Case Studies

This page will contain case studies about disabled members and how they overcame workplace problems. Members and Disability Champions will be able to submit their stories to the site.

Members can submit their stories using the links on the right. They do not have to give their name or workplace if they do not wish to. The item below is fictitious but shows the style that the actual case studies will take.

For 1st 6 years, huge perception problems - only disabled if in wheelchair mentality + total lack of realisation of the problems I had with lighting. It took several reports (Occupational Consultants + Medical) before I was believed in virtually anything.

Now the problem is re access to the firm's social events. I am only sitting here, typing this (for example) because, like Cinderella, everyone's gone to the ball - except me. The event is not suitable for anyone with epilepsy: it's not just the disco bit (I'm used to that), I can't even go to the dinner as there'll be flickering lights during that. A suggestion has been made that I have a table of my own in the bar area - how sad is that?! My lack of enthusiastic response has resulted in a ticking off as this is the Events Manager's "busiest + most stressful day of the year" - poor her. Any hint of how stressed + upset I am has been utterly ignored. It has been hard today (+ esp this evening) listening to all the plans + watching everyone go past in their party outfits + it's v tempting to just give up + leave. Am I really being "difficult" (e.g. is the table in the bar what they call a "reasonable adjustment") - any help/advice much appreciated!!

I work as a sewing machinist and have been working an automatic machine for the past two years, on Monday I was told that I will have to vacate my machine for someone else to use and may be given an old manual machine as my productivity levels are questionable. I asked for evidence of this and requested what was expected of me and how far I was behind this level and the timings for the jobs and none was forthcoming. I feel that I have been a subject of discrimination

I cope very well generally at work but since having a road accident on the way to work in June 04 have problems driving in heavy traffic, I have requested that I keep to my 35 hrs per wk but that I avoid 9 to 5 to avoid traffic as it causes a lot of stress & causes problems, my employers say they try to fit in but as my contracted hours are 9 to 5 they cannot avoid these hours at least 1 or 2 times per wk - in the past this has never been a problem. When I returned to work it was decided that there was no point in changing my contracted hours as it was always easy fitting in around the hours that suited me - since mergers & being outsourced to Unisys this no longer seems to be the case. Is there anything I can do? I am a union member.

I work in a fairly large office with other Production Engineers who once a year are invited individually into the top office to talk about their role within the firm, pay structure, how their role is likely to be affected in the coming year etc. In the ten years since my first accident this has never happened to me.

I get the feeling sometimes that it's as if I should be grateful and not to 'rock the boat'. This makes me feel that I'm not contributing sufficiently and that I'm being 'tolerated'. Generally the company DO treat me well. I believe I'm the only employee on flexible hours where I start and finish when I'm able and providing I make it to 37 hours they're OK with it. This helps me tremendously. Although around two years ago I was asked to change to filling out time sheets to account for my time and previously when there was a shortfall in my hours due to sickness the company made up the difference. Now they don't and I make up any shortfall with my holiday entitlement hours. Due to the epileptic fits that seem to corrupt my hard drive I don't remember this meeting so I think in future I shall take someone with me.

If the only reason we went to work was for monetary gain I suppose I would be fine but I'd like to feel that I'm not just being tolerated because there's a government directive telling them to. What do you think?

Since contracting MS I was forced to leave nursing. As a result of my condition my eyesight is very restricted and I cannot read a computer screen without magnification. My employer was not interested in retraining me and tried to dismiss me on capability grounds. With the help of my union rep I managed to leave with a financial package but I am still unemployed. I have acquired an adapted computer and am currently taking the ECDL course at home. Despite this I am having great difficulties finding even an interview never mind a job.
Contact Joanne