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Many organisations in the disability field are reluctant to employ disabled people, says Julie Turner.

In the summer of 1987 I, like many other graduates, began my search for employment. I was uncertain about what reception I would receive as a potential employee, as I have a speech impairment.

So it was something of a surprise when, after only my third interview, I was offered a job as a centre worker in a resource centre for people with disabilities. I worked there for five years, during which I was promoted to assistant manager and obtained a diploma in counselling. I then took a career break to start and raise my family.

When my youngest started pre-school, I decided my best route back into employment would be voluntary work. I approached several centres for people with disabilities and, given my qualifications, experience and abilities, I did not anticipate that this would be a problem.

How wrong I was. The responses I received included: "You can only become a volunteer after you have been a user"; "We do not think this is a suitable placement for you"; and "We do not need any volunteers at the moment". I imagine people would have responded very differently if I had been able-bodied with everything I have to offer.

I challenged one of these organisations and found that the real issue was my speech impairment. It took all my powers of persuasion to be allowed to give it a go. Interestingly enough, at a review meeting six weeks later it was no longer considered to be a problem.

Over the past six months I have applied for numerous paid positions in the disability field, all of which have been well within my capabilities. I have a 100-per-cent success rate in obtaining interviews and have been told by my employment adviser that the quality of my applications is the best he has ever seen.

While I have had some really positive experiences from a few organisations for people with disabilities, I have also had some dreadful experiences with organisations that should have known better.

I can't help but wonder whether non-disabled people in the profession feel threatened by people like me who can use personal experience to be more understanding and empathetic towards the user group.

There's meant to have been progress for disabled people in recent years, but this does not appear to have included people with speech impairments. Some feedback I received referred negatively to my communication skills. I pointed out that just because I have a speech impairment does not mean I have poor communication skills.

Having had such a positive experience in 1987, I am shocked and disappointed to find how prejudiced and discriminating those working in the disability field are today. I don't need a training scheme - I need employers who are not prejudiced and don't switch off as soon as I start talking.

Julie Turner is a disabled service user and works in social care