What is the Disability Symbol?

It's a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers based in Great Britain who have agreed to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.

How is the symbol relevant to me as a jobseeker or employee?

There are employers all over Great Britain who use the disability symbol. They range from small to very large organisations in all different types of business. Symbol-using employers make five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled people.

What commitments do employers make?

Employers who use the symbol have agreed with Jobcentre Plus that they will take action on these five commitments:

1. to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities
2. to ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities
3. to make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
4. to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work
5. to annually review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans.

How will I recognise the Disability Symbol?

The Disability Symbol (displayed above) is a circular symbol, reading "Positive about Disabled People" with two ticks.

What vacancies does the Disability Symbol apply to?

All vacancies based in Great Britain (GB) where the employer has been awarded the Disability Symbol. It is only applicable to vacancies where the posts will be located in England, Scotland or Wales. Employers that use the symbol, but are advertising vacancies based outside of GB are not obliged to use the Disability Symbol criteria during recruitment.

What does it mean if I see the Disability Symbol on a job advert?

It means the employer will guarantee to interview you if you meet the minimum criteria for that job. Find out from the employer what the minimum criteria are. That way, you'll have a good idea of whether it's worth applying and what to expect.

Where else might I see the Disability Symbol?

You might see it in the vacancy section of a newspaper, or on a vacancy displayed on a Jobpoint, or on application forms or papers sent to you by an employer.

What if I am employed by the United Residents Housing Group?

This means you'll have the opportunity to say if you feel that more can be done to develop you to enable you to use your abilities fully. The guaranteed interview promise also applies to internal vacancies advertised within your organisation, provided that you meet the minimum criteria for the job.

What happens if I become disabled or there are changes to my disability whilst working for my employer?

If this should happen and there are aspects of your present employment that make it difficult for you to carry on in the same work, as a symbol user your employer will do all they can to make sure you can stay in a job.

How does the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) affect disability symbol using employers?

Symbol using employers are covered by the DDA in the same way as other employers. The action that they take as a symbol user is in addition to any obligations placed on them by the act, and in no way affects your rights as a disabled person under this act.

For more information go to the Direct.gov website.

(updated 28/01/2012)