why are employers in Ireland so against people with disabilities?

afterglow

Hi everyone

Just wanted to post this as I really am losing hope at the moment/feeling really low at times, depressed even.
I am applying for jobs all over the place, I don't have a degree but am educated to diploma/level 6 FETAC.
I am noticing that even though I know I could do some jobs, once employers see my disability they just make their minds up on the spot.
Just windering how to make people see that I am a capable person, not just a disability?
Due to being disabled I know my work history isn't what it should be for my age, but like I said, it's a vicious circle, no one will give me a chance because of my disability, hense I don't have experience enough as far as they're concerned, to give me the job.
I want more than anything to work, I know I am a people person, and would enjoy the type of roles I'm applying for. I have no issue whatsoever with starting at the bottom of the ladder and working my way up, but just can't seem to get a break.
Any tips or advice would be appreciated, I just wish so much that people would see beyond the disability and realise that I, and people like me would work so hard if given a chance, and it really is starting to get to me now.

Thanks in advance

Kelly06

Would you think about a career in the public service. You wouldn't come up against these obstacles then. There is even a disability liaison officer in most organisations and staff have to engage in training in how to deal with people with different disabilities. Allowances are also made in the selection process for people needs etc. Well done for staying so motivated in the face of the knock backs. Next time a job in the civil/ public service comes up think about applying.

black & white

Would this crowd be of any help to you ?

http://www.iase.ie/

MrWalsh

Disability aside, the jobs market can be tough and even tougher without a degree at minimum. I know the government are spinning that employment figures are down but they fail to mention the number of people on various unpaid schemes like Jobsbridge.

Actually, although I fundamentally disagree with Jobsbridge as a whole - you sound like you could get something out of it if you are finding it so difficult to get experience. An internship might give you the experience you are currently missing on your CV.

I dont know the nature of your disability or what type of work you are looking for but I do know people of varying disabilities in jobs so there must be some places that dont care about it. I also think its important for you to remember that while you think its the disability holding you back - it probably isnt in all cases, its just a tough jobs market.

Best of luck anyway, hope something turns up for you soon.

jimmycrackcorm

OP, how do you know that you aren't getting jobs because of your disability? If you look through the work and jobs forums you'll find posts by people who aren't getting jobs even being well qualified with no disability.

Meauldsegosha

If you feel you are being discriminated against because of your disability you could contact these people http://www.equality.ie/en/

Rubberchikken

it's possible you're being discriminated against because of the disability but unlikely anyone will ever say it to your face so you'll have to assume no job offer is because of a lack of necessary qualifications.

would you consider going back to college for further qualifications?
also look closely at yur cv/interview techniques.

The_Conductor

What sort of jobs are you going for?
Would your disability affect your ability to do jobs in the field that you're seeking employment in? I.e. might it involve a small amount of manual handling- or dealing with people who your disability might be viewed as an obstacle?

Are you seeking workplace accommodations that other candidates do not require?

The people who have gotten posts you've gone- wholly aside from your disability- what attributes are they bringing to the post that you are not?

Have you considered doing an interview preparation course- there are several good ones out there?

It could be down to technique and the way your portray yourself- and not related to either your education and skillset- or your lack of relevant experience.

What you have to remember in the modern world- is no-one owes you a job. You have to show a prospective employer what you can bring to the job- and not focus on what they can do for you.

Find out- through constructive feedback- how you can improve and sell yourself to prospective employers better- what are they seeking in a prospective employee- and how you can meet these expectations.......

Remember- you are selling yourself to a prospective employer- what are they looking for in an employee- and how can you tick the box....... From the little you've written here- you're focusing on your disability- in a narrow manner- and not looking at the bigger picture.

Stavro Mueller

The OP hasn't been back but from memory, I'm pretty sure she has a visual impairment.

Faith

How do you know it has anything to do with your disability? It's much, much more likely to be a combination of lack of qualifications and a bad job market. You need to upskill, basically. If you were a promising employee, an employer wouldn't be put off by a disability unless it prevents you from doing the job itself. So I think you need to let go of the safety net of blaming your disability, and look at what you can do to make yourself a stronger applicant.

afterglow

Faith wrote: »

How do you know it has anything to do with your disability? It's much, much more likely to be a combination of lack of qualifications and a bad job market. You need to upskill, basically. If you were a promising employee, an employer wouldn't be put off by a disability unless it prevents you from doing the job itself. So I think you need to let go of the safety net of blaming your disability, and look at what you can do to make yourself a stronger applicant.

