Supporting disabled learners: what happens after graduation?

After graduation there are opportunities to spread your wings in your new physiotherapy career


CSP member Bex Francis shares her experience of entering the profession later in life, and of working with a hearing impairment.

It is important that prospective employers demonstrate equity in selecting candidates for interviews and develop inclusive interview processes.  New physiotherapy graduates can facilitate this by:

  • Reflecting positively on your experiences and achievements throughout your course. Aim to demonstrate to potential employers any qualities that would be regarded as desirable and distinctive to you and your experiences.
  • Getting practical experience of the recruitment process to develop your confidence, for example mock and virtual interviews.
  • Think about how to respond positively to questions you may get relating to disability and also remember that you are not obligated to disclose your disability as part of the recruitment process.
  • Understanding the duty employers have to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
  • Consider Access to Work support.
  • Ask potential employers about their preceptorship programme which should give more insight about the support that could be available to you to help with your confidence and personal growth.


Lecturer Mandy Pike on her experience of teaching physiotherapy with a visual impairment.

New graduates can seek support in their career from the DisAbility network, from workplace union support for CSP members and our bite-size guides. 

Many members are advancing in their careers and enjoying representing the physiotherapy profession as part of teams in all sectors of healthcare.

Guidance around the knowledge, skills, behaviors required during this stage of your career can be found within the CSP Physiotherapy Framework which can also help you to identify any professional development needs.

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