Wheelchair issues

[Jasmin82]

So, I've been out of work for 3 years due to my health. It still isn't 100%, but I can't do staying at home anymore. So I applied for a job in a role I have over 10 years of experience in. Got an invite to an interview next week and requested wheelchair access.
Just had an email to invite me to visit the day before the interview because they aren't sure the building I'd be working in if I got the job is accessible.
Feel like banging my head against a wall. It's not the fault of the employer if the building isn't completely accessible, but just feels like I'm going to be stuck not working because the jobs that are likely to be accessible I don't have any experience in and the jobs I can do, I can't get due to being in a wheelchair. If I could get a leg transplant to get rid of the bloody thing, I'd go for it in the blink of an eye.
Just feeling a bit sorry for myself which makes me feel selfish. Just needed a vent.

I've woken up and am giving serious consideration to withdrawing my application before the interview. There's no guarantee I'd get the job but, if I did, I can't see it working out due to accessibility issues in the building. Feeling torn about going the day before just to see how bad (or not) it is and withdrawing my application to save myself going through an interview for a job I can't do due to the building not being accessible.

Hold on. Don't withdraw.

Employers are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments, which include

"making physical changes to the workplace, like installing a ramp for a wheelchair user or an audio-visual fire alarm for a deaf person
letting a disabled person work somewhere else, such as on the ground floor for a wheelchair user"

They don't have to do it if it's unreasonable (too expensive, impossible architecturally etc) but they do have to assess it (and they can't discriminate against you at interview because of your disability).

This is where it gets tricky, because you might not be up for the fight (perfectly fair if you're not) but by withdrawing you're not making them engage with their legal responsibilities and they're likely to lose out on a well qualified employee (I'm assuming that describes you) and keep back door discriminating.

It's shit that it's up to people with disabilities to hold firms to account but please reconsider withdrawing (even if you end up deciding to because you can do without the hassle and heartache)

Please don't cancel. The fact that they've invited you in means they want to see if they can make it work for you, they want to help. I'd honestly take it as a positive.

Don't cancel you'll just be making the issue go away. You've managed to secure an interview and that's good.
If it's not possible you have done a service by highlighting it. I mean what's the point of asking if you need assistance if there's nothing in place.
Fingers crossed for you @Jasmin82

The good thing is they've asked you to visit the building, one wheelchair users need is different to someone else's. My husband was a wheelchair user, he had a huge electric chair and there were so many places that said they were accessible that weren't, from toilets not getting big enough, to not being able to open doors to get in, small threshold steps. However his employers were amazing, nothing was too much trouble, and yes companies have to make adjustments.
Also if you weren't a suitable candidate they wouldn't have suggested you look at the building, they just wouldn't have even offered you an interview.

You are going. As previous person said there are so many different types of wheelchair and some that look wider have better turning circles than smaller ones. If you are best candidate then Access to work may also advise on improving access. Good luck.

Many years experience with DW would suggest to me this is a box ticking exercise. Sorry.

It's not just access. There will be toilet facilities. Kitchen facilities. And (most importantly) fire escape provision. Which means members of staff available to assist with an evacuation.

Best of luck regardless.

So, went to do the accessibility assessment today. Turns out that, one or 2 tight corners and doorways (not inaccessible, just tight) aside, it's not that bad. They have a disabled toilet and everything is on one level. They even have a disabled parking space, though the car park is a bit "busy". Not holding out hope of getting the job as there's a lot of candidates (interviews being held over 2 days as had the choice of day when offered interview).

Good luck for the interview.

Was going to pop on to suggest that i think they genuinely hope to make it work for you.

Good luck with the interview.

That all sounds pretty positive and you say you have relevant experience too so you never know
Good luck x

Good luck with the interview - I hope you nail it!

UPDATE I had the interview earlier in the week. Just got phoned today. I wasn't successful. As much as I feel unemployable, I'm glad as the parking situation alone would have been stressful.
When I said the car park was a bit "busy" I mean that people were blocking each other in because there was hardly any parking. I can see it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to get my wheelchair in and out of the car on a daily basis without damaging someone else's car.