Disclosure
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Well done! Doing things like that can be really nerve-wracking as you're often thinking of a 101 things that might happen (mostly negative). It's great that the agency was so understanding and supportive. Good luck in the job search, hopefully it'll help you find something that's particularly suitable for you.
I just applied for a temporary jobat university for the summer holiday. I told them all about my past and being diagnosed with dyspraxia. I got a snotty letter back telling me that due to an overwhelming number of applications and a limited number of post that i would not be short listed for the job, and that it was based on the information that i provided them on my application. Now, i dont want ot brag but i've never failed to get an interview before, especially for a stupid £6.59 an hour job. I told my mentor who works for the learning development unit at the university and she told me that she never discloses her dyslexia, and she has witnessed first hand how much discrimination there is in university towards people with our problems. Therefore, she thought that i could have been rejected because of my doisclosure. Personally i'm not convinced and if i was to apply agian i would still disclose, if i could put a positive slant on it and it felt appropriate.
Sorry to hear bout your bad experience nick 
Maybe disclosure is easier when you're applying for jobs rather than uni? Or maybe it depends on who knows and how they react?
I signed up to another agency today and told them. I was feeling confident after the way the other agency reacted. This agency wanted me to fill out one of those medical questionnaires, and I thought it best to say on there in case I got offered a job I wasn't comfortable with like I did on Friday.
So I wrote it on the form, and the woman who interviewed me looked at the form a couple of times but didn't mention a thing, in fact she's confident I'll get the job I wanted from there, if not they said they can find me something else, so it obviously didn't matter to them!
Maybe disclosure is easier when you're applying for jobs rather than uni? Or maybe it depends on who knows and how they react?
I signed up to another agency today and told them. I was feeling confident after the way the other agency reacted. This agency wanted me to fill out one of those medical questionnaires, and I thought it best to say on there in case I got offered a job I wasn't comfortable with like I did on Friday.
So I wrote it on the form, and the woman who interviewed me looked at the form a couple of times but didn't mention a thing, in fact she's confident I'll get the job I wanted from there, if not they said they can find me something else, so it obviously didn't matter to them!
I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never ever gonna keep me down 
Nick - I hope your rejection wasn't due to your dyspraxia. Although I've normally be quite successful at getting interviews companies can be fickle and bizarre when it comes to their selection criteria, so try not to read too much into it and hopefully you'll get a more positive response next time.
Donna - by the sounds of it you're disclosing your dyspraxia particularly on the off-chance that you get a job that later proves unsuitable due to circumstances relating to the job that weren't apparent at the interview stage. I think this is a really good idea and it'll be interesting to follow your progress with your job hunting so please keep us posted!
Donna - by the sounds of it you're disclosing your dyspraxia particularly on the off-chance that you get a job that later proves unsuitable due to circumstances relating to the job that weren't apparent at the interview stage. I think this is a really good idea and it'll be interesting to follow your progress with your job hunting so please keep us posted!
I hope that my rejection was not due to my dyspraxia, as well. I had taken the view that it was more likely due to the fact that my application was sent towards the end of the deadline and after most of the interviews had taken place. however, the reason i posted my experience was to interject the views of my mentor and friend, who has experience of working in the area of disabilities, in a higher education facilities that should be more clued in on these issues. her response to my predicament surprised me but i have to bow to her experence and felt that they were worth posting in this forum.
*super cynical mode*nick wrote:I hope that my rejection was not due to my dyspraxia, as well. I had taken the view that it was more likely due to the fact that my application was sent towards the end of the deadline and after most of the interviews had taken place. however, the reason i posted my experience was to interject the views of my mentor and friend, who has experience of working in the area of disabilities, in a higher education facilities that should be more clued in on these issues. her response to my predicament surprised me but i have to bow to her experence and felt that they were worth posting in this forum.
I don't think they discriminate against the dyspraxia specifically. I think it is more that if you know you are disabled then that usually indicates that you wont be a push-around and you know your rights ( eg you wont do a 6 hour day without the legally entitled 20 min break ), which seems to scare employers. Again, I don't think is a conscious thing, and I think this happens more in low-end jobs than it does in higher ones.
I declared it in a McDonalds interview and then found out a day later that "my availability" wasn't suitable. I declared it on my CV for another job and tried to emphasise the positive aspects there and in my interview and I didn't get the job ( although I feel my appearance was the problem there because all the people I've seen working in that store are no higher than a size 10 ). I declared it to my university when applying for a summer job ( similiar to nick's ) and got a standard rejection letter.
It may be that the lower the type of job the less intelligence they use when selecting the person for the job, whereas for higher level jobs companies are looking for brightness, they're willing to listen in order to get your talent.
