Case Study 4D is a performer and writer who is deaf and requires interpreter support. She has found Access to Work efficient, responsive and flexible in their approach. D took time to write up a projected plan of what she would need over the coming year in terms of support and received authorisation quickly. She says that occasionally she has had to send them reminders by e-mail or textphone if they don’t action something straight away but that generally they are very good. She has had ad hoc needs, for instance for interpreters to travel with her when she works abroad and has been able to negotiate a solution with Access to Work. For instance, for one trip, Access to Work paid half and her employer paid half. Access to Work contributed to the cost of interpreters for work commitments but not to cover social or ‘down’ time. D says that it made a real difference to her, personally and professionally: ‘I have done tours abroad before but that was the first time with an interpreter and it was absolutely brilliant. I could be professional and present myself in the best light and my morale was very high. I did some good work there. `my morale had been very low on previous touring trips with no communication support: I would find myself left out and very tired and stressed’. D says that Access to Work has enabled her, not only to work, but to share her experiences and skills and give something back to people. She says she ‘can now access rehearsals and script meetings. My development as an artist has accelerated in the three years that I have been getting Access to Work. I've grown - professionally and artistically’. Moral of the story NEWSFLASH 
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