Just wondered what your thoughts would be on my situation. I had bc 2 and a half years ago and I am now back at work. Reasonable adjustments have been made as the job involves a lot of manual handling and I no longer have to do this because of lymphoedema. I have spotted another vacancy that I would like to apply for with less hours, less physical activity and more money. I work for the local authority which has an Interview Guarantee Scheme which guarantees disabled candidates an interview if they meet the minimum essential requirements for the job. So my question is, do I qualify as disabled under the terms of the act because I have had cancer and have ongoing problems (Lymphoedema, fatigue, weak stomach muscles from Tram flap) as a result. Would you tick the box that would guarantee a interview? It would be nice to say I got the interview on my own merit but it is too good an opportunity to miss. I do still have a few problems but I don’t feel disabled and I would hate to think that I only got an interview because the rules said I had to be offered one!!
Hi Wendy,
I was wondering about this one myself as I’ve just been filling in a job application form and I’m 2 and a half years down the line like you are. As far as I understand it, we are covered by the DDA, although the definition of disability from the act mentions a long-term inability to carry out day-to-day tasks which I don’t think really applies to us. After trawling through a few sites I still wasn’t entirely sure, but I ticked the ‘yes’ box anyway and added a note about the bc and lymphoedema.Good luck with your interview - let us know how you get on. Sorry couldn’t be more helpful,
Chatta x
Yes you are classed as disabled under the act.You don’t have to BE disabled in the accepted meaning of the term though.
I completely understand your reluctance to play the BC card but you cant let this stand in the way of such a good job. Believe me ,few others would have such scruples. Its dog eat dog out there and you have to do what you can. If ,instead of disability, the criteria for a guaranteed interview was an A level , blue eyes or previous experience for instance then you wouldn’t hesitate to go for it if this applied to you would you?
And after all ,just because you have the interview, you still have to sell yourself in the same way as everyone else.They wont hand the job to you just because you turn up.
From what I understand of the DDA, anyone diagnosed with cancer, even if they are NED (no evidence of disease), is covered by this act and considered ‘disabled’.
There’s a difference between being ‘registered’ as disabled and being protected under the Disability Discrimination Act as it means that you can’t be unfairly treated because of your diagnosis and that covers not only work but education and housing as well.
You’re not technically ‘disabled’ as those who have problems regarding their mobility or care and have applied for Disability Living Allowance. There’s a website ‘pointofdiagnosis’ which gives more information.
I think a lot of people are confused by the DDA and consider themselves to be ‘disabled’ but in the true sense of the word you’re not but it means that people can’t discriminate against you, and it also covers those who have an MS or HIV/Aids diagnosis.
When you’re registered as disabled you have a form from the DLA which then entitles you to other benefits, i.e. blue badge, etc. etc.
Great news! My interview appointment arrived today. Its not til after Easter tho so I have plenty of time to shop for a new suit as I can’t fit in anything I already have.
I must admit, I was in a quandry when I was sacked after my diagnosis (and because of it, but that’s for another day!). I made the decision to go for ‘quality of life’ and look for something part time. The difficult thing was whether to say I hadn’t worked for 18 months because of the diagnosis and risk not even getting an interview, or not mention it but then explain when or if I did.
My partner was of the opinion not to mention it until I got an interview as then at least I could sell myself, so to speak, once I did. My strong feeling was I HAD to mention it - let’s face it it’s not like saying ‘Oh by the way I was off work for 2 weeks with flu last year’!
I have to say I compromised - if it was just a send CV application I did - if they wanted an application form filled in then I told them on the health/time off for illness thing. No prizes for seeing where this is going!
It does have a happy ending - and a delicious irony - I was taken on as a doctor’s receptionist at a place 10 minutes walk away, with them knowing the full story before I saw them. I guess because they are GP’s they aren’t as ‘afraid’ of the fact someone has been diagnosed with bc. They jiggled the hours to suit me and I love it.
