Work and disability
Disability Rights
It is against the law for employers to discriminate against you because of a disability. The equality Act 2010 protects you and covers all areas of the employment processes.
It is an employer's responsibility to make reasonable adjustments for you.
ACAS
ACAS provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.
They support good relationships between employers and employees. When things go wrong they help to resolve disputes and problems at work.
Access to Work
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if you have a -
- disability
- health or mental health condition
The Access to Work grant can help you with -
- employment
- staying in work
- self-employment
- starting a business
The grant is not for business start-up costs. Your circumstances determine how much you receive. The money does not have to be paid back and it will not affect your other benefits.
You can watch the DWP film about access to work with signing and subtitles on YouTube.
Remploy
Remploy improve the lives of disabled people and those with complex needs through the power of work. They believe that everyone has something to offer, so they work to find their strengths. Once they know your skills, they match them to proper jobs with chosen employers who help you to achieve.
Their mission statement is to transform society and the lives of disabled people by -
- creating equality in employment
- enabling them to achieve their ambitions and maximise their potential
- facilitating their access to sustainable employment and careers
Blind in Business
Blind in Business help blind and partially sighted graduates to compete with sighted candidates for good jobs. This is by providing help, support and training, and by removing barriers to success.
The can help you in the following areas -
- Employment Services - to help blind and partially sighted people into work. They provide training and resources for you and for employers to help get your career started.
- Training Services - courses to teach all the skills you need to reach your career ambitions. They have trained over 500 graduates, and offer courses for younger students, employers and carers too.
- Events - that can provide training, education, and resources to support you.
Scope
Support to Work offers advice to disabled people applying for jobs. This is a digital employment service supported with telephone or Skype. It is open to disabled people who: -
- are of working age
- are looking for paid work
- have access to the internet, telephone and email
- live in England or Wales.
Those accepted onto the programme you will get your own employment advisor. They will help you to improve your employability skills, CV writing and interview techniques. They will help you to develop a 12-week action plan for you to realise your goals.
Work Fit - Down's Syndrome Association (DSA)
WorkFit train employers about the learning associated with people with Down’s syndrome.
Supported employment is not an end destination but a stepping stone into a career.
The DSA want to move away from the concept of ‘giving people something to do’ to an approach which progresses employees towards new outcomes. This is through training, confidence building and skills development.
They recognise paid work is not right for everyone. The employment solution may include -
- Paid work
- Supported Apprenticeships or Internship
- Work Experience
- Voluntary Work
To find out more, visit the DSA website to find out more by using the link provided.