"My Name on the Door by the Professor's Name": The Process of Recruiting a Researcher with a Learning Disability at a UK University

Autor/inn/en	Anderson, Rebecca J.; Keagan-Bull, Richard; Giles, Jo; Tuffrey-Wijne, Irene
Titel	"My Name on the Door by the Professor's Name": The Process of Recruiting a Researcher with a Learning Disability at a UK University
Quelle	In: British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 51 (2023) 3, S.460-468 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Anderson, Rebecca J.) ORCID (Tuffrey-Wijne, Irene)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1354-4187
DOI	10.1111/bld.12477
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Researchers; Learning Disabilities; Recruitment; Universities; Job Applicants; Equal Opportunities (Jobs); Research Assistants; Adjustment (to Environment); Social Support Groups; Needs; Change; Information Dissemination; Human Resources; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Researcher; Forscher; Learning handicap; Lernbehinderung; Recruiting; Rekrutierung; University; Universität; Bewerber; Equal opportunity; Equal opportunities; Job; Jobs; Chancengleichheit; Beruf; Forschungspersonal; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Grundbedürfnis; Wandel; Informationsverbreitung; Humankapital; Großbritannien
Abstract	Background: The advantages of including people with learning disabilities in research teams have been well described, but it is rare for researchers with learning disabilities to be employed at a university. This paper explores the extent to which university recruitment procedures are accessible to job applicants with learning disabilities. Methods: We present reflections on the process of recruiting a Research Assistant with a learning disability onto a university research team. The recruitment process is described from the perspectives of the employee, line manager and Human Resources representative. Findings: The recruiting manager and Human Resources representative had to make adjustments to a wide range of standard processes, including centralised online recruitment systems that were difficult to navigate, inaccessible job descriptions and difficult application forms. Finding workarounds to ensure reasonable adjustments were made was time-consuming. The employee needed significant support from within his own networks to cope with the application process and had concerns about the potential impact of fixed-term job contracts on future benefits. Despite our efforts, procedures remained difficult for the applicants to navigate. Conclusions: Employing researchers with learning disabilities is important. Fundamental changes to job application systems are required, including easy-to-understand information, alternative formats of application forms, and support available where needed. Flexibility from the Human Resources departments is key. They will need support from teams with experience working with people with learning disabilities. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01