A disabled woman who has been searching for a job since leaving school eight years ago wants employers to do more to help those with disabilities into work

Julie Harris, 24, suffers from polyplegia, meaning several of the muscles down the left hand side of her body do not work properly.

She has been trying to find employment in the Braintree area since she was 16 - but has been knocked back on many occasions.

Miss Harris, who lives in the town and has successfully held volunteer roles with the RSPCA in Braintree, said: “I feel unfairly treated because of my disability.

“Sometimes it feels like it is just me, as I know other people with disabilities who are in work.

“I have had so many interviews in the past but people seem to find excuses not to employ me.

“One employer just told me I would not be able to keep up.”

Last month Miss Harris went for a cleaning job at Stansted Airport, which was advertised through recruitment company JBS Recruitment.

While attending an interview, she was asked to complete an exam paper, for which she requested help to read and write. After making the request, Miss Harris said she was told she would not be able to do the job.

She said: “I feel I have been discriminated against in the past.

“I think employers should be encouraged more to give people a go - at least a trial run.

“People seem to think if you can’t do one thing, you cannot do anything, which is not the case.”

JBS Recruitment said the form was a Security Exam, or GSAT test, which employers are not legally allowed to assist with.

The company has apologised as this was not mentioned on the application form and promised to make changes to ensure everyone was made aware of the rules in advance. A spokesman said: “We did not intentionally wish to upset Miss Harris and have rectified procedures to ensure this situation does not occur again.”