Stephenson Harwood receiving the ‘MyPlus Students’ Club Best Company Profile Award’

A key objective of our MyPlus Recruiters’ Club is to help employers effectively engage with disabled students and to do this they have to proactively market themselves as employers of choice to this talent pool.

As a member of our Recruiters’ Club employers create a company profile for our MyPlus Students’ Club careers website for disabled students.

Stephenson Harwood were chosen for their superb profile which really markets themselves as an inclusive organisation where diversity is really valued.

View the Stephenson Harwood profile

(Please note to access the profile you will need to sign up as a member, which is free)

Hannah O’Dowd, Accenture receiving the ‘Most Powerful Personal Story Award’

Employee stories aren’t just important for employers to share when it comes to engaging with disabled students, or showcasing internally the approach to disability, they are absolutely crucial as they:

1. Bring what you say to life

2. Demonstrate that this is ‘real’

3. Can be used to show case an organisation’s culture and the support they can and do provide.

Hannah’s story is incredibly powerful taking you on a journey from sustaining life changing injuries whilst at university, to completing her degree on a part time basis and entering the world of work. Hannah shares the skills and strengths that her disability has helped her to develop; talks about how they are an asset in the workplace; and provides really useful advice to other students – encouraging them to focus on their strengths

View Hannah’s story

Adam Dempsey-Doyle, Herbert Smith Freehills receiving the ‘Best Disability Speaker/Advocate Award’

Personal stories from disabled individuals are extremely powerful. Individuals who share their story not only show others what is possible and in doing so motivate and raise expectations, but when talking to employers they remind them of the unique talents that disabled people can and do have, and that are an asset in the workplace.

MyPlus regularly run disability employment events for employers, universities and students and we have been privileged to have some amazing speakers.

Adam has spoken at our events over the years and every time we hear him speak, we learn something new. He is always incredibly honest and open about his challenges, but also provides solutions and talks about what has made the difference, and particularly the support of others. Adam won this award back in 2018 and we are delighted to award it to him again for his continued commitment.

Maven receiving the ‘Most Progressed Inclusive Recruitment Award’

Inclusive recruitment is absolutely key for employers who are serious about talent. Whilst ensuring your process is inclusive is paramount to success, so is your mind set.

In the student recruitment space, maven has made huge progress. As well as developing the confidence of the team, they wanted to ensure that they were supporting disabled applicants and they recognised that they could only do this if they encouraged them to be open about their disability and request the support they required. Of the 342 applicants who requested support – they spoke to every single one of them. They are a small team, and it was time consuming. When asked how they achieved it and they simply said – we prioritised it.

Herbert Smith Freehills receiving the ‘Most Successful Business-wide Engagement Award’

To make real, sustainable progress, an employer’s approach to disability has to be firm wide. You will never really make sustainable progress, or at least you will find it incredibly hard to, unless you engage with the firm as a whole and leverage the resources and more importantly your people.

Herbert Smith Freehills recognised the importance of being disability confident across the organisation as a whole and was definitely an early adopter. They launched their network over 10 years ago, and following the success of this, launched the Neurodiversity Working Group. They have provided training for managers regards supporting disabled colleagues. In recruitment, they have delivered training for the recruitment teams and hiring managers. And in the Early Careers space they have run an annual insight event specifically for disabled students for the last 6 years. Their disability engagement really does go across the whole firm.