Paralysis is the loss of the power to move a part of the body due to injury or disease. The severity of paralysis varies from person to person, and various medical terms are used to describe which limbs are paralysis and the extent of the loss of movement. The ending plegia signifies loss of power, while paresis refers to a significant weakening in the affected muscles.
The implications of the paralysis will vary from individual. In some cases the paralysis leads to mobility problems, in other cases (with paralysis of the upper body), various technical solutions exist to overcome problems that may exist in the work place.
A growing number of employers have policies that encourage diversity in their workforce, and the Disability Discrimination Act aims to stop discrimination against people because of their disability. It is now illegal to treat someone with a disability less favourably than someone without, and the Act places a requirement on employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to remove any barriers you may encounter because of your disability.
This leaves you with the question of when and how to go about disclosing your disability (you don’t have to disclose, but if you don’t you can’t claim the protection of the DDA). There’s more advice about disclosing in the Resources section, but think about the possible implications of your condition for you, and focus on the positive things. A careers advisor can help you with this.
If you are currently claiming benefits, the Citizens Advice Bureau can help you with a ‘better off’ calculation to compare your current situation with one employment could provide, and advise you on what your entitlements are in the event of a relapse.
There are growing numbers of technological solutions to any perceived barriers to your choice of career. The Access to Work scheme will provide funding for reasonable adjustments to employers, and this includes any adjustments needed for interview or selection procedure. 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.
Rather than portray your disability as a problem, it is important to portray the positive. If you can present a potential employer with ways of making reasonable adjustments to their work place for your specific needs, and a way to pay for them, it will show you as a proactive and solution-centred person.
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