Ways to Overcome Employment Barriers When You Struggle with Physical Health

Your physical and mental health levels could be ones you’re born with or ones that develop over time. They both matter. How can you boost your employment potential when you struggle with physical health?

Physical Disability and you

Disability is a big word that covers a LOT of ground. One disability is not like another and grouping disabilities together does not always help. Sometimes, though, it can be useful to think about what support you can get with your career, whatever kind of disability you have.

Support for young people with disabilities

Here is a list of organisations and schemes supporting young people with physical disabilities in the UK. Make sure you’re getting any extra support you need to achieve your life and work goals.

Disability and getting a job

Are you looking for a job? Are you soon to leave school, college or university – or maybe you’ve recently left? Do you have a disability? If so, check out the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. They offer advice and support on:

• Self-reflection
• Matching yourself with possible jobs
• Legislation and your rights
• To disclose or not to disclose your disability?
• Finding jobs to apply for
• Marketing yourself and closing the deal
• CVs and covering letters
• Useful contacts, resources and jobs sites

Autism and Asperger’s

The Autism Guide has a wealth of resources that cover the basics of getting a job.

You may be asking yourself if you should declare you have Autism/Asperger’s when applying for jobs. There is no clear right or wrong answer. Use your CV to describe your best aspects and the positive things you can bring to the role.

Some progressive and youth-friendly employers might help to make your application process more fair (by example, by changing the interview format) if you disclose your Autism/Asperger’s.

Ella is 21 and unemployed with Asperger’s. She offers job hunting advice for you and advice for employers.

Read Ella’s story

Learning difficulties

If you are a young person with any kind of learning disability or know someone who is, these UK resources and organisations can help with life, study and work.

From Remploy to Love Life from the NSPCC, organisations want to help you boost your independence, stay safe, and navigate the world around you to achieve your goals.