What steps has the Senedd Commission taken to ensure that those who have hearing loss or are registered deaf are able to fully interact with the Welsh Parliament job application process, specifically where Welsh language skills are required?
The Commission is committed to equal access to all through its recruitment procedures, at each stage of the process.
Candidates with any additional needs are supported through the Commission’s careers website and recruitment portal, and encouraged to contact a member of our team to discuss any requirements at any time: I have a disability. Can you accommodate my needs during the recruitment process? (senedd.wales)
Adjustments are made to accommodate any candidate unable to apply using our online applicant tracking system. In the case of applicants who have hearing loss or are registered d/Deaf, the Commission can work with applicants to receive applications in alternative form for example BSL video or live BSL interpretation via videocall.
At Interview stage we continue to ensure that candidates are given the opportunity to request adjustments as required. The Commission is committed to its guaranteed interview scheme for disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role.
The Official Languages Scheme (OLS) was introduced in 2018 and an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) was carried out based on the proposed changes. This EQIA will be updated when the new OLS scheme is introduced later this year.
Roles which don’t require a 1-5 level of Welsh language skills within the Senedd Commission are advertised as ‘Courtesy Welsh’.
The Commission supports candidate with hearing loss or who is registered d/Deaf appointed into a role, through BSL interpreters / lip readers / palantypists as required, depending on circumstances. We would work with each individual on a case by case basis.
Our processes should not preclude a candidate who has hearing loss or who is registered d/Deaf from accessing our job application process.
Our focus is to work with applicants on an individual basis, tailoring adjustments to their specific requirements, to enable them to participate equitably in our recruitment campaigns, at each stage of the process.