Hi all, I’m disabled, but I passed my C+E last Thursday (first time).
Proper chuffed at gaining the pass and I’m now looking for work.
I’m stuck in a bit of a situation at the moment, where I have to carry on with my current job until someone buys my business (I’m a franchise owner).
This means I can only drive two weeks in every four 2 weeks driving, 2 weeks franchise, 2 weeks driving etc). I’m also disabled, having the use of just my right arm. I have no problems driving the wagon, de-coupling trailers etc, but for my body’s sake, I’m looking to try and minimise the amount of physical stuff I need to do. It seems that box work - either reefers or containers would suit me best, but I’m open to views on other work?
Although I’ve been a class 2 driver on & off since the mid-90s, with the past four years tacho records etc, I know I’m pushing my luck looking for a company that will take on a new pass, disabled driver (no adaptations needed) on part time work only (for now) in one of those two industries (refrigerated truck or containers).
I’m loathed to sign on with agencies, but this may be my best option?
I’m based in Suffolk near Felixstowe, so any positive ideas/pointers etc would be really well received.
Curious - how do you use other controls when driving
Yes, I have an auto license, although semi-auto gearboxes, including opticruise is fine.
I don’t normally drive with any adaptations to help use other controls. I’ve adapted the way I use controls with my hand - you basically end up with very good dexterity. For my test and for any driving assessments, I will use a adaptation that simply bolts on to the indicator stalk, to allow me easier access to those. I’m currently try to get it modified to make it even better and hopefully I will then use it all the time.
I’ve been disabled for more than 19 years, so I’ve got used to work arounds. I’m 53 by the way (I forgot to include my age in my original post. I only say this, as most companies need you to be minimum age for insurance purposes.
I am really impressed with what you have managed to achieve with your disability. I hope you manage to find work but you will have a lot to overcome, especially the over zealous health and safety police. We are regularly assessed getting in and out of the cab maintaining 3 points of contact. Have you thought how you would do that? I did try doing most of my jobs yesterday using one arm as an experiment and found to my surprise the it was not too bad opening the curtains and removing the side boards. Rolling up the straps wasn’t easy but could be done. Getting in and out of the cab was the hardest. Maybe you will come across an understanding employer. Good luck
no1dieselman:
I am really impressed with what you have managed to achieve with your disability. I hope you manage to find work but you will have a lot to overcome, especially the over zealous health and safety police. We are regularly assessed getting in and out of the cab maintaining 3 points of contact. Have you thought how you would do that? I did try doing most of my jobs yesterday using one arm as an experiment and found to my surprise the it was not too bad opening the curtains and removing the side boards. Rolling up the straps wasn’t easy but could be done. Getting in and out of the cab was the hardest. Maybe you will come across an understanding employer. Good luck
Hi and thanks. Any employer needs to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ accounting for a disability. I was able to demonstrate safe mounting and dismounting of the cab to the test examiner using just two points of contact, so I would hope that any company assessor would see that I am safe in this regard. It too was one of my biggest concerns, but as with everything I have faced so far, it is not insurmountable when carefully thought through.
The other ‘difficulty’ was the trailer clip and pin, but again this was found to be relatively easy after a few tries with different techniques.
Just got off the phone to Maritime and have a driver interview in early September, so we’ll see how that goes. The main issue for me, is getting people to allow me to demonstrate what I can do, rather than them simply assuming it will be too hard/risky. People are mainly surprised at what is achievable, but I know my own limits and will put my hands up if it is too risky.
Spinonit:
I’m loathed to sign on with agencies, but this may be my best option?
To start off with it is your best option whilst you’re winding down the business. I’m disabled and have done agency work most of my 25 year driving career. The advantage of it is it allows you to work as and when you are able to without any risk to your employment. The fact you’re only available every other fortnight won’t be an issue as they’ll have some jobs which are booked on a daily basis so you’re booked day by day. Agency work will also allow you to experience a very wide range of work so you can try stuff you feel you may be able to do with no commitment beyond that day or week so if you try something and it isn’t working out then you only have to do that day or week depending on length of booking. Companies also expect agency drivers to be crap so you not doing the job well, either due to lack of experience or the disability, won’t have the detrimental effect it would in permanent employment.
As for employers having to make reasonable adjustments they only have to do that to a point and they can take business and safety needs into account when deciding not to. A lot of them will use the safety aspect as a reason not to. For example it is considered safe practice to climb in and out of cabs and on/off trailers using the three point of contact rule. The fact you believe you can do it safely using two wouldn’t be sufficient to prevent them using that as a reason to not employ you.
Unfortunately a lot of hauliers are still stuck in the 1970s in the way they operate so you need to be looking at the larger firms who operate using modern management styles and do understand disability employment rights. You may be better looking at companies which aren’t hauliers but who operate their own lorries delivering their own stuff such as manufacturing companies and retail companies. The more larger and therefore more modern operating firms would most likely have the Occupational Health department involved in the application process assessing whether they could employ you. Certainly when I applied for Geopost (now DPD) as a night trunk driver that was the case and the only adaptation made to the job was that I was not to do any manual handling of the load and that I couldn’t sue them for any back injuries I sustained (which I wouldn’t have anyway as I was already coming to them with issues), both of which were specifically written into my contract of employment.
Sadly you’re too far south for an employer I know who does take on disabled drivers, Reed Boardall. I do know they’ve taken on at least one deaf person, had a one legged driver and a one armed driver in the past.
Spinonit:
I’m loathed to sign on with agencies, but this may be my best option?
To start off with it is your best option whilst you’re winding down the business. I’m disabled and have done agency work most of my 25 year driving career. The advantage of it is it allows you to work as and when you are able to without any risk to your employment. The fact you’re only available every other fortnight won’t be an issue as they’ll have some jobs which are booked on a daily basis so you’re booked day by day. Agency work will also allow you to experience a very wide range of work so you can try stuff you feel you may be able to do with no commitment beyond that day or week so if you try something and it isn’t working out then you only have to do that day or week depending on length of booking. Companies also expect agency drivers to be crap so you not doing the job well, either due to lack of experience or the disability, won’t have the detrimental effect it would in permanent employment.
As for employers having to make reasonable adjustments they only have to do that to a point and they can take business and safety needs into account when deciding not to. A lot of them will use the safety aspect as a reason not to. For example it is considered safe practice to climb in and out of cabs and on/off trailers using the three point of contact rule. The fact you believe you can do it safely using two wouldn’t be sufficient to prevent them using that as a reason to not employ you. Unfortunately a lot of hauliers are still stuck in the 1970s in the way they operate so you need to be looking at the larger firms who operate using modern management styles and do understand disability employment rights.
Conor, thanks - this is exactly why I asked on this forum, as I hoped someone like you could help me.
You make some good valid points regarding agencies and I’ve not really thought of them in that way. I’ll have a chat with a few today and see what options I might have.
Conor:
Sadly you’re too far south for an employer I know who does take on disabled drivers, Reed Boardall. I do know they’ve taken on at least one deaf person, had a one legged driver and a one armed driver in the past.
Lol, and they are very happy driving one wagon between them. One does the indicators, one does the brake and accelerator pedals and the other does the steering! [emoji2957][emoji23]
an agency who sets drivers onto working inside the dock on the tugs is along Langer Rd,Felixstowe [ near the tip] A&S recruitment they might be worth a drive out to see my neighbour works via them inside the dock
corij:
an agency who sets drivers onto working inside the dock on the tugs is along Langer Rd,Felixstowe [ near the tip] A&S recruitment they might be worth a drive out to see my neighbour works via them inside the dock
