Disability passports aim to cut job search stress

New disability passports will help make job searches less stressful, a recent graduate has said.

The personal document, available to Level 6 students at New College Durham, in Durham, has been designed to help them when moving into employment.

It outlines their individual needs and what adjustments work best, aiming to support both job seekers and employers.

Emily Liddell, who is among the first to receive the document, said it would help her to focus in an interview more, adding it "describes what disabilities you have so you don't have to stress talking about it".

"I think it will help ease the stress of looking for employment, knowing that what's already in the passport is what you can give them to help with support," she said.

"When you're in an interview you're already stressing about the answers you have to give and it's one less thing to stress about," the business management graduate added.

The passport was created by Mhairi Vale, the college's higher education access advisor.

Ms Vale said her own experience of being neurodivergent had inspired her to make the document.

She began working on the project last September.

The government also offers a Health Adjustment Passport to people with disabilities or health conditions - but Ms Vale said its 25 questions were "a lot of questions to go through".

"I wanted something simpler and straight to the point so that it's easier for students to update if they needed to.

"It was easier for us to put that information in place for them and something that they could hold and be proud of," she said.

A digital version, which can be updated is also available to students.

It is hoped the passport will be extended to all higher education students with a current Reasonable Adjustment Plan at the college, and potentially further education students and staff.

Ms Vale said she hoped other universities and colleges would pick up the initiative.

Three college students have received the document so far. "They are really excited and happy to use them," she added.

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