if you have a disability do not let this stop you from getting employment while you are at uni

Our guest blogger, Harrison Moore, gives some pointers as to what you need to consider when applying for work as a disabled student.

Owing largely to the financial restrictions faced by students around the world, it’s common for people to explore employment opportunities during their higher education. As well as having access to a bit of extra cash, finding work while studying will encourage you to develop key life skills and gain professional experience – both of which will look good on your CV post-graduation. 

Lots of the typical student jobs – like waiting in a restaurant or working in a coffee shop – may be less accessible to students living with a disability. However, this doesn’t mean you should be discouraged from looking for work if you think it would benefit your university experience. Here are three key things to keep in mind if you do decide to pursue a part-time role at university. 

Understand your accessibility needs
In order for prospective employers to be accommodating throughout the application process, you first need to have a good understanding of exactly how they can support you. In the UK, there’s no legal requirement for employees to disclose a disability, but if you do choose to discuss it, companies are obligated to make any reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and during your employment. 

If you have a physical disability, an example of reasonable accommodation could be making adjustments to the workplace to allow for wheelchair access, or perhaps doing a remote interview rather than in-person. Or, neurodiverse students may benefit from having any information presented in a more accessible format, from the job description to guidance on interview preparation. If you feel comfortable doing so, it’s always worth speaking to the employer about your accessibility requirements, to give yourself the best chance at success during the interview process. 
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Employment shouldn’t jeopardise your university experience
For all the benefits of seeking employment during your university years, there are some potential pitfalls to also weigh up. Most notably, perhaps, is the possibility for your new job to be detrimental to your academic pursuits and your social life. When the lure of some extra cash is on the table, it can be tempting to pick up an extra shift that cuts into your study time. If you fall into this habit, it’s easy to soon fall behind on your academic responsibilities, ultimately putting more pressure on yourself to catch up further down the line. 

To stop this becoming a problem, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, if your study time is restricted by other commitments, it’s important to make the time you do have with your books as effective as possible. Develop study techniques that work for you and help you to stay focused on the task at hand. On top of this, a key skill to hone is prioritising your time. Planning ahead and dedicating certain time slots to each of your commitments will encourage you to stay on track and help you to more clearly visualise how you’ll be able to balance your work, study and social life.

Speak to your university 
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone when searching for a job. Your university will have services dedicated to helping their students find roles either on campus or in the local area. And, they’ll be able to advise you through the entire process when it comes to reasonable accommodations for disabled jobseekers. 

While every employer is obliged to make the workplace as comfortable as possible for people with disabilities, it’s fair to say that some are better equipped than others. Student services will be able to talk you through your options and will have a good understanding of which local employers are committed to establishing and upholding an inclusive culture. These are often the best places to start your search for a part-time role. 
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Author

Harrison Moore is a freelance digital content creator with a passion for accessible technology and inclusive learning. Having faced his own challenges with accessibility, Harrison understands the unique needs of students, particularly those with disabilities. He advocates for creating a supportive learning environment and promotes tools and strategies that help students succeed both academically and personally.

Image: Olia Gozha @ Unsplash