Disclosing a disability is a personal matter and it is up to you whether you decide to tell the organisation and if so when to do this.
You have a right to the information about your disability being kept confidential and this information cannot be passed onto others without your permission. However, if you have been given opportunities to disclose your disability and you do not, you will not be able to make a claim for discrimination under the Equality Act.
Sometimes disclosing a disability may be of help. For example, your disability may have implications for your health and safety (or that of your colleagues) in your course or job. Disclosing your disability will also allow organisations to put adjustments in place in time for you to start your course/job, and may be an opportunity for you to describe your disability positively.
However, there may also be reasons why you would not feel comfortable disclosing a disability. You may have concerns about being discriminated against because of people’s pre-set ideas about disability or you simply do not wish to disclose your disability to a stranger.
The Careers and Employability Service has Careers & Employability Advisers who can provide guidance on disclosing your disability. We recommend that you book an appointment.