Positive about Disability

Victory Housing Trust is a user of the Disability Symbol

What is the Disability Symbol?
It's a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to organisations who agree to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.

Why has Victory Housing Trust obtained the Positive About Disability or Double Tick symbol?
Victory wants to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination and which recognises and utilises the diversity of the community it serves. We also need to meet our legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.

In addition, in a market where it is increasingly difficult to recruit and retain skilled and motivated staff, employers recognise that employing disabled people is a key factor in improving efficiency, productivity and overall business success.

By using the symbol we will help make it clear to disabled people that we welcome applications from them and are positive about their abilities. The symbol will also show our staff that we value their contribution and will treat them fairly should they become disabled. Employing disabled people makes service providers better placed to recognise, develop and deliver goods and services for disabled customers.

What do the commitments mean in practice?
Organisations who obtain accreditation to use the Double Tick symbol are required to:

• Interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities. 
•  Make sure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities.
• Ensure every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment.
• Take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work.
• Annually review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans.

What does it mean for applicants when they see the Disability Symbol on a job advert?
It means that the applicant, who meets the minimum criteria for the job they have applied for, will be guaranteed an interview. Interested applicants can always find out from the employer what the minimum criteria are. That way, they will have a good idea of whether it's worth applying and what to expect. This applies to internal and external candidates.