According to Scope, Cerebral palsy (CP) is not a disease or an illness. It is the description of a physical impairment that affects movement. The movement problems vary from barely noticeable to extremely severe. No two people with CP are the same; it is as individual as people themselves.
‘Cerebral palsy’ includes a variety of conditions. The three main types correspond to injuries to different parts of the brain:
People with CP often have difficulty controlling their movement and facial expressions. This does not necessarily mean that their mental abilities are in any way impaired. Some are of higher than average intelligence, other people with CP have moderate or severe learning difficulties. Most, like most people without CP, are of average intelligence.
A person who has been able to put themselves through a course of Higher Education is likely to be in sufficient control of their symptoms to be able to perform satisfactorily in the workplace. In fact they are likely to show increased levels of determination and motivation.
Remember to find out as much as you can of the implications of the condition and where the candidate's strengths and weaknesses lie - this will be expected and can help you understand any adjustments you may need to make for that specific individual. You could ask the applicant to provide a brief medical letter stating their diagnosis and giving a brief explanation of the ways it is likely to affect them. Everyone is an individual, so it is important to work with the person to provide suitable solutions for each situation.
You may be able to get financial assistance towards any costs of reasonable adjustments from the Access to Work scheme operated by Jobcentre Plus. The Access to Work scheme can also provide grants for physical adjustments to buildings to remove barriers that may exist for employees with restricted mobility.
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