Services for People with Disabilities Employment Supports

FÁS Services All FÁS Services are open to People with Disabilities and access is through our Employment Services Gateway which provides a: Vocational Guidance Service Refers People with Disabilities to vocational training either via Specialist Training Providers or FÁS mainline training, as appropriate Information and referral on a range of Disability Employment Supports available to both jobseekers and private sector employers

Summary of Employment Grants and Schemes 1.Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) 2.Reasonable Accommodation Fund incorporating: Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant (WEAG) Job Interview Interpreter Grant (JIIGS) Personal Reader Grant (PRGS) Employee Retention Grant Scheme (ERGS). 3. Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme (DATS) 4. Supported Employment Programme

Wage Subsidy Scheme  A subsidy for a productivity shortfall perceived to be in excess of 20% when compared to a non disabled peer  The employee must work a minimum of 21 up to a maximum of 39 hours per week  The employer pays 100% of the gross wage as advertised to the employee  FÁS will subsidise the employer at a rate of €5.30per hour

2. Reasonable Accomodation Fund incorporating: Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant Job Interview Interpreter Grant Personal Reader Grant Employee Retention Grant Scheme

WORKPLACE EQUIPMENT/ ADAPTATION GRANT (WEAG) Its aim is to counter the additional costs of adapting workplace premises or equipment arising from the individual’s disability, including those in self-employment. It should not be used to provide support usually provided by employers or supports required under legislation e.g. Health & Safety

General Principles WEAGs  Current limit towards the cost of adaptations or equipment is up to €6,350  Can be used to upgrade adaptive equipment, which may have been funded previously  Applications in excess of €6,350 are considered on an individual basis  Not intended to meet the costs of setting up and running a business  It is treated as a grant  Part of the grant may be used for training in the use of the grant-aided equipment

JOB INTERVIEW INTERPRETER GRANT (JIIG) Payable to a person who is deaf, hard of hearing or has a speech impairment, attending a job interview or induction programme  FÁS will pay a fee, as per the standard rate, for a 3 hrs period. Travel costs are at FÁS rates for consultants  No limit to the number of times an individual can avail of the grant  Interpreters can be professionally qualified or a family member

PERSONAL READER GRANT Paid to blind or visually impaired people in work, who need assistance with job related reading Can apply if:-  In work and need help with job related reading  Recently become visually impaired and are in danger of losing their job  Going back to an employer to do new or different work  Promotion prospects are restricted by reading difficulties A fee per hour is paid, for an agreed period, up to 640 hours per annum

EMPLOYEE RETENTION GRANT SCHEME Purpose is to assist employers to retain at work, employees who acquire a disability through illness or injury.  They can be offered re-training so they can continue in their current role or undertake a new role, using modified techniques  Two Stages  Stage 1 Developing a Retention Strategy – 90% of costs to a max of €2,500.  Stage 2 Implementing a Retention Strategy – 90% of costs to a max of €12,500

DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING SUPPORT SCHEME (DATSS) It is a grant towards the cost of Disability Awareness training for employees.  Grants of 90% of eligible training costs are available to organisations for the first year, 80% eligible cost thereafter.  A limit of €20,000 payable to an organisation in any one calendar year.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME Open Labour Market Programme which provides on-the-job support to a worker with a disability A job coach -  helps jobseeker identify skills & interests  assists in finding suitable employment  analyses the job & plans for supports  assists the employee to develop the technical & social skills required

FÁS Training Options All FÁS courses are Certified by either FETAC, City & Guilds or National Craft Guild Each course has work experience as part of the overall assessment Courses vary depending on job situation and current economic demands

F Á S Training Options Mainline Training Courses Specialist Training Courses Blended Learning Training Courses E-College

HOW TO APPLY CALL TO YOUR LOCAL FÁS OFFICE OR TRAINING CENTRE AND ASK TO MEET WITH AN EMPLOYMENT OFFICER COMPLETE FÁS REGISTRATION FORM AGREE CAREER/TRAINING PLAN AWAIT CALL

Further information can be obtained:  At THANK YOU