happy, and secure in her firm and her own abilities).
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Knowing when to stop
memory issues
I'm 42 now, had my brain injury when I was 3 years old. Only accepted my brain injury as a part of me, 3 years ago. 