I really don not think that my friend is super cynical. She is a proffesional within the feild of specific learning difficulties and knows a lot more on that subject then most lectures and even educational psychologist because she deals with it on a daily basis.
she told me one story, where a staff member from accomadation services came to her department and gave a big speech about diversity and how her department supported students with special needs. however, the following day my friend contacted her about a student she was supporting who had minor mental health issues, simple depression and anxiety, the same woman who had given the diversity speech immediately said, without any hesitation or thought of enquiry into the students circumstances, that student accomodation was not suitable. what one can conclude from this was that university departments out side of the specific dept dealing with disabilities, only play lip service to the ethos of diverstiy and equal opportunity. furhtermore, unless people are directly involved in special needs such as dyspraxia, htey are liable to base their decisions on misunderstanding and ignorance, breeding grounds for prejudice no matter how innocent and naieve a form that they might take.
she told me one story, where a staff member from accomadation services came to her department and gave a big speech about diversity and how her department supported students with special needs. however, the following day my friend contacted her about a student she was supporting who had minor mental health issues, simple depression and anxiety, the same woman who had given the diversity speech immediately said, without any hesitation or thought of enquiry into the students circumstances, that student accomodation was not suitable. what one can conclude from this was that university departments out side of the specific dept dealing with disabilities, only play lip service to the ethos of diverstiy and equal opportunity. furhtermore, unless people are directly involved in special needs such as dyspraxia, htey are liable to base their decisions on misunderstanding and ignorance, breeding grounds for prejudice no matter how innocent and naieve a form that they might take.
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robyn
Iv had positive experiences of disclosing dyspraxia to employer, but it was totally disreguarded at uni. I only got diagnosed part way through my 3rd year, the student support services were v nice, but totally usless cause they didnt know what it meant. All my lecturers were v ignorant though, they were supposed to give me their lecture notes before the lecture, they never did, even when the disibility coordinator hassled them, they were supposed to set me essay questions instead of the regualar tutorial participation grade and the presentations expected of me (as it was a new diagnosis I was v shelled shocked and over anxious, which made it impossible for me to string a sentance together in class) one lecturer refused, the other gave me the question 3 days before the due date, I got asigned a proof reader, who spelt worse than I did, and still my lecturers down graded my essays based on presentation and I had to personally explain before the gave me the grades back, and the guy said that as far as he was conserned 'dyspraxia or whatever your new excuse is' was no reason to get a free ride. The department office we equally as rude to me, so I def think that unis are v poor places to get any recognition for dyspraxia and I would def think they would prefer to choose a 'non-disabled person'.
nick I'm sorry they rejected your application - your mentor it uni sounds like she has alot of experience with these things I bet it's good to have her knowledge to draw on 
well done for being brave Donnaf your employment agency sounds excellent - what's it called?
do our experiences with disclosure vary with the understanding and compassion ( and possibly intellegence) of the people we disclose too?? almost certainly. I'm sotrry your uni wasn't helpful robyn - I'm at Reading and for the most part they have been great - really nice and gentle with terrified stammering me
but some lectureres.. well I think I've had a rant about them here somewhere.
I do wonder what sort of things might help in an office - anyne works in one and have any tips? cos I never have
well done for being brave Donnaf your employment agency sounds excellent - what's it called?
do our experiences with disclosure vary with the understanding and compassion ( and possibly intellegence) of the people we disclose too?? almost certainly. I'm sotrry your uni wasn't helpful robyn - I'm at Reading and for the most part they have been great - really nice and gentle with terrified stammering me
but some lectureres.. well I think I've had a rant about them here somewhere.I do wonder what sort of things might help in an office - anyne works in one and have any tips? cos I never have
I have disclose every time I have applied for a job on the application form
I have a mixture of responses from companies I have job interviews for, employment agencies staff (some postive and some negative)
Some of the employment agencies I have been too - the staff were understanding and the ones who are interested in me have managed to fixed me up with a some data inputting work (even though I have never be took on by a company - probably due to them not fully understanding dyspraxia) and the things I have find difficult have makes it more difficult for them to find me work sometimes
Staff at a few agencies, have showed some ingorance towards me over my disability and probably thought I was making a big deal out of nothing - (about my concerns) - one or two people attiudes and understanding have probably have cost me being given a contact by the company after the agency time expired
The companies I have sent to via the employment, the staff have showed different responses - one or two colleagues at nearly every company apart from one and in one case nearly 100% of the team have been shown and been quite ignorant towards me (because of my speech, communcation and my diffculties and their attitude towards me makes them think their can be more overpowering because they probably know I would do not anything about it
I have a mixture of responses from companies I have job interviews for, employment agencies staff (some postive and some negative)
Some of the employment agencies I have been too - the staff were understanding and the ones who are interested in me have managed to fixed me up with a some data inputting work (even though I have never be took on by a company - probably due to them not fully understanding dyspraxia) and the things I have find difficult have makes it more difficult for them to find me work sometimes
Staff at a few agencies, have showed some ingorance towards me over my disability and probably thought I was making a big deal out of nothing - (about my concerns) - one or two people attiudes and understanding have probably have cost me being given a contact by the company after the agency time expired
The companies I have sent to via the employment, the staff have showed different responses - one or two colleagues at nearly every company apart from one and in one case nearly 100% of the team have been shown and been quite ignorant towards me (because of my speech, communcation and my diffculties and their attitude towards me makes them think their can be more overpowering because they probably know I would do not anything about it
Last edited by Philip on Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:32 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Ruth - Hiya! The first employment agency I disclosed to is called Jobsworth. They really were good to me and called me yesterday in relation to another potential job, and they explained everything to me in an unpatronising way (and they job they came up with is perfect)
The other agency is called Randstad. I disclosed to them last week but we had an arguement over the phone 3 days later so I never wanna hear from them again. Stay away from Randstad ppl.
