Written evidence from Name Withheld (DEG0049)

I am responding to your call for evidence through Scope, the disability equality charity. I want to share my experiences of the barriers I've faced getting into work and what can be improved to help disabled people in the future.

I've answered two questions below as part of your call for evidence.

What extra support would you benefit from to get into work?

I have borderline personality disorder and an anxiety disorder, and that naturally significantly affects my ability to perform well under pressure in the interview stage. I would like to see an open environment where employers can recognise that the interview process is anxiety provoking and difficult for most people, let alone for someone with a disability, where the stress can actually trigger symptoms. It is quite frightening when your chances of getting the job are so heavily influenced by that one pressurised meeting and that first impression. I have an undergraduate degree and once I’m in a familiar and comfortable environment, my performance is strong and I am capable of tackling novel situations. I just need someone to give me that chance and patience in building up my confidence.

Looking to the future, what does the Government need to improve on to help disabled people get into, stay and progress in work?

The government should support businesses in making sure disabled people can attend appointments to stay well. It is very difficult to attend therapy whilst employed, and the majority of people have to sacrifice their health for their job. Unfortunately, my best friend with the same condition as me did this. She wasn’t able to attend her appointments because on her wage she could not afford to lose those hours, and became so unwell, she lost her job.

The disability employment gap has been stuck close to 30 percent for over a decade, and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has seen disabled people falling out of work faster than non-disabled people. 

Scope wants the Government to deliver on its pledge to tackle the disability employment gap. The Government must use the opportunity of the forthcoming National Strategy for Disabled People to set out plans to close the gap.

I hope that the evidence I have provided, alongside research from Scope will prove useful to the committee.

December 2020