The University of Hertfordshire is a two-tick user.  We have adapted our application form to give the applicant the opportunity of opting in to the guaranteed interview scheme, assuming they meet the minimum criteria.   We find this works quite well as some disabled people prefer not to use the scheme and be judged in the same way as any non-disabled applicant. 

We have a job advertised at the moment for a Mental Well-Being Advisor and I advised someone today who had dyslexia that she could opt into the guaranteed interview scheme if she so wished.  I am aware that the DRC have said at a number of conferences that dyslexia might not always be recognised as a disability - it depends on how it impacts on the individual rather than the diagnosis itself.  However I don't think any employer would want to be asking an individual how 'severe' the dyslexia is in order to decide whether or not they can use the guaranteed interview scheme.  How would they decide?.. Would they need to see an Ed Psych report and then bring in a disability specialist to decipher it?!  I would suggest that any good disability aware employer makes the scheme available to anyone who considers themselves to be disabled - note this is my opinion and I don't know if this differs to the JobCentre Plus guidelines which I don't have to hand at the moment!

Hope this helps

Lena

At 13:20 17/05/2007, you wrote:
The guaranteed interview scheme as I understand it is dependent on people self defining as disabled.
JobcentrePlus should be contacted regarding their criteria for this scheme. Your university Careers Service may also be able to advise.
It is ultimately the courts that decide whether someone is covered by the DDA and each case is considered on an individual basis.

Regards
Julie Summers
Student Disability Service
University of Glasgow

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[ mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kate Dresser
Sent: 17 May 2007 12:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Disability and Guaranteed Job Interviews


I'd be grateful if anyone could suggest how I advise a student whose query is: Is dyslexia considered to be sufficiently debilitating to secure in a guaranteed interview when applying for jobs?
I have heard it suggested that only severe dyslexia would be grounds for bringing an action under the DDA.

Kate


l

Kate Dresser
Dyslexia Co-ordinator
Disability and Dyslexia Service
Student Support Centre
Cardiff University
50 Park Place
Cardiff CF10 3AT
029 2087 4528
[log in to unmask]

Lena Kloos
Disability Officer
Equality Unit
University of Hertfordshire
Tel/Txt: 01707 28 4454
Fax: 01707 28 5094
Web: www.herts.ac.uk/equality