New Disability

[dolfrog]

I have been diagnosed as suffering from Auditory Processing Disorder. which has only very recently recognised in the UK. There are many hidden support isues involved which go beyond the initial diagnosis, and nominal recognised problems.
How do i go about having this disability officially recognised, and how should I try to gain the benefits needed to to provide the support I need.
And then how do I dewscribr my disability to potential employers who have never heard about my disability.
My previous employers were not very helpful in this respect.

[Ouisch]

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/process_deficit/living_working.html

Lots of good info on CAPD at the above site, including tips on dealing with it in the workplace.  It's an American site, so it doesn't give info on getting it "officially recognized" in the UK (it's recognized in the US and patients are protected by the Americans with Disabilities act).  You should discuss this with your audiologist; he or she can probably give you a written diagnosis along with your limitations/special needs that you can submit to whatever governmental body issues disability pensions, etc.

[dolfrog]

The Answer provided is of very little use and only highlights the problem I have, in that UK organisations have no Idea of the UK situation regarding APD, and that the linkl provided< which I found 6 years ago, is of little use here in the UK.
They failed to find the main UK support agency for APD, APDUK. And the advice coming from the USA does not apply here in the UK. So this is not an answer to my question.. it only highlights the problems and the lackj of understanding of the issues involved.

[Lillabet]

Given that you criticised what seems to have been a genuine attempt to help I am a little wary of replying.

However. You are clearly aware of http://www.apduk.org/ another site that might be of use is: http://www.defeatingdeafness.org/auditory+processing+disorder+page2003.html this contains a contact from which you can order leaflets about the condititon.

If you have been diagnosed by a doctor as having this disability then I would request a certificate from that doctor stating that you have this condition.

Under the Disabilities Act employers have to make reasonable provision to accomodate workers with disabilities. I would suggest visiting the CAB to speak to an advisor with experience of disability and employment issues. Be prepared to show them information on the condition. They might never have heard of it. I hadn't.

Before you go try to make a list of all the things in your job where you believe that your disability puts you at a disadvantage. Then, with the help of the CAB advisor come up with strategies for making these problems better.

The CAB will be able to explain how you and / or your employer can apply for additional help / support.

As for getting a job - potential employers have to work within the new law so are likely to be open to discussing it with you. Lots of organisations guarantee that any disabled candidate who meets the minimum requirements will be interviewed. This is especially true in the public sector.

[Lillabet]

What you can't expect is to announce to a potential employer that you have this condition and expect them to know what to do. Expect to have to give them information such as the leaflet I mentioned earlier. Also to have to give examples of how it effects your work and the ideas you have for getting round it. Perhaps even to have to provide info on how to get funding to cover any extra cost.

You can put all of this together into some sort of information pack with the help of the CAB. Make copies and have the info ready to leave with an employer at an interview to read afterwards.

On top of everything else being so prepared will show them that you are organised and pro-active and are willing to put in effort. All things any employer is likely to want.

Best of luck.

[clairelb]

Additionally, Jobcentre Plus offices have Disability Employment Advisers.  You do not have to be claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance to have an appointment with these people, nor does your disability need to be a ‘recognised’ one.  If your condition limits the type of work you are able to do, then they should be more than happy to help.  They are trained to advise on the benefits that you may be entitled to and specifically with the help and assistance available to you to help you find and remain in employment.   They will also be experts in how to deal with potential employers.

[dolfrog]

Sorry about letting my frustration out in my earlier post. But do at times I feel so isolated with my APD. I should make my position clearer

I am chairman of APDUK, and the web site designer.
APDUK was involved in the consultation process which resulted in the pamphlet MRC you refer to (waiting for new supplies). Defeating Deafness only funded its publication.
I am being advised by the disability advisor at the local job centre, and they are telling me that because I am one of the first adults to have an APD diagnosis, a complex disability they finding it helping difficult to help.

The problem with APD diagnosis is that in most countries only an Audiologist trained to carry out the diagnostic tests and then interpret the test results. (UK Audiologists have only just recently set a degree standard professional qualification) I was diagnosed at the Sheffield University APD clinic.

I have a diagnosis, but who understands the practical implications of this diagnosis. Little or no research has been done on this in the UK. I was only diagnosed as suffering from APD Oct 2003 but I have been APD all my life.

I took the option of redundancy to escape the stress caused by my previous employer�s refusal to recognise my disability and victimisation. Even though I told them that I was dyslexic when I joined company (APD is a recognised cause of dyslexia)

Unfortunately I am the UK APD pioneer so I need advice in areas I do not understand