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Ability programme

Shortlisted for the 2020 THE Awards  in the category of: Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Birkbeck is committed to being a truly inclusive environment in which all staff and students are treated fairly and with respect, and where diversity is championed. 

Overview

At Birkbeck we want to ensure that our disabled students and recent graduates have access to useful, tailored careers advice and work experience so they can find meaningful work and successfully enter and remain in the workplace. To achieve this, the Birkbeck Futures Careers Team works closely with colleagues in the Disability and Dyslexia Service and other Student Services. 

The Ability Programme support students and recent graduates with a disability, a long-term health condition, or who are neurodivergent, who want advice finding a job they will love, supercharging job applications and the opportunity to connect with Disability Confident employers looking for talented people.

Information for students

  • We run workshops to help you progress your career potential and build your social capital, covering topics such as applying for work with a disability, disclosure, confidence building, resilience, communicating your unique abilities and strengths, networking, and personal branding.
  • You have access to a dedicated Ability e-learning programme.
  • There is also the opportunity to connect with alumni and employers through dedicated employer-led sessions and employer panels. These enable employers to highlight their expertise, their inclusive organisations and recruitment practices, as well the opportunities available for those with a disability, who are neurodivergent or have a long-term health conditions.
  • You will have the opportunity to apply for funded Ability Micro Placements supported by the Ian Karten Charitable Trust. These are of varying lengths.
  • In addition, our experienced career consultants are on hand to offer you one-to-one career advice and answer any questions you have throughout the year.
  • If you have any questions about the Ability Programme, please .

PROGRAMME CONTENT

Information for employers and organisations

  • Birkbeck Futures Career Service is committed to working closely with the business community to champion social inclusion and create positive change. Birkbeck was mentioned as an example of best practice in the 2021 Policy Connect All Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology's report Talent and Technology: Building bridges to employment for disabled people.
  • As an employer, wherever you are on your disability journey, imagine the world in 2030, fully inclusive of persons with disabilities. If your organisation is Disability Confident or perhaps working to become more inclusive, or if you are working towards implementing UN Sustainable Goals, supporting the Ability Programme is one way you can support #Envision2030 to transform the world for people with disabilities. 
  • Ways to work with the Ability Programme
    • Working with the Ability Programme is a fantastic way to showcase your organisation's talent brand to disabled candidates in a meaningful and impactful way.
    • There are many ways you can support what we do, delivering workshops, insight events, participating on employer panel events, supporting one-to-one days with sector-specific CVs, cover letter reviews, mock interviews and offering informational interviews.
    • As a career service, Birkbeck Futures is very holistic and agile, and we are open to innovative ideas you may have as well.
  • Ability Micro Placements
  • Contact

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