Action on Disability and Work UK 1 28 th May 2014 UWE Eva Fielding-Jackson

 Action on Disability and Work UK (ADWUK):  ADWUK is an organisation that aims to support disabled people into employment.  To narrow the gap in the unemployment figures between disabled and non disabled people, by:  Changing employers’ attitudes to employing disabled people  Equipping disabled people with the employability skills they need  Giving advice to disabled people and employers on all these issues Action on Disability and Work UK

3  The Drop-in Work Club supports disabled people looking for work. »Our Advice Service provides support to: »Disabled people looking for work, those who want to stay in work or to set up their own business. »Employers looking to maximise the full potential of a diverse workforce »Total Disability Solutions provides expertise on equality & diversity through consultancy and training. We work with employers to increase the diversity of their workforce and to provide high quality customer service to disabled people. »Access to Work…

Access to Work is funding provided by the Government to support disabled people in the work place.  ADWUK’s Access to Work project is funded by the Office of Disability Issues (ODI)  It is a one year project that will come to an end on the 30 th of June this year. Action on Disability and Work UK

 Are any of you here today a disabled employee receiving Access to Work support?  Who knows about Access to Work?  Is there anyone who does not know about Access to Work? Or how it works?

Action on Disability and Work UK  We mentioned that it is a Government fund to support disabled people in employment. Why?  For every £1.00 Government put in they get back £1.48  How?  Who can get it?  What kind of support can you get?  Can every disabled person in employment get it? Why?  Can we appeal?  Why?

 A person may be able to get Access to Work if  He/she is disabled or has a long term health condition  Aged 16 or over  In a paid job  Unemployed and about to start a job  Unemployed and about to start a Work Trial  Self-employed  You have issues that prevent you from doing your job or parts of your job  Live in England, Scotland or Wales (not NI)

 You cannot get an Access to Work grant for voluntary work.  You cannot get a grant if your impairment or health condition does not have a big effect on what you do each day.  However, you can if it has a long-term effect on how well you can do your job. For example, your mental health condition affects your ability to do your job and means you need support to:  start a new job  reduce absence from work  stay in work Then you can apply

 Support for a disabled employee is free if:  He/she applied within the first 6 weeks of starting a new job  If he/she works for a small employer (with less than 50 employees)  If he/she needs support in term of support work, or travel to and from work or in work  A mentor to support a disabled employee

 Equipment  Adjustable furniture

Adjustable office equipment

Support worker

Adaptations to buildings NOT FREE – cost sharing applies

Adaptations to cars

Adaptations to computers for people who are visually impaired

Specially adapted wheelchair

Specially adapted chairs

Someone to support you

BSL Interpreter

Support for people with mental health issues

Adaptation tools for people who use wheelchairs NOT FREE - cost sharing applies

Ramps – cost sharing may apply

Travel to and from work and when in work

Support worker at work

Sign Video

 There are many other forms of support available from Access to Work. If you need support to be able to do your job, then do ask for it.  It has to support you as a disabled person to do your job, not your employer

 You can on:  Phone:  Skype: adwuk100  MyFriend: