Why is Access to Work so Important?
I have absolutely no impartiality in answering this question, as without the Access to Work (ATW) Scheme, I just wouldn’t have been able to work. The Scheme has enabled me to seek employment, knowing that with its support, I could do the job as well as anyone else. I wasn’t asking the employer for special consideration, as ATW put me on a level playing field.
ATW provided me with expensive equipment such as a screen reader for my computer, paid for training on using equipment and paid for a Support Worker to assist me to access information and working environments. The confidence this gave me was incalculable, enabling me to progress in my career, change jobs and show myself as job ready. I’m sure it also gave my employers confidence that I could do the job.
Of course, employers had to make reasonable adjustments for me, as required by the Equality Act, and this was often work in progress. For example, I needed my own desk, disability awareness from colleagues, information in accessible formats, occasional taxi travel and staff events that included me. There’s no doubt that employers must get better at making adjustments but ATW is a completely different order of support and without it some of us just can’t join or remain in work.
In the last year or so, we’ve seen Disabled people having our ATW cut, leading some of us to lose jobs or not secure employment in the first place. How does this make sense for a Government that wants more Disabled people to work? Ministers say that there has been a surge in applications, which has resulted in rationed and reduced support. Rather than celebrating an increase in Disabled people seeking work, the Government is worried about exceeding the budget. Is this a credible position for a Government that proposes to spend an additional £3.8 billion on getting people into work? Wouldn’t a better response be to spend some of this money on ATW - a scheme which, if it provides the appropriate support, can claim a 100% success rate in supporting Disabled people to secure and retain work?