My barriers to work are real, but just like my disability, they are invisible
I never saw my disability as something that would hold me back, until I started applying for jobs.
One year, 139 job applications sent off, three interviews later, and people still aren’t willing to accommodate my disability needs.
Getting a job is hard at the best of times, but having a disability makes it harder. According to disability charity, Scope, disabled people are four times as likely to be unemployed compared to others in the UK, whilst applying for 60% more jobs, then non-disabled counter parts.
I have Cystic Fibrosis, a life-threatening, chronic illness, which effects my lungs and digestive system. Despite the difficulties I face, my illness is invisible, meaning I don’t look ill.
My needs are often less obvious; flexible working hours, the ability to work from home if needed, and time off for hospital appointments. Companies are willing to miss out on high quality candidates as they don’t have the right support in place for us. I know I am good enough, I have an impressive CV that I maintain despite my CF.
There are obvious benefits in not sharing my disability straight away, employers get to see me for who I am, and they won’t direct discrimination and microaggressions towards me before they have gotten to know me. The invisible nature of my illness grants me a lot of privilege in this regard.
However, I choose to enclose my disability on my CV, so that employers are aware from the start. If my CV is good enough without mentioning my disability, then why is it not good enough when I include it.
It also allows me to assess the way they speak to me during interviews.
If they become cold after I explain the adjustments I may need, I know that this company may not be the right fit for me. That they won’t be able to meet my needs.
I recently had a pre-interview for a deputy editor role. It went well, and they offered me a second interview straight away. The employer asked me if I needed any adjustments to be made as he was aware of my CF. After I requested the adjustments I would need, he ignored all my emails.This has happened to me many times, and it is not acceptable.
I was skilled enough for the job but it was their perceptions of my disability that held me back, they assumed my illness would be a burden. Disabled people rarely have proof of their mistreatment, so employers continue to get away with it.
They assume we are lazy, that we will make excuses, take time off work and won’t work hard. Which is ironic because most the time we work even harder just to prove we are worthy of the job. I have managed to do parts of my degree whilst lying in a hospital bed attached to a drip. I think my work ethic is pretty strong.
Cystic Fibrosis doesn’t hold me back, discrimination does. This is why we need to become more health aware.
Isabelle Jani-Friend is freelance journalist and health writer. Follow her on Twitter @ijanifriend or visit her website isabelledipti.com
