Access to Employment

Access to Work Scheme

Access to Work is available to help overcome the practical problems some disabled people may experience in work or getting to work. Through Access to Work, Jobcentre Plus can make a grant towards the approved costs that arise. For example, it can help pay for:

  • A communicator for deaf people or those who have a hearing impairment and need a communicator with them at an interview
  • Special equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit particular work needs arising from disability
  • Alterations to premises or working environment if needed because of a disability
  • Help towards the cost of getting to work if a disabled person is unable to use public transport

The Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) at your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office can put you in touch with a specialist Access to Work Adviser who can tell you more