Disability, neurodiversity & mental health careers support

We understand that each individual's experience is unique and we strive to ensure that our services are tailored to meet your specific needs.

Resource list

• MyPlus Students' Club - offers careers advice, mentorship programmes and access to exclusive job opportunities with employers who value diversity and inclusion
• Inclusive Companies - companies who are making a postitive impact 
• Workplace Diversity and Equality
• Video from Change 100 about how to talk to employers about a disability and ask for adjustments

MyPlus Pathway

The MyPlus Pathway on Careers Connect will help you build confidence when applying to roles and opportunities with a disability.

Whilst you are studying here at UoB, you can gain work experience, which will support you in your employability.

There are many ways to gain this experience, either through our programmes at UoB or with external organisations.

Remember, work experience does not have to be a full-time internship; it can be something which fits around your studies during term-time or during the holidays.

If working during term time, the University recommends that you only work 15 hours maximum per week to support you in balancing your studies with work.

Resource list 

Internal opportunities at UoB 

• The B-Experienced Internship Programme
• The Birmingham Project (for first year undergraduates)
• Impact Challenge (for penultimate and final year undergraduates)
• Masters Consultancy Challenge (for post graduates) 

External opportunities

• Change 100 internships - connects disabled students and graduates with employers for paid summer work placements and professional development
• 10000 Able Interns - matches students with disabilities with a paid internship in the sector of interest
• The Civil Service Fast Stream - offers programmes, which are open to students in their penultimate or final year
• Ambitious about Autism - paid placement opportunities 

Mentoring schemes and networking allow students to engage with industry professionals that are like-minded, who help initiate conversation around you and your career development.

They empower and motivate you to understand your goals and advise you on how you can achieve them.

Resource list

• Careers Network Mentoring
• Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme
• Applying to roles with a disability (Careers Connect Pathway)

External Resources

• AbilityNet - support in using technology independently 
• Access to Work - a government scheme with information, support and funding for additional work-related costs
• ADHD UK - advice on adjustments in the workplace for individuals with ADHD
• Blind in Business - helping blind and partially sighted people into work
• British Dyslexia Association - information and resources on career development, tips and strategies to manage dyslexia-related challenges in the workplace
• Disability Rights UK - online resources with information and support on employment rights, discrimination and reasonable adjustments
• Employment Autism - information and support
• Equality and Human Rights Commission - information about employment rights 
• Equal Opportunities Commission - information and advice on employment rights and equality in the workplace
• Mind - resources to support mental health in the workplace

Meet our students and graduates who come from a varied range of backgrounds sharing their success stories and what helped them the most.

To register with the University's Disability Service, please visit our dedicated webpage and fill out the registration form to receive the support and accommodations you need during your academic journey.

You also might like to consider joining SANDAM (formerly known as DAMSA) - Students' Association for Neurodivergence, Disability and Mental Health, a student group at The Guild that welcomes students who identify as having a disability, offering a supportive and inclusive community for exploration and connection.

Watch this video from Change 100 about how disabled students can talk to employers about their disability and how to ask for adjustments:

This section aims to provide you further advice on finding various opportunities, organisations and networks that support our students and graduates with disabilities.

Employers' drive to have a diverse organisation has improved over time and has become more inclusive in their recruitment process.

What to look for when researching employers

When considering potential employers, it's essential to research their commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially in supporting individuals with disabilities. Look for evidence of workplace accommodations, inclusive policies, employee resource groups, and testimonials, ensuring their actions align with their stated values.

Research Checklist 

• Company’s website
• Industry news and blogs
• Review sites
• TARGETjobs Employer Insights
• Glassdoor
• The Job Crowd
• Social media
• LinkedIn
• Job sectors