Do you guys mention that’s you’re blind/visually impaired in your resume? / UK(self.Blind)
submitted by noaimpara
Hi! I am writing my first resume in English right now as I’m preparing to start looking for internships in London (moving there this fall which is well exciting)
This one thing has been bugging me for a bit. Is it appropriate to mention a disability in a resume in the UK?
In France, there’s this thing that recognises skilled disabled people and every major company has to have at least 10% of employess with that certificate that says "skilled disabled worker" so it’s really an advantage and I’ve always put it in my resume.
For context, it was a note in the bottom left corner that said "I am legally recognised as a skilled disabled worker due to my visual impairment, but I am capable of working without any limitations thanks to my personal accessibility tools" (roughly translated from French)
If I were to add it in my British resume it would be something like "Please note : I am visually impaired but am capable of working without any limitations thanks to my personal accessibility tools"
So yeah what do you guys think? Is it even worth mentioning? Is it appropriate or is it a "… no one asked" moment? I just don’t know and it’s kind of stressing me out haha.
hurricjayne18 points3y ago
Personally, I’d leave it out. As much as I hate to say it, mentioning it can quite drastically affect your chances, even if you’re perfectly capable and have experience and proof you can do it. That’s my personal experience anyway.
We do tend to have a declaration though on job applications where it’ll ask you if you consider yourself disabled though, so you can just tick that box, I guess.
noaimpara [OP]6 points3y ago
Thank you so much for the answer and the advice! That’s what I was also afraid of. It was quite a unique position to have it be a privilege and I’m kind of aware it’s really not in the rest of the world I guess I just needed confirmation haha.
hurricjayne8 points3y ago
Yeah, we kind of suck on that front. There’s supposed to be all these protections etc but employers can, in reality, throw out your application because you’re disabled but say to anyone else “They weren’t the best candidate”.
Get the job, then ask for your accommodations... if they fire you after that it’s very illegal 😂
paneulo2 points3y ago
This advice applies perfectly to the US as well.
noaimpara [OP]2 points3y ago
I guess that’s just "normal" which is sad but also just how it is at the moment. Thanks for the advice! Honestly I don’t really need accomodation beyond being allowed to use an electronic magnifier which is why I was even more hesitant to add it.
The_Jigsaw_hugger1 points3y ago
Hi OP my friend is a recruiter (UK Based) and I have had this conversation with them in the past. It’s best to leave it out, whilst I hate to say that and it’s completely wrong and illegal the reality is many employers will straight up bin the application pre-interview as they may deem you too mush “hassle” although their are some good employees and recruiters out there. If you can get to interview and do well they’re more likely to hire and not care about the visual impairment. Accommodations should be asked for after the job offer as someone else mentioned, dismissal after asking for accommodation looks very shady on their part and illegal.
BodachanS14 points3y ago
I leave it out, I mention it at the interview and explain how it affects my ability to work. And reassure them on what can be done by the employer and what I do myself.
noaimpara [OP]5 points3y ago
That’s some good advice thank you! I was wondering when I would mention it if not on the resume.
BodachanS4 points3y ago
The only time I would mention before an interview is if the employer guarantees interviews for disabled applicants.
vwlsmssng3 points3y ago
> if the employer guarantees interviews for disabled applicants
This is the disability confident scheme
https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
At least one job search website lets you filter by companies in this scheme: e.g. https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/
/u/noaimpara may also find useful this info from the RNIB about disclosing disability
Oh I didn’t know about that that’s really great to know thank you!
AmAsabat6 points3y ago
ask at r/legaladviceuk,
You don't have to but should declare you have disability if asked. You'll need to ask for reasonable adjustments during the interview process and almost all public sector employers have a guaranteed interview process so if you meet the minimum requirement for the role they will offer you an interview.
This was the advice I was given, I declared it up front, got he interview and the job.
In conversation afterwards my application wasn't the strongest so I might not have got an interview if I'd not declared it but I smashed the interview and got it.
noaimpara [OP]1 points3y ago
That’s good to know! Is this only for public service jobs?
AmAsabat1 points3y ago
Its mandatory for all public roles and best pratice for others
Envrin6 points3y ago
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I personally do, but I'm self employed and work on a remote contract basis, so your situation may be different. I do have a resume that I send out to potentials though, and the last paragraph within the cover letter explains that I' blind.
Here, I'll even copy and paste that paragraph of my resume / cover ltter:
​
\----------
Full disclosure, I did go blind three years ago (nothing disease related, simply fell and hit my head in the wrong spot), but aside from being unable to do front-end design, this will not cause any issues whatsoever. It's highly unlikely you will even notice I am blind while we are working together, and the only real reason I’m mentioning this is to showcase I’m an honest and upfront individual. Please do not allow this to hinder your judgement and consideration, as not only am I a highly qualified and capable candidate, I am also very dedicated and loyal.
\----------
​
My reasoning is simply they're going to find out I'm blind, now or later, they are going to find out. Even though I work remotely from home as a software developer, they will always find out. Maybe they'll send me a screenshot to illustrate a problem, or maybe ask me to do some design touch ups, or whatever. They're going to find out, so I find it's easier to just to tackle in head on, and tell them up front, because they're going to find out anyway, and at least this way it helps prove you're a straight forward and honest person.
