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Dawn and colleagues, Our application form currently asks 'Do you have a disability? Yes/No' we do not have a tear-off section, although we may well reconsider this approach. We have a supporting text in our Further Particulars, which states: "Equal Opportunities Policy Statement The University welcomes applications from all sections of the community including candidates with a disability. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines disability as: ‘A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse affect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities.’ You no longer have to be registered disabled. You may obtain further information from Disability on the Agenda, telephone 0345 622633. Applications The Employment Record Form and job details are available on tape or in large print. To request a copy please contact the Human Resources Section. If you have a disability which prevents you from completing the documentation, please contact the Human Resources Section to discuss other acceptable methods of application. Arrangements for interview Please indicate on a separate sheet any special arrangements or adjustments we may need to make to our recruitment procedures to ensure that you are not placed at a disadvantage because of your disability, for example the provision of an accessible interview location, a sign-language interpreter or supportive person, disabled car parking space etc. Arrangements if appointed It would also be helpful to us if you are able to indicate what adjustments we may need to consider to enable you to do the job, if you are appointed. General If you would like an informal discussion to consider any adjustments or special arrangements that may need to be made in relation to your application or appointment please do not hesitate to contact Richard Burrow, Assistant Director - Services, via the contact details for this vacancy. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. The Vice-Chancellor oversees the effective operation of the policy and the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of it rests with the Director of Human Resources. All new employees are provided with a copy of the Policy on appointment. Further copies may be obtained from the Human Resources Section of the Registrar's Office." Finally, we have a very low level of reported disability among our staff - which significantly understates the true incidence. We are intending to undertake a survey, and I am currently considering what words to use to encourage staff to report a disability where it is appropriate. I would like then to capture basic information about the type of disability (mobility, visual, etc.) to support health and safety planning & staff training & development. But I appreciate that it is a very sensitive topic. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions/experience they would be willing to share? Richard Burrow Assistant Director of Human Resources University of Newcastle tel: 0191 222 6306 fax: 0191 222 8634 > -----Original Message----- > From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] > Sent: 16 August 2002 10:16 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Application forms > > > Dear colleagues > > I am interested in finding out what information other > employers/universities > are asking disabled applicants (for staff vacancies) to give on their > application forms. Here at the Open University we ask the following: > > 'The Open University welcomes applications from disabled people and > information about disability is only requested on the application form in > order that appropriate arrangements for an interview can be mae if > necessary. > Do you consider yourself disabled? Yes/No > If you consider yourself disabled, please give details of any requirements > for interview arrangements' > > We also have a 'tear off' monitoring form which asks the question 'Do you > consider yourself disabled? Yes/No' > > I am particularly interested to know if anyone is including any > information > about the definition of disability under the DDA. > > Your help would be much appreciated. > > Regards > Dawn Steel, Personnel Officer (Directorate Services), The Open University >