Information for students who are dyslexic, deaf or who have a disability

• Introduction
• Materials in alternative formats
• Careers appointments
• Careers events
• Information
• Employers
• Other sources of support and advice
• Additional information

Introduction

If you are dyslexic, deaf or have a disability, the Careers Service offers various facilities which may help you with your career planning. Please let us know how we can support you so that we can ensure that our services are accessible. We can offer:

• Materials in alternative formats – please ask for more information.
• Appointments with Careers Advisers, skills sessions – support in making careers choices, applying for further study / work and the selection process.
• Information on issues such as disclosing a disability or dyslexia, legislation and organisations who can assist with funding for equipment and adaptations for work.
• Print and online information about individual employers and occupational areas.
• For dyslexic students: coloured plastic overlays to 'stabilise' print on the page are available for use in the Careers Service.
• Assitive Technology resources include:
• Texthelp Read and Write software – a word-processing package with specific extra help for dyslexic students
• Zoomtext software – enlarges print on screen to a much greater extent
• Inspiration (mind mapping software)

The Careers Service is based on Tyndall Avenue. Please contact us if you have any special requirements or need assistance. Telephone: 0117 9288221 e-mail: careers-service@bristol.ac.uk

Materials in alternative formats

Some Careers Service resources are available on request in alternative formats – please ask at the Resources Help Desk:

• Large print versions of career booklets and other paper resources can be photocopied onto A3 at no additional cost (same price as A4 version)
• Assessment centre video available with subtitles
• Large print and braille versions of the Saville & Holdsworth tests can be ordered from Saville & Holdsworth
• A number of careers titles can be obtained on sale or loan in Braille or tape format from the RNIB

The Arts and Social Sciences Library has an Assistive Technology room for dyslexic and visually impaired users. Contact Mary Lockwood, Library Disability Co-ordinator and/or consult their Information for disabled users web folder. In brief terms, facilities include:

For dyslexic users:

• Texthelp Read and Write – a word-processing package with specific extra help for dyslexics (eg. for writing a CV)
• Coloured plastic overlays for use with printed literature to assist with reading

For visually impaired users:

• Large PC monitor (19” screen) – helpful for lower levels of sight problems (will help you to view Careers Service website)
• Zoomtext – enlarges print on screen to a much greater extent
• Kurzweil 1000/Jaws – text to speech programs (enables use of Internet for visually impaired users)
• CCTV scanner – any document can be enlarged onto a monitor
• Some careers reference materials may be loaned for an agreed time to be used with this equipment (note: we can only offer this to visually impaired students)

For more information about registering your dyslexia/disability, contact the Access Unit. They can arrange for you to be tested for dyslexia and will assess your eligibility for a disabled students allowance, which can include funding for computer equipment and software for dyslexic, deaf and disabled students. They can also arrange study skills support.

Careers appointments

• Apointments with Careers Advisers last for 15 minutes. You are welcome to see a Careers Adviser as many times as you wish in one of these sessions. If you have a disability you may be able to request a longer appointment at the time of booking – please ask.
• You can discuss issues, such as whether to disclose your disability or dyslexia in confidence with a Careers Adviser.

Careers events

• When organising courses, skills sessions or psychometric tests, the Careers Service tries to hold them in physically accessible venues.
• You can reserve a place on skills sessions, tests, practice interviews and employer presentations via the Events page on the Careers Service website
• Please let us know in advance if you have any special requirements so that we can ensure that you can access and participate in these events. Please give us at least 2 weeks notice if you require a BSL interpreter and please note that this can only be offered subject to interpreter availability.

Information

• The Careers Service has a wide range of information on disability issues. The ORANGE files contain material specific to students who are dyslexic, deaf or who have a disability e.g. information about specialist organisations who offer advice, support and information about job seeking, disclosure and your rights under the new legislation. Look in the ORANGE File 3c, or on the website’s ‘Focus On’ section
• Please ask information staff if you can’t find anything
• Occupational information is kept in the GREEN section. Any occupation-specific information is held in relevant occupational files where available.
• Let us know if you are unable to access the Careers Service.

Employers

• Employer files are BLUE and located in the Careers Service.
• The Employers’ Forum on Disability is the UK’s national employers’ organisation focused on disability. It has over 360 members who are working to make it easier for employers to recruit and retain employees who have a disability. More information about employers who belong to this group can be found on the Employers’ Forum on Disability website

Other sources of support and advice

The Access to Work Scheme
Access to Work is a government scheme designed to provide practical help to overcome barriers that disabled people may experience in the work place. The government will pay for or make a substantial contribution towards the costs of additional support needed as the result of disability. This could include:

• Adaptations to premises and equipment and special aids to employment
• Support workers - for example, a reader for a person with a sight disability
• Travel to work expenses - eg. a taxi to work if you are unable to use public transport
• Communication support at interviews

If you are beginning your first job you can claim 100% of identified costs.

The scheme is managed by the Disability Advisory Service based at your local Jobcentre. Contact your Disability Employment Adviser for more information (see below). The DEA will make an appointment to visit you in your potential work environment to appraise your needs.

Disability Employment Advisers
Based in Jobcentres, DEAs give valuable access to sources of information and support concerning all aspects of employment. DEAs also have links with local employers. They can advise on subjects such as:

• Financial help for employers who recruit or want to retain disabled people
• Individual assessment for existing or potential employees
• Equipment and ergonomics in the work place
• Accessibility of premises

Additional information

• Dyslexic students
• Useful links - careers and disability related websites.
• Get that Job - Excellent advice from Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. Covers: job seeking, applications, legislation and disclosure.
• UseMyAbility - useful website offering practical advice to help students develop their employability skills.