It is a pretty difficultt thing to do, I felt really weird after cos its something I don't tell many people.
Despite what happened with Randstad, I feel much more confident in telling people now, I put it on an application form yesterday cos u get guaranteed interview if u have a disability and fit their minimum criteria!
Ps...I work in an office nowadays Ruth (When I get another job anyway)
My biggest problem in an office is walking one way n someone else is walking the opposite way...I hate that, I lose all coordination n don't have a clue which way to walk. I regularly slam drawers, doors, kick things, walk into tables etc...I normally deal with walking into things by showing no reaction, thats one of my biggest defenses, that way people don't take any notice. If I do something so obvious that I think people will notice n think I'm in a mood, I just laugh, call myself clumsy, and say "I aint in a mood people" lol. Other than that I find offices pretty good, as long as no bosses hover over me!
The other agency is called Randstad. I disclosed to them last week but we had an arguement over the phone 3 days later so I never wanna hear from them again. Stay away from Randstad ppl.
It is a pretty difficultt thing to do, I felt really weird after cos its something I don't tell many people.
Despite what happened with Randstad, I feel much more confident in telling people now, I put it on an application form yesterday cos u get guaranteed interview if u have a disability and fit their minimum criteria!
Ps...I work in an office nowadays Ruth (When I get another job anyway)
My biggest problem in an office is walking one way n someone else is walking the opposite way...I hate that, I lose all coordination n don't have a clue which way to walk. I regularly slam drawers, doors, kick things, walk into tables etc...I normally deal with walking into things by showing no reaction, thats one of my biggest defenses, that way people don't take any notice. If I do something so obvious that I think people will notice n think I'm in a mood, I just laugh, call myself clumsy, and say "I aint in a mood people" lol. Other than that I find offices pretty good, as long as no bosses hover over me!
Last edited by donnaf on Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never ever gonna keep me down
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I have been working in a restuarant for the last 31/2 weeks and i am really struggling with it, i get told off alot ! i think i should really explain about being dyspraxic but then could they sack me as i didnt tell them the truth (being open about my dyspraxia) at the interview ..don't know how to do quotes so first paragraph is a quote from nick
I did hear one of the staff say that they get sued all the time for not providing decent services for students with disabilities.
In my experience as a member of staff I feel the same thing has applied . they pay lip service to helping me. which stresses me out more because of the way they go about it. It makes me feel emberassed and targetted . I'm thinking of speaking to my union about it. It's worse because it's supposedly all in the name of helping me.
I guess I should be grateful they provided me with Readable which is software which changes the colours of your screen but I can't really use it anyway as the person who was supposed to train me had never used the progamme before
I think disclosure is a difficult one and I know companies do discriminate . even a friend of mine(before he knew about my disability) said that he wouldn't employ a dyslexic because he thought they'd only do half the job when there's lots of people who aren't disabled he could give a job to.
He's honoustly a really decent nice person and very considerate of my disability but I guess a lot of people think in that way
It's not only outside the dept dealing with disabilities unfortunatly I work closely with the disability unit and have found there to be a lot of prejudice even with some of the members of staff who really should know better. Off course I can't name the university I'm working but I'm having problems with being bullied by the head of disabilities and have heard her and her staff say quite a few horrible things although since they found out about my dyspraxia off course they haven't been as vocal.What one can conclude from this was that university departments out side of the specific dept dealing with disabilities, only play lip service to the ethos of diverstiy and equal opportunity. furhtermore, unless people are directly involved in special needs such as dyspraxia, htey are liable to base their decisions on misunderstanding and ignorance, breeding grounds for prejudice no matter how innocent and naieve a form that they might take.
I did hear one of the staff say that they get sued all the time for not providing decent services for students with disabilities.
In my experience as a member of staff I feel the same thing has applied . they pay lip service to helping me. which stresses me out more because of the way they go about it. It makes me feel emberassed and targetted . I'm thinking of speaking to my union about it. It's worse because it's supposedly all in the name of helping me.
I guess I should be grateful they provided me with Readable which is software which changes the colours of your screen but I can't really use it anyway as the person who was supposed to train me had never used the progamme before
I think disclosure is a difficult one and I know companies do discriminate . even a friend of mine(before he knew about my disability) said that he wouldn't employ a dyslexic because he thought they'd only do half the job when there's lots of people who aren't disabled he could give a job to.
He's honoustly a really decent nice person and very considerate of my disability but I guess a lot of people think in that way
Regardless of what the Disability Discrimination Act may say I suspect that a good many companies opt regardless for the easiest ride for themselves when employing new staff. That is to say they'll find those who have done as similar as job to the one required as possible, and it doesn't require much stretch of an imagination to see that they'd be put off by a potential employee who requires special assistance. I don't have any examples of this happening but it seems a logical course for overworked employers to take.