​
Although people won't admit it, and will just tell you you're not trying hard enough, without question there's stigma towards blind people out there. For example, blind and working age Canadians enjoy a 70%+ unemployment rate, so don't tell me there's not stigma out there aainst blind folks. All I can say is keep your head down, stay strong, never stop learning, and always keep fighting. I've been there, and am actually still kind of there right now, but seemed to have finally gotten over that crest. It was a hard battle though, so stay strong.
​
That's how I see it at least, but your mileage may vary.
noaimpara [OP]1 points3y ago
My main concern is exactly that, I don’t want to sound dishonest and for the employer to think I tried to pass as someone I’m not. But in the regard of the advice I’ve recieved from others I think it might be better to leave it out for my chances of even getting an interview.
Thank you for your comment! The message you send potential clients/employers (I don’t know what you’d call them in freelance) says exactly what I’d like to say. I’ll definitely save it thank you!
RJHand2 points3y ago
In my experience, you shouldn't mention anything that isn't a concern or of major importance to working. Blindness is one of those things. Its not something that should drastically effect anything so leave it out and prove that.
noaimpara [OP]2 points3y ago
That’s a pretty good rule of thumb. Not seeing shit is really not my best skill haha
DrillInstructorJan2 points3y ago
This is tricky. If you mention it at the start you will lose opportunities because of it. If you end up having to surprise them with it at the wrong time, same problem. I'm self employed (when there is no virus) and I hit this every couple of weeks. It'll be different for you, applying for a full time job, but this is how it works for me.
As a policy I don't bring it up straight away, on the basis you can tell them anytime but you can't un tell them. I try to talk to people on the phone at least once or twice, then they can get to know you and that you are a person and generally competent and normal. Then I try to create circumstances for it to come up without it being a big deal, so they find out about it in a context that doesn't make them assume I'm useless. We'll be talking and they'll bring up something visual and I'll be like, "oh, I have sight problems, I didn't get what that part of the movie was about" and we'll laugh about it. Of course by "sight problems" I mean "I'm blind as hell and we're going to have to figure that out" but they can find that out by degrees.
In short you don't start the conversation with it. You let them find out by degrees and you don't blurt it out as "I'm blind." There is no easy answer, it's like playing poker with someone else's mental state and their approach to things. It sucks, but you have to play the game.
noaimpara [OP]2 points3y ago
The right moment to bring it up is also something that really does scare me! Like after reading the advice I sure as hell don’t want to have it in my resume but now I’m wondering when’s the right time. Thanks for the advice I’ll definitely take note of that!
ybs900122 points3y ago
What job are you looking for?
noaimpara [OP]1 points3y ago
Tough question. I’m actually looking for interships at the moment and I’ll be looking for real jobs in about a year. For interships, I’ll mostly be applying in marketing, HR, management, digital media related stuff and other things in that very wide scope. Nothing specific but all very corporate.
ybs900121 points3y ago
Oh ok I understand
oncenightvaler1 points3y ago
I don't have it under a separate heading in my resumé but in my cover letter I thoroughly explain I am blind and what technology I use.
Currently I am re-taking Braille course to get Braille certified so I can be a totally blind Braille transcriber & editor.
DaaxD1 points3y ago
I have often heard the advice that CV and application should be punctual, concise and have a clear focus on the relevant education, skills and experience. My low vision is not a required skill, so I'll leave it out.
This is also what I would answer if I'm asked why I didn't mention it in my application: I did not find it relevant to the job description or the hiring process.
People usually don't mention practical matters such as tools and accommodations in their resumes, unless we are talking about skills employer is specifically looking for. Practical matters can be discussed later in the interview.
noaimpara [OP]2 points3y ago
That’s really good advice thank you! And I really resonate with what you said, low vision really isn’t a skill after all so it doesn’t have its place in a resume.
MostlyBlindGamer1 points3y ago
I believe in the UK companies can't legally ask you if you're disabled. At the same time they're mandated to offer any necessary occupations during the recruitment process.
I have never mentioned my visual impairment in a resume and have only mentioned it in interviews when it made a difference, for example it's the reason I can't drive.
noaimpara [OP]2 points3y ago
That makes sense thank you!!
MostlyBlindGamer1 points3y ago
Sure. Bonne chance!
Fen941 points3y ago
TIL about this cool part of French accessibility law! It’s a shame we don’t have an equivalent in the UK, as any disability is often stigmatised. Some companies automatically interview disabled candidates who meet the job requirements, which is our equivalent and is normally built in the application form.
noaimpara [OP]1 points3y ago
It is honestly pretty cool and a decent advantage when you want to work at a big company! I didn’t know that about th UK either and that’s good to know! I was wondering if it was only for public servants or if that’s any job?
Fen941 points3y ago
From personal experience, (and I'm not blind, I'm autistic/ASD) I've noticed it more on local council applications but I think it varies between companies depending on how socially-responsible they are.
smkelly1 points3y ago
As somebody who is VI and also reviews resumes (in the US), I'd leave it off. Let people judge you on the merits of your resume and skillset. I would mention it in the interview when it is possible to have more of a conversation about what it means. It is far too easy for people to dismiss a resume, and this just adds more doubt for a reviewer. We can argue whether it should, but that is a separate conversation.
Especially at smaller jobs, I'd also be careful asserting that you have all the tools you need to do the job. If something changes down the road while you're working, you may find that you need new tools. You don't necessarily want to set an expectation th at the employer will never have to find ways to accommodate.
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