But are things different for a patient with mobility disabilities who at the same time has a MA and Ph.D in Philosophy? Do they still discriminate? I mean what are the prospects for him/her? Do people still discriminate in academia or the education sector?
VickyG
I guess they are not supposed to legally. From all the information gathered here, I guess it is a disadvantage to have RA. You can only try & find out.
VIcky - Like Gina I don't think they are allowed to but don't really know. Lavender Lady is the one with all the legal knowledge and she will probably be along soon with the correct information.
Me again Vicky, i wanted to expand a wee bit more. I am quite specialised and experienced in my work in the voluntary sector - i was chatting to a group of people about thinking of moving employment as i was having a bit of trouble and i was really surprised that 3/4 of the people i was with thought i didn't have a chance getting a new post having RA.
I would have thought if you are capable of doing the post, it would be difficult to discriminate against you.
Hi vicky, discrimination on the grounds of disability, etc is illegal. Provided you can do the job you are applying for even if it means your employers have to make certain adjustments like seating arrangements, rest periods etc there is no bar to a disabled person getting work.
However, if you are turned down for a job, you may feel it is because of your disability but that will not be the reason given and it would be very hard to prove otherwise and you would need to take specialist advice from an employment lawyer, CAB, Trade Union.
Most employers these days are more enlightened than they used to be. If applying for a new job, you have to be honest and explain you have RA and the effect it does have on your day to day life. Sometimes a letter from your GP can help as well, as well as the NRAS helpful booklets on working with RA, as employers could be worried that having employed you, you then take endless days off with illness causing problems for other members of staff who have to cover your job.
Hope that helps. LavendarLady x
It seems to me that even tho' we have the protective legislation in place, the economic crisis has pushed us backwards. And the academic sector is struggling just as much as other areas with quite deep cuts everywhere.
Does anyone else remember when it was hard to even get an interview for a proper job if you were a woman? Employers aren't likely to admit to it - but in hard times they're going to want to take the easiest option which is someone with few problems, especially if they already have a few token disabled employees (sorry to be so cynical, but legislation hasn't cured discrimination just wrapped it up in nicer packaging). So yet again it probably means that we'll have to work harder to get the same things as others. So make sure your CV is really sparkling, and emphasises all the positive attributes that shows you're the best person for the job. Polly
I'm afraid so! I have qualifications coming out of my ears, but I'm under no illusions as to how difficult it will be to get a job with my sickness record & declaring myself disabled. I've recently given a work experience job at Asda: they recognise that I have RA and don't expect me to do too much. I have a degree in Psychology (York) and RCN/ RSCN/ RMN (Liverpool). You will always be in competition with your able bodied peers.
If anyone needs extra information about employment law, discrimination, etc. go onto the CAB Advice Guide (put advice guide into your search engine and it will come up), click on employment and all the information you need should be there. LavendarLady x
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