John Chambers, 24, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth. He attended a dedicated school for the disabled and despite restricted mobility and learning difficulties he went to University and completed a degree in Business and Technology. When his course was completed, however, he felt the physical limitations of his condition would hold him back in the jobs market. 

"When I graduated, it didn’t feel like there was anyone to turn to for help and support. Careers advice wasn’t very forthcoming for the disabled and I was very sceptical about my chances in terms of a job. My parents were happy for me to stay at home with them and I thought I’d be better off doing that."

John was out of work for three years after finishing University and his belief that his disability was holding him back had started to affect his mental well-being. 

"Early last year, I was on the verge of emotional collapse. I felt useless and completely reliant on my parents. I wasn’t using my mind or my body for anything productive and I didn’t have the motivation to do anything about it."

In 2003, John heard about met at a support group.

"My friend suffered from MS, but he had a great job working for the Inland Revenue and was shocked to hear that I had never worked. He told me about the Disability Jobsite and I was really surprised to find out that there was a jobs website designed specifically for people like me".

"I did want to work confidence to get out there and look for it. When you have a disability it’s very easy to believe that there isn’t help and support out there, especially within the jobs market."

When John logged on to Disability Jobsite he immediately registered his details with the site and used the online resources to review his options. In addition to finding out about the career options he could pursue, John also found online information about the Workability scheme, which helps disabled people gain up-to-date training with the use of free computer equipment and a "virtual college".

John refreshed his skills with an RSA Computer Literacy and Information Technology 1 (CLAIT) and using the Disability Jobsite he began to apply for jobs.

"I’ve always been interested in computers  – I just didn’t have the time - although I confess that after leaving University I had only really used them to play games! Via an advertisement on the Disability Jobsite, I found out that BT were running graduate recruitment schemes which included guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates who met the minimum recruitment criteria, which I did, thanks to my degree."

"I didn’t know if I had a real chance at a job, but after revising my interview techniques with the help of information I found at the Disability Jobsite, I was keen to get some interview experience. I was over the moon when BT called me back for a second interview for their technology division and I was offered a job as a trainee IT support administrator."