Access to Work
Access to Work is a government scheme that provides practical advice and support to people with disabilities or long-term health conditions and their employers to help overcome barriers in the workplace.
Access to Work can help you;
- Hire people with a disability or long-term health condition who have the skills you need.
- Retain an employee who develops a disability or long-term health condition.
- Show that you care and value your employees by having good employment policies and practices
What can Access to Work pay for?
Access to Work can pay a financial grant towards the cost of any necessary support.
For example, it can help pay for;
- Specialist equipment to meet a person’s particular requirements in work, such as voice activated software.
- Adaptations to premises or to existing equipment.
- Help with extra travel costs incurred because of a person's disability.
To find out more about Access to Work visit www.gov.uk/access-to-work.
The benefits of Access to Work are:
- Increased employment opportunities: Access to Work can provide funding for equipment, training, or support, enabling disabled people to access a wider range of jobs.
- Improved quality of life: Employment can boost self-esteem, confidence, and financial stability, leading to a better quality of life.
- Greater independence: Working can foster independence and reduce reliance on benefits.
- Enhanced social inclusion: Employment can help disabled people feel more connected to their community and reduce social isolation.
- Access to a wider talent pool: By supporting disabled employees, businesses can tap into a diverse range of skills and perspectives.
- Improved productivity and innovation: A diverse workforce can lead to increased creativity and problem-solving abilities.
- Enhanced reputation: Employers who demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity can improve their public image and attract top talent.
- Reduced turnover: Investing in the well-being of disabled employees can lead to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover rates.
- Economic growth: A more inclusive labour market can contribute to economic growth and prosperity.
- Reduced reliance on benefits: Increased employment among disabled people can reduce the burden on the welfare system.
- Social inclusion: Promoting employment opportunities for disabled people can help to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Case Study
My employee has a visual impairment and I wanted to ensure that they had the equipment needed to carry out their duties. I requested a workplace assessment through Access To Work, the online form was easy to complete. A few weeks later I received a phone call from an Access To Work Advisor confirming that my employee was employed etc, an assessor visited the workplace, met with myself and my employee and we talked about the role and what equipment maybe beneficial. I received a report from Access To Work with recommendations and we purchased equipment which both the employee and I thought would enable them to be independent in the workplace and complete tasks the same as their colleagues. Access To Work is a great resource for employers to access.