What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a scheme that is administered by Job Centre Plus to enable disabled people to fully participate in the workplace. This scheme will pay towards the costs of support such as a BSL/English interpreter or a Notetaker and also equipment like a minicom/textphone.

What can Access to Work do for you?

Access to Work (AtW) can:

• Pay for an interpreter for a Deaf person attending an interview
• Provide support through an Access to Work adviser, who can advise the disabled person and the employer about what extra employment costs could be granted

If the employee is newly appointed, Access to Work will fund up to 100% of the approved costs for the support and equipment. If the employee is already working, Access to Work will fund up to 80% of the approved cost after the first £300.

The employer pays for the cost of the services and then claims this back from Access to Work.

The agreement is for a maximum of 3 years, after which it is reviewed and then discussed again.

Quick tips for Employers

Finally here are some quick tips for employers:

• Produce guidelines for providing BSL/English interpreters
• Consult with deaf people who work for and use your services
• Inform deaf staff and the public about the availability of interpreters

Further Information

If you would like further information about Access to Work, please contact your local Job Centre Plus office (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk) and ask to speak with the Disability Employment Adviser.

For information about the Act www.dwp.gov.uk/dda

Please see the terptree tips:

Some quick do's and don'ts
Tips on how to work with a Deaf person in a training course
Tips on how to work with an interpreter