Access to Work - Grants to Help Disabled People Into Work

ACCESS TO WORK - is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. There are two main types of Access to Work provision: ‘Assessments’ and ‘Elements’. Assessments involve exploring workplace-related barriers to employment and making recommendations on how these can be overcome. Elements are intended to supplement the reasonable adjustments that employers are required to make under the Equality Act 2010

If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, you can:

• talk to your employer about changes they must make in your workplace
• get extra help from Access to Work, including mental health support

An Access to Work grant can pay for:

• special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings
• help getting to and from work

You might not get a grant if you already get certain benefits.

The money does not have to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits.

What you'll get

You’ll be offered support based on your needs. This may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace, or getting to and from work.

The grant can help pay for items or services you need, including:

• adaptations to the equipment you use
• special equipment or software

British Sign Language interpreters and video relay service support, lip speakers or note takers

• adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
• taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
• disability awareness training for your colleagues
• the cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job

Access to Work can also help assess whether your needs can be met through reasonable adjustments by your employer.

ABC Note: From the NHS - almost half of working-age people with disabilities in the UK are employed – but this figure should be higher. With the right support, many more could join their ranks.

If you have a disability, you may be worried it'll limit your job prospects or you won't be able to find work.

But there's lots of guidance, support and training to help you into employment.

Government-backed schemes can help, while awareness-raising initiatives are challenging the stereotypes about people with disabilities to make sure everyone has a fair chance of working.

The charity Leonard Cheshire Disability runs a scheme called Change100, which brings together the UK's top employers and talented disabled students.

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