Equality and diversity

Challenges in planning a career

Some students and graduates may face additional challenges when planning their career

• Disability and additional requirements
• Age issues
• A criminal record

Prospects website has information on issues relevant to

• Race
• Religion and belief
• Women

The Equality Act (2010) brings together the separate legislation relating to discrimination in the UK. For more information, go to the Government Equalities Office website.

Disabilities and additional requirements

Your health, a disability or other particular requirements may need consideration when making a career choice. Certain jobs may aggravate any difficulties you have, such as using a computer screen if you have epilepsy, or standing for long periods if you have back or leg problems. However, the main barriers tend to be social ones, and they can usually be overcome.

The Equality Act (2010) requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace and offer support, if necessary, to disabled people at work. The following websites give more information:

• The Prospects site has an overview of disability, which includes information on marketing yourself, targeting employers, understanding the law and links to other information sources.
• The OU's Services for disabled students explains the services available to disabled students or those with additional requirements and has a useful list of links.
• SKILL, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, has a large range of relevant information sources. They publish a set of 'Careers Guides' on a range of careers such as Law, Medicine, Nursing and Teaching.
• Disability Alliance provides a range of information and advice to ensure disabled students have specialist support in making decisions about their education, training and employment choices.
• Toolkits for Success is a resource for disabled students looking to gather work experience, find placements or take on voluntary work.
• An employers' organisation, Employers Forum on Disability, is focused on the issue of disability in the workplace.
• Employment Opportunities is a charity that helps those with disabilities find and maintain their employment. There is a job match service that finds vacancies and matches them with appropriate clients.
• Blind in Business is a charity that helps visually impaired students and graduates of all ages into work, through CV coaching, help with filling out application forms, interview practice and other advice and support.
• EmployAbility is a not-for-profit organisation that supports disabled undergraduates and graduates in the transition from education to employment, by providing practical advice and guidance. The website includes a link to their newsletter, full of information and news of relevant events and activities.
• Diversity Milkround is a graduate employment site which lists vacancies with employers who recognise the value of recruiting a diverse workforce.
• The Association of Disabled Professionals provides employment advice and peer support to disabled people. Members also give advice on their particular employment experience.

Age issues

Employers' attitude to mature applicants varies considerably. Some may have very fixed views (positive or negative) and others may be open to persuasion. Legislation stops employers discriminating on the basis of age. There are indications that employers do recognise that employees of all ages have a significant contribution to make to work practices.

A criminal record

If you have a criminal record then you may be concerned about how this might impact on the type of work opportunities available to you and indeed on gaining employment. There are several issues related to disclosure of previous offences, use these websites to help you consider them in more depth.

• The Apex Trust helps people with criminal records to obtain appropriate jobs or self-employment by providing them with the skills needed in the labour market. It also works with employers to break down barriers.
• NACRO is an independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime. A registered charity, it helps ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities to build a better future. For publications, look under News and Resources. Of particular interest might be 'Finding a Job' and 'Applying for work with a criminal record'. They also offer and recommend volunteering opportunities - look for details in 'Search'
• The Criminal Records Bureau is a useful source of information.
• UNLOCK, the National Association of Reformed Offenders, is an independent charity that provides advice on employment issues for people with previous convictions.
• If you have been in prison, you may feel you need to talk to an OU careers adviser about the process of applying for jobs early on in your studies.