Asking for reasonable adjustments - Careers Service

It is a personal decision, but if you are asked directly during the application process whether you have a disability or health condition, and give false information, you could be liable for dismissal should your employer find out later on.

You're also obliged to share information about a disability if it has any health and safety implications for yourself or your colleagues.

There are several benefits of sharing information about a disability:

you are covered by the Equality Act 2010
employers must make any reasonable adjustments you request at interview or in the workplace
you can control how the employer finds out about your disability and their impression of it
you may be eligible for help from the Access to Work scheme

If you would like to discuss whether you should share information about a disability with a prospective employer, come in and speak to a careers consultant. Free advice is also available from EmployAbility.

Often the best time to share this information is in a covering letter or application form. This gives you an opportunity to explain any potential implications of your disability. It may also aid your application to highlight specialist skills and qualities you have acquired and developed as a result of your disability.

Sharing information about a disability at interview can sometimes take the employer by surprise and means that they would be unlikely to be able to make reasonable adjustments for you at interview.

Advice for sharing disability information

These websites offer advice on when and how to share information about a disability:

gov.uk - information about recruitment questions in relation to health and disability
Prospects: CVs and cover letters - includes an example of a Cover Letter Disclosing a Disability (PDF: 82KB)
EmployAbility - offers advice and also opportunities for d/Deaf, disabled and dyslexic students and graduates

Careers Service online presentations

Watch the Careers Service's range of online presentations on sharing information about a disability with an employer, with insights from Careers Service staff, Newcastle University students and a graduate recruiter.

To view the presentation below, 'Do I need to share information about my disability with an emlployer?', with subtitles, click the subtitle/closed caption button in the player.

Our other videos in the series cover the following:

Get Ready to Graduate: Neurodiversity - Breaking Down Invisible Barriers

EmployAbility joined us in May 2021 to discuss overcoming the invisible barriers which can discourage students with neurodiversity, mental health conditions, and other disabilities, from getting the careers they deserve. This was part of our Get Ready to Graduate Pathway, aimed at final year students and graduates.

Watch the recording [60:17] to discover what these barriers are and how to navigate them. To view the presentation with subtitles, click the subtitle/closed caption button in the player.

Additional resources

Our Next Generation Inclusive University partnership with EmployAbility

As well as the services you can get from the Careers Service, we are proud to have a Next Generation Inclusive University partnership with EmployAbility.

If you have a neurodivergent condition, mental health condition or another disability, EmployAbility can provide you with individualised advice and support about adjustments for recruitment and the workplace and information about your rights. They can also support you with your application.

The EmployAbility team will also advocate for you with an employer to ensure you receive the adjustments you need, taking any stress and anxiety out of the process.

They also run first year, internship and graduate programmes, as well as vacation schemes and training contract opportunities with inclusive employer partners. You can also benefit from their employer insight days, networking events and skills workshops to maximise your chances of success.

Watch this video to find out more about our partnership with EmployAbillity, and the advice and support available to you.

If you haven't already, please register with EmployAbility to access free support and advice or email info@employ-ability.org.uk.

We will be running a number of events with EmployAbility throughout the year. These will be your opportunity to learn more and ask EmployAbility any questions you may have.

More resources

My Plus Students' Club - provides information to prepare for graduate job applications and the recruitment process. It also lists graduate recruiters who are 'great with disability', the support they offer, and the opportunities they are recruiting for
MyPlus Professionals jobs board - job opportunities with disability confident employers. Advertises both direct entry and roles for professionals/experienced hires.
GOV.UK - list of employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme - the scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.
Business Disability Forum - includes a list of positive employers who are members of the forum
Disability Rights UK - offer support to d/Deaf or disabled students studying in England
Securing work experience as a disabled candidate: our how-to guide - Guardian Careers article
Disability Jobsite - vacancies site, with advice for job seekers and employers
Leonard Cheshire Disability - internship and professional development programme for talented students and recent graduates with disabilities, through Change 100.
Mind - information on how to be mentally healthy at work
Shaw Trust - supports people with a disability or health condition to source employment
AGCAS - Psychometric tests, a guide for disabled candidates
targetjobs article - Should you disclose a disability when applying for a graduate job?