COVID-19 We are still open for you, please see the section below on Accessing our services
Graduation to Employment course for autistic students, spring term 2021: Graduation to Employment 2021 (PDF , 4,020kb)
We are here to support you during your time at York with your career planning and skills development. We offer:
Find out more about appointments and how to book a time to talk to us. You can also send questions to the Careers Information Team in Handshake.
We also have:
Find out more about what we offer.
Find out more about disability support at the University of York.
Careers and Placements is located in a single storey building near the centre of Campus West, next to the central car park, with an accessible main entrance. We aim to ensure that all students have access to the resources, services and events on offer.
You can book appointments via Handshake, and can choose whether you prefer a face-to-face or online appointment. Where appropriate, you are welcome to invite your support worker to a careers appointment, and can contact us in advance to book a time to suit everyone.
You can also send us a message on Handshake if you have any questions.
If you need any adjustments to help you access our services, please contact us.
Employers with a positive attitude to disability can be identified from their recruitment information and/or they may use the disability confident logo or ‘two ticks’ symbol, guaranteeing an interview to all candidates with disabilities who fulfil the minimum job requirements. Also look for a company’s equal opportunities policy, and employee support networks. The GOV.UK website has a list of disability confident employers, and the Business Disability Forum lists member organisations.
Find inclusive employers by looking at company websites for information about disabled staff networks, or profiles featuring employees with disabilities. Check recruitment information to see whether they offer materials in alternative formats, or invite requests for adjustments. PwC's information on applying with a disability is a good example of inclusive company information and mentions the kind of adjustments you might request from an employer.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate because of a 'protected characteristic', one of which is disability.
Disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities". The definition is broad and covers a wide range of long-term conditions, see the advice from Disability Rights UK.
The Act covers the areas of recruitment, including applications, tests and interviews, employment, including terms and conditions, training and promotion, and issues such as redundancy, dismissal and grievances.
Employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ which may include adjustments to the recruitment process, adjusting working hours or providing equipment to enable an employee with disabilities to do the job. See the GOV.UK website for more information, including the Access to work scheme.
MyPlus Students Club has information on Requesting Adjustments in the recruitment process. See also the Requesting adjustments section below.
Some organisations run insight events and placements - these tend to be in areas such as the Civil Service, law and finance.
Civil Service: Early Diversity Programme (one week, Easter), Summer Diversity Internship Programme (two months) - apply for these schemes early autumn for the following year.
Commercial law: Explore the Law - Insight event for people with a disability or long term health condition considering a career in commercial law (next event 3 December 2020).
Lawyers with Disabilities Division offers a work experience placement (apply by end April for a one- or two-week summer work placement), and a 10 week internship with the British Council (not available in 2021 due to Covid-19).
Investment banking: Investing in Talent aims to give undergraduates with disabilities and long term health conditions an insight into investment banking careers (next event 27 October 2021).
BBC Extend Hub: new talent recruitment portal for all applicants with a declared disability. Other TV companies, such as Channel 4 and GMTV also offer work placement and employment opportunities.
EmployAbility works with organisations to offer work experience and graduate jobs to candidates with disabilities; check vacancies advertised through Handshake.
Change100 offer summer internships with leading employers (also advertised in Handshake); apply September to January for the following summer, see their video for more information.
There is no obligation to tell an employer about your disability - whether and how to do this is your decision.
You will need to tell an employer if you want them to make recruitment or workplace adjustments. An employer does not need to know your diagnosis or prognosis; they do not need to see any medical information. They just need enough information to identify potential difficulties and make appropriate adjustments. You are not being treated more favourably than other candidates; adjustments make recruitment fair and accessible for all candidates and mean you can compete on equal terms with others.
You may want to think about the pros and cons and implications:
Examples of recruitment adjustments might be:
When you apply for jobs, you will need to evidence your skills. In addition to skills gained from your course and any other activities, you may have developed particular skills in managing your disability, for example:
(AGCAS Disability Task Group, January 2012)
Not sure if you can apply for Universal Credit or not sure you want to?
If you have finished university and you are unemployed you could be eligible. Even if you’ve moved back in with your parents or guardians you could still apply; Universal Credit is not based on what other people in your household earn. For more information about applying for Universal Credit as a recent graduate, read the advice from Save the Student.
Agcas blog for students and graduates with disabilities
Disability Horizons: A 21st century view of disability has an employment section, (as well as blogs, articles and personal stories).
MyPlus Students Club stories and blogs
Life of Pippa blog (UoY graduate) Tips for job hunting as a disabled graduate
Ableism in Academia (Twitter) - disability and ableism in academia
Focussing on strengths and working with dyslexia - blog by Sam Shires, Management consultant with Accenture.
Contact us
Careers and Placements
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (Undergraduate term time)
Telephone: 01904 322685
Email: message the Careers Information Team via HandshakeView our other social media