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Resources for Supporting Disabled Employees

Updated 28 August 2024:

The Equality and Inclusion Unit is in the process of reviewing and updating this webpage.

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Reasonable adjustments

University of Leeds

If an employee thinks they require any adjustments they can talk to the person or people who are responsible for supporting them generally in their day to-day work. An appropriate manager or HR officer are often good first points of contact. Many adjustments are simple, easy to implement and inexpensive or even free. An adjustment can be temporary or permanent. Some employees may benefit from one or more measures to reduce or remove workplace disadvantages. Managers can work with the employee to understand what types of adjustments might be appropriate and tailor support to the employee's individual circumstances.  

 External

  • Abilitynet is a UK charity that provides advice and training on digital accessibility.
  • Acas provide advice on supporting and treating disabled people fairly at work.
  • AccessAble provide detailed accessibility guides for buildings and services across the University campus.
  • Access to Work is a government funded employment scheme providing practical, individually tailored advice, support and funding for disabled people in the workplace.
  • The Business Disability Forum (BDF) has a confidential Advice Service with a team of expert advisors who can provide guidance and practical problem solving help on individual cases and challenging issues. The BDF Advice Service is available to line managers and HR Officers/Managers. To access the Business Disability Forum membership benefits, register with your University of Leeds email address on the BDF membership signup webpage.
  • Disability Rights UK is a charity run by, and working for disabled people.
  • There are three recognised trade unions that employees can join and seek advice from: UCU, UNISON and Unite.
  • The Maximus free resources and disability awareness guides provide useful information about specific disabilities, impairments and long-term health conditions. The Maximus Mental Health Support Service provides one-to-one workplace mental wellbeing support funded by the Department of Work and Pensions. Employees can access 9 months of support including tailored work focused mental health support, coping strategies and a personal support plan. Find out more on the University mental health and wellbeing support webpages.

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Diagnosis

Funding and assessment

The University does not provide funding for diagnostic assessments for employees. However, a diagnosis is not a requirement for putting in place much of the support and adjustments that can benefit disabled employees.

There are many specialist assessors who offer diagnostic assessments for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and visual stress). Please see below some examples of those available in Leeds and West Yorkshire:

Organisations offering dyslexia and dyspraxia assessments may also have assessors who are qualified to assess for traits of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). However, a formal diagnosis for ADD or Autism would need to be sought through the NHS and employees are advised to speak to their GP about this in the first instance.

University of Leeds

Internal support is available in the form of an assessment with the Occupational Health (OH) service. OH cannot provide diagnostic assessments but they may be able to provide recommendations and advice to disabled employees, managers and colleagues to understand what type of support and adjustments would be beneficial depending on the individual circumstances.

There is also University mental health and wellbeing support available to help with any associated anxiety or mental health issues related to undiagnosed conditions, employees waiting for a diagnosis or those newly diagnosed.

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Disability awareness training

University of Leeds

External

 Specific disabilities

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Resources for specific disabilities, impairments and health conditions

Chronic illness

Immunological conditions

Mental Health

 Neurodivergent

Neurological conditions

Respiratory conditions

Sensory

 Speech

 

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