Hi all
Thanks for replies

I am not using my disability as an excuse, it unfortunately is the way it is.
I do have a visual impairment yes, so would need things like software on computers and things that other people wouldn't need.
I have tried for a career in the civil service before but didn't do well enough at the test thingies.
I am going for customer service type stuff.
Looks like now I may be able to take a job I've been offered in the UK, even if it's just for experience and then come back so perhpas this won't be a problem in the immediate future.
Thanks for all replies.

Stavro Mueller

Maybe you could try to train up in those civil service tests. I'm not expert on these things but I get the impression the various departments and agencies do have quotas of disabled people they have to take on?

iusedtoknow

Have you had your CV looked over?

Seeing as you admitted to having a sight impairment I will speak to that.

When I was hiring someone, one of my reports gave me a CV of a friend to look over for a 3 month contract we had going - it was literally taking details and inputting into our ticketing system for one of our engineers to pick up on. The CV was littered with spelling errors. So I spoke to my report and asked her about it - she then told me that her friend had sight impairment and used dictation and text to talk software on her computer...the whole thing fell into place for me as to why her CV had some issues. Her friend offered to talk to her, we got the issues with her CV taken care of and hired her!

We took her on, and had to make some adjustments to facilitate her disability. For one thing, her text to talk software had to be input into own computer system (not easy to do in the banking sector) - it also wasn't compatible with our ticketing system but we worked out a way for her to get the details in there.

It was a hassle, but it was worth it as she was fantastic with the endusers. Our own company were skeptical but willing to make the needed changes.

Keep plugging away, make sure that your cv is up to scratch and take any experience you can get.

ongarboy

A friend of mine told me they have taken on a person with a visual impairment (no sight whatsoever) in their bank. I couldn't get my head around how someone who could not see would be able to conduct a role the same as all his sighted colleagues (eg reading emails/updating reports/figures etc/even just getting around the office etc) but as my ignorance showed, there are means and ways of accommodating people with disabilities. My friend and his colleagues are blown away by the positivity and enthusiasm of this new guy and he has already made some positive contributions to the office culture there, making some great customer focussed suggestions at team meetings and generally been an asset. My friend and others also have a better appreciation of people with such disabilities which is probably the most positive aspect.

My mate admitted prior to the person starting as to how they were going to handle this new person and would they have to be "babysitting" to an extent but it hasn't turned out like this at all and very few compromises and adjustments have had to be made. Perhaps OP should talk to the National Council for the Blind who engage with such workplaces to see if opportunities are available (I won't mention the specific name of this company but it's one of the big 3 retail banks in Ireland).

afterglow

ongarboy wrote: »

A friend of mine told me they have taken on a person with a visual impairment (no sight whatsoever) in their bank. I couldn't get my head around how someone who could not see would be able to conduct a role the same as all his sighted colleagues (eg reading emails/updating reports/figures etc/even just getting around the office etc) but as my ignorance showed, there are means and ways of accommodating people with disabilities. My friend and his colleagues are blown away by the positivity and enthusiasm of this new guy and he has already made some positive contributions to the office culture there, making some great customer focussed suggestions at team meetings and generally been an asset. My friend and others also have a better appreciation of people with such disabilities which is probably the most positive aspect.

My mate admitted prior to the person starting as to how they were going to handle this new person and would they have to be "babysitting" to an extent but it hasn't turned out like this at all and very few compromises and adjustments have had to be made. Perhaps OP should talk to the National Council for the Blind who engage with such workplaces to see if opportunities are available (I won't mention the specific name of this company but it's one of the big 3 retail banks in Ireland).

Hi.
That is great to know, thanks for posting

Staplor

Could it be assumptions on the part of the companies that you may not be able to carry out the role?

Obviously you are a positive person with a great attitude and desire to work, is it maybe as simple as discussing what your requirements are for getting into these jobs. I've seen huge amounts of ignorance towards disabilities, you could help that by basically teaching the interviewer what you need to do the job you want.