Access to Work

The process can be long and difficult and it is important that you, as an employer, understand that this can make the deaf or disabled person concerned very vulnerable. One person told us of the delay and its implications:

In December 2002 I put in an application for  Access to Work as I was starting a new job. However, as the process was so long I gave up the job and started another job. My application was still in progress and I kept Access to Work informed. I was finally accepted and in March 2003 I had my assessment. I received the report later that month which stated the results and recommendations. I received some of the equipment in June. I needed a workstation assessment which I requested. This happened in July 2003. However, I did not receive the desk until January 2004.

In my opinion my application to Access to Work made me a target of disability discrimination and bullying behaviour within my work place.

On a positive note, Access to Work has changed my working life and given me a lot of confidence in my own ability. The equipment made me more independent and allowed me to write reports to a more professional standard.