Tahir Idris – Assistive Technology Manager
| Employee | Tahir Idris |
|---|---|
| Job | Assistive Technology Manager |
| Sector | Property management |
| Company | Places for People, Preston |
“You're only as disabled as your environment makes you - if the facilities are there you don't feel disabled.”
Tahir Idris has found something close to his ideal job: “It combines two things that I’m passionate about – helping people who are vulnerable, and gadgets.”
His role at Places for People is to help disabled and older people live independently. “We provide technology which helps our tenants to stay independent. Like panic alarms, remote control door openers, window openers. I’m helping people – that’s what I love about it. I get a kick out of that. ”
Positive attitude
Tahir contracted Polio at the age of one, and it left him with weak legs. He has a calliper on one leg and uses a walking stick. He also can’t see out of one eye, which was damaged when he was a child.
His disabilities don’t cause him any problems at work – partly thanks to the attitude of Places for People: “This workplace has given me fantastic support for me and my disability.”
Employer’s story
Chris Kilbane, Individual Support Director at Places for People, knew exactly what she was looking for when she started recruiting for an Assistive Technology Manager. “I wanted someone who had technical expertise” she says, “but more importantly, I wanted to employ someone who had good people skills.” Tahir didn’t have the same level of technical knowledge as some of the other candidates for the post but Chris says that he had something else that was of more value. “He had a good understanding of people which we valued, because the company wanted to appoint a manager who could inspire other staff.”
Investing in staff
Places for People have made several adjustments for Tahir which included providing him with an office with easy access to a lift. He was given the option of using his car for business travel rather than the train. “The costs of making the adjustments were reasonable” says Chris. “The investment was worth it because we had to employ the best person for the job and Tahir was definitely the best person.”
Chris believes that Tahir’s appointment and his willingness to talk about his disability has helped to change attitudes of staff and helped them confront their own prejudices about disability. Tahir has also organised disability awareness workshops for the company which have been well received.
As an employer, Chris acknowledges that there are additional costs and adjustments that may have to be made to employ a disabled person. However, she believes that any issues about costs are not significant because they have to be considered in the context of the business benefits of recruiting the right person for a job.
Message to other employers
“Getting the right person for the job has to be the priority for employers. Dealing with other issues such as disability are secondary. You can’t ignore the fact that a candidate for a job may have a disability, but once you understand their disability, it’s no longer an issue.”
Chris Kilbane, Individual Support Director
Employee's story
Tahir came to Places for People after working as an Operations Director of a small housing association. It’s a very different kind of role: “It was a big move – I’d been at the last place for a long time and needed a change. It interested me.”
The company has made small but effective adjustments such as ensuring Tahir has a parking space near the entrance. There is also a lift and three disabled toilets in the building. He also requested a special chair at his desk: “They’re not cheap, but it makes my life so much easier and gives a bit more support. I have to say they were brilliant again – they got it ordered.”
Flexibility
The company’s flexible approach is also illustrated by the fact that Tahir is able to travel by car instead of train when attending meetings. Most members of staff have to travel by train, as it’s more cost effective. “But my boss spotted that I do struggle on the train – at train stations, getting on the train, getting off it, wandering round trying to find a toilet. She said, ‘I’m happy for you to drive everywhere if that’s more comfortable for you’. To me that was such a huge relief and support.”
Tahir began his career in housing as a management trainee. Since then, the main challenge he has faced as a disabled person, is a general lack of awareness about disability issues. “People can be thoughtless sometimes but it’s usually because they aren’t aware of the barriers disabled people have to face. Eventually though, employers and colleagues don’t see you as a disabled person, they take you on merit and value you for what you can achieve”
