Difficult Times (Aspergers) - Please Delete Topic

Things have changed, and the economic climate is one factor. The Equalities Commission seems to have favoured over-arching equality standards which deploy common practices to addressing individual equality needs. And it only offers legal action as a means to resolve. Sue them - then we can use your case to prove there's a problem.

The trouble is there have been few actions over disability, and government and public organisations rely on disabled pepople generally accepting a bad lot.

When the Disability Discrimination Act came about it carried quite ominous threats of prosecution for breaches. The trouble is there is very little sign of the act having any meaningful bite. There have been very few prosecutions.

Many organisations are now taking a more circumspect view. The risk of being prosecuted is low. So we can ignore large chunks of the DDA, especially those which can be covered by prosecution indemnity insurance, and just risk prosecution.  The DDA as a result has proved ineffectual and hollow.

While it is weakened for wheelchair users, blind or deaf, for invisible disabilities it never really had any clout, and hasn't any now. The Autism Act may help but it rides on the back of a feeble DDA.

I fear we are going to see a retreat in consideration for the disabled.

Support for aspergers is very weak, especially the highly educated graduates, people with dyspraxia, dyslexia and people who cannot get disability living allowance.

People with aspergers will have poor prospects or no prospects. Competition is fierce, even fort people who do not have disabilities. What hope is there for people with special needs ? Who wants to employ peopler with AS. The government's approach is weak or non - existant.

It is important to explore the job possibilities as broadly as possible, its what we tell students in the current climate - the vocation you find may be a long way from obvious. I noticed Hope had applied for a library post, but it might be worth looking at the information science/specialist librarian angle, as most library posts are about interacting with people.

It is worth looking at service careers, the jobs that don't involve other people so much. People seem reluctant to pursue jobs like cleaning, waste recycling, janitorial services, logistics management, warehouse management etc. There is greater recognition of the importance of these services and there are growing opportunities for promotion and career prospects, and study for qualifications by day release and distance learning.

People with strong computing interests can find jobs in contexts that aren't immediately obviously to do with computing, where computing wizards are needed, and which don't depend on fitting in to a large software team.

A lot can be done to identify things that play to strengths while avoiding the fitting in and other vulnerabilities.

Thanks for your advice.

I've booked for a LGV assessment.  I think it's something I can do, fulfilling deliveries, ASDA home shopping etc plus I enjoy driving.  The only shocker is that the practical test costs around £1000!

Glad to hear you are going for it...went the same volunteering route years ago after being off work with severe depression...it changed everything for me..2 years later I managed to get a part time job..then another 2 years and I was in a full-time position.

Pace yourself and take things steadily..I wish you every success with your new journey, please let us know how you are getting on.

Regrds

Hi,

@ TEA

I absolutely agree.  Selling yourself, showing your interested and it just builds up on the CV.

I'M GOING TO GO FOR IT!!!!!!

@ JIM V - MOD

Thanks for these links.  I have already registered online and applied for a computing position, but I think I will do what you have suggested and find the nearest Volunteer Centre as well.  CV's sorted and up to date.

Yes I do live in the kent area of england.

@ Hope

Yes it is frustrating. I get anxiety sometimes and then get confused about what I'm supposed to do.  It is uplifting though when you can tell people you actually do something to avoid being singled out.

Regards,

Chair

hello chair,that is so true what hope said you can take it at your own pace and if you do decide that's what you want the feeling you get from it is uplifting  good luck

Am in similar position myself. I do loads of volunteering, at three separate organisations, and have a 2.1 history degree. Yet I still can't get a paid job. I receive Incapacity and DLA benefits, but I really want to work, it is just that my impediments get in the way: chronic, health related anxiety, OCD, need to be in control, social problems. I have recently had an interview for a library post, but I did not get the job. I keep on trying, but I think that at least with voluntary work, you are guaranteed a position in most cases. You don't have to compete, and you can work at a pace that suits you, while still getting the good feeling that you are contributing to society.

Hi Chair, 

Wanted to highlight some options for you to find possible volunteering opportunities. Often people find volunteering a helpful route into work but that doesn't always mean you might end up working at the organisation. 

It could be that volunteering may help you build up your CV, confidence about working or help you find other opportunities. It may also help you meet other people and make friends. 

Volunteer Centres can help people on a local level to find volunteering opportunities and support their volunteering. There's a search here to help you find your nearest VC:

http://www.do-it.org.uk/wanttovolunteer/aboutvolunteering/vcfinder

The website where that search sits, Do-it.org.uk is also a great resource to search for volunteering opportunities. They have a search of on the ground roles as well and telephone or online positions. 

http://www.do-it.org.uk/

You might also want to look at Volunteer England (sorry I'm assuming you are in England, if that's wrong please let us know) to read their advice about volunteering and the benefits it can bring:

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/IWantToVolunteer

I'm sorry it's been really difficult for you to find work so far Chair, hopefully volunteering might help with that.

Hello chair ,voluntary work is a great start ,it shows any future employer your willing to work ,gives you experience gives you a purpose and gives you a boost of confidence i worked for hunts mind ,it was a great way of learning new skills and meeting  new people .......i only gave up due to illness  ................... the options are there    go for it !!!!