Acute and Chronic pain in the neck and back can be considered a disability in some circumstances where it causes a “substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day to day activities”. Pain can be caused by a range of separate conditions, such as Arthritis and Rheumatism, or by an injury or event (like a slipped disk)
The condition may result in loss of flexibility, and in some cases to mobility problems. It may be necessary for the person to have specific furniture to reduce the pain, or specialist technology to remove specific barriers.
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 Job Centre 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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