The Disability Symbol

The Disability Symbol is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers agreeing to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.

If you are reviewing your approach to employing disabled people or trying to create a more diverse workforce, becoming a disability symbol user may help. You will be making it clear to disabled people that you welcome applications from them and are positive about their abilities, and to your existing employees that you value their contribution and will treat them fairly should they become disabled.

Who can become a disability symbol user?

Any employer in Great Britaincan use the symbol, if they make certain commitments. The commitments are the same for all symbol users, but the way you implement them is up to you.

To become a symbol user, contact your local Jobcentre Plus Office. A representative normally the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) will discuss with you how you could make the five symbol commitments work within your company, and how to enhance your personnel policies and practices to meet them. You will need to make arrangements so that the whole organisation is able to deliver the commitments when you are ready to begin using the symbol.

Where can I use/display the symbol?

If you become a symbol user, you should display the symbol on all job advertisements (internal and external), application forms, recruitment literature and personnel communications.

It can also be used on business stationery, in-house reports, notices and other relevant items. Please remember when placing a vacancy with us or with recruitment agencies, to mention that you are a symbol user. Jobcentre Plus will display the disability symbol logo on your vacancy. If you advertise vacancies on the Internet the symbol should be shown. Where you are unable to show the symbol for technical reasons (eg teletext), you should include a statement about your organisation being a symbol user. The symbol cannot be used in the context of providing or promoting goods or services to customers. For example you may not use it on product brochures or other material supporting your product message or business.

Who monitors the symbol?

The symbol is monitored by disabled people, who will expect to see the commitments implemented. It is also monitored by you. Your fifth commitment, to review your symbol actions annually and plan ways to build on progress, is designed to help you with this.

 Jobcentre Plus will also review your progress against the commitments, and discuss your future plans. You may find that there are a few minor issues to sort out in how the commitments have been working. If all has gone well, you may want to consider whether there is more you could do to develop and encourage employees with disabilities.

 Jobcentre Plus can offer help and support if you come across any difficulties in the course of making your commitments work. If a disabled person makes a complaint about your organisation as a symbol user, it is important for you to follow it up carefully. You may need to check whether any changes are needed so that you can continue to meet the requirements of the symbol. In very exceptional circumstances, if problems cannot be resolved quickly, Jobcentre Plus may ask an organisation to suspend its use of the symbol until the necessary changes are made, or as a last resort to cease using the symbol altogether.

How can I find out more about what I can do to become a Disability Symbol user?

Contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus office and ask to speak to the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA). They can arrange to visit you and discuss in detail with you what becoming a symbol user means.

When I become a Disability Symbol user, where can I get a copy of the Disability Symbol?

Your DEA can provide a copy of the symbol on disc or by e mail.

How do I know which employers use the Disability Symbol?

A list of national and local symbol users is available from your Jobcentre Plus office.

Information on the five disability symbol commitments and the essential action needed to meet them.