Here the Salford Star prints a disabled woman's experiences in her own words, and anonymously....
"If you are disabled you are entitled the support and help you need getting in paid work. Wrong. Here are my experiences from the past year…
Salford University
As a graduate, you can get lifelong careers support and advice. However, once you tell them you are disabled, for me this stopped. I was even taken off the job alerts once they found out, which I had added myself to, not being told about it otherwise. I went through the complaints system only to be told very politely, 'just keep doing what you are doing' (but many organisations take advantage of long-term volunteers that they could probably afford to employ).
Later, through GMCA, my MP and Jobcentreplus, I got a different complaints response from the University, now with lots of information and resources I did not previously have. I paid £3,500 for my university degree.
Social Housing Landlord
For over a year the employment service at my landlord repeatedly ignored me and my emails. Finally, after complaining, I got a new support worker but the only help I received was to change my already professionally checked CV to one that started with very detailed information about my disability instead...
'Unfortunately I became unwell in my early 20s with glandular fever and this has impacted on my ability to undertake full-time work as I need a rest period during the day. I am claiming Employment Support Allowance and am looking for work that is under 16 hours. Therefore I am looking for work that isn't too physically demanding where I can utilise my skills and abilities'... Written by a Careers Advisor. Instead of stressing that I am looking for part-time work, have a Business Degree etc.
National Careers Service
Two booked phone appointments never rang. An advisor at a Growth Company Jobs Fair never contacted me as promised. The webchat kept saying 'just look at our website' as well as saying I could not speak to another advisor. Complaint afterwards never responded to.
Search Salford
Most people recommend or refer to Search Salford. However, they have never responded to emails, for many months. Therefore, I went down to the office voluntarily ad hoc instead. Just told comments like 'you have gotten comfortable on benefits' and how everyone over 40 should semi-retire 4 days, over 50s 3 days etc. Later told about a jobs fair but when asked how to find out about these things, I was told it is a case of being in this office on the right day at the right time – do you have a mailing list or social media? – 'you can check Twitter'. Their Twitter @SEARCHSalford has not been updated since Jan 2018. It is now October 2019.
Working Well, Growth Company
Told to do a placement instead of doing my existing long-term voluntary work. I ended it, only to be told there are no placements and are unlikely to be any, with no real effort it seems to find one.
Other than that, I have been left with no information, support or updates for months – only finding things out like Job Fairs and Job Searching days when I finally complain copying in GMCA, Jobcentreplus and Paul Dennett Salford City Mayor.
When I do get responses, they are inconsistent, changing what was said one day, to something else, or being told things happened or were said that did not e.g. 'did you say you wanted job alerts and information?'... 'You said you didn't want to come in didn't you?'
Finally, after complaining again with GMCA etc, I am sent three jobs in one email which are over the amount of hours I can physically do and my benefits, and told I have to do two full days. This would make me ill as it is my main physical disability.
Apart from that, I have done everything myself, adding myself to online sites, LinkedIn and doing my CV. I was told, 'that's a good idea, I didn't think of that'.
Aspire, Growth Company
As an administrator with a degree and many other qualifications, I spoke to Aspire at a Growth Company job fair. They were interested and told me to send them my CV for part-time work. As soon as they found out I have a disability (without giving any more info or details as I always try and hide), they said they wouldn't register me as they didn't have part-time jobs.
They did not email me or respond to my email but instead, later, told Working Well they were going to register me but want to cut down my amount of travel (this is not true and the Growth Company also reimburse travel costs). Finally, why wasn't Aspire mentioned to me or contacted automatically as an administrator who is under Working Well, the Growth Company?
Mainstream Recruitment Agencies
Interested in CV and have part-time, until you say you are disabled (which I again I always try and hide details, just 'part-time disabled, split hours over 2 or more days').
Other national Charities
Don't cover Salford and some mainly do pre-work e.g. independent living.
A high amount of people with different disabilities say they feel in crisis, or go on to commit suicide. Luckily I have always been in the ESA Support Group (or Incapacity Benefit). If, like many others, I was wrongly made to go in the Work Related Group or Universal Credit, what would my life be like, surrounded by all these organisations paid huge amounts of money to help, but abusive, and failing massively?"
The Salford Star hasn't asked for comments from those organisations she names, as it is an opinion piece, but if they would like to respond either email info@salfordstar.com or use the comments box below...
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