I recently noted a post on EngX asking what the IET does (if anything) to support Neurodiverse Engineers when applying for Professional Registration.
I wanted to share with you what we do (is it enough, no!) and I also wanted to take the opportunity to assure that the IET are committed to reducing and removing barriers to Professional Registration and to membership. In fact, in January I was asked to record a short video for our intranet about my own IET New Year resolution, which was to make the IETs registration assessment process the most inclusive of the Professional Engineering Institutions (PEI).
We encourage applicants who are D/deaf, hearing impaired, visually impaired, neurodiverse or managing anxiety or mental health, to please make us aware in order that we can then provide the necessary support and application/process guidance.
Unfortunately, there are still some applicants who do not feel comfortable doing this for fear of being judged or negative bias being applied to their application assessment, we reassure applicants that this will not be the case, if we do not know, we cannot support or make the necessary adjustments to the process.
I have provided some examples below of what we have done to support applicants who have made us aware or requested additional support. We recognise it is not a one size fits all and we therefore look at how we can support on a case-by-case basis as everyone’s needs are different:
- Deaf applicant - we engaged with a speech to text organisation who ‘translated’ the conversation between the applicant and interviewers at the Professional Review Interview (PRI).
- Deaf applicant - we engaged with a British Sign Language interpreter who translated at PRI
- Applicant with ADHD - we allowed additional time at PRI. We spoke with the interviewers and the applicant prior, and agreed that the interviewers would keep the applicant focussed on the subject, should the conversation go off track, so expect to be pulled back to topic.
In the cases above and in many others, the applicants were successfully registered as Chartered Engineers.
The big picture
I work closely with Laura Norton Head of Equality Diversity and Inclusion at the IET and engage and seek advice from the IETs Neurodiversity Member Network, which is made up of IET members who have been diagnosed with a Neurodiverse condition or have experience of working/supporting individuals in that area.
One of those members is Helen Cumming, who shared her experience of applying for professional registration. Helen has dyslexia and ADHD.
Read her case study and watch the video below where she shares her registration journey and the support offered to her.
The IET is also working closely with the Engineering Council, reviewing processes and guidance for Professional Registration. Studies have shown that a third of engineers have a neurodiverse condition, typically Dyslexia, however the current registration process requires a lot of forms to be completed and most of the guidance is written. We are looking to change this and make the guidance and supporting information more accessible and available in a variety of formats.
I recognise that we are still only really scratching the surface and there is so much more that we need to do but I do believe that we are on the right path and that it is something that we want to do, I genuinely want the IET to be recognised as the most inclusive PEI.
How you can help
I/we are continually learning and setting ourselves targets as is highlighted in a report the IET published about Neurodiversity in engineering and technology . As part of that continual learning I would welcome your feedback. If you have any suggestions/solutions/experiences that can help make applying for registration or fellowship through the IET more accessible and inclusive, I would welcome your input.
I would also like to share details of a free webinar the IET are hosting on the 13th March about neuroinclusion, so If you’re looking to better understand neurodiversity, from inclusive hiring to getting the best out of your neurodiverse colleagues, tune in for practical advice and tips from those already making a difference. Or if you simply want to learn more about neurodiversity at work and how to best support your neurodiverse colleagues, visit our event page to register
If you are interested in joining the IET Neurodiversity Member Network please email inclusion@theiet.org or leave a comment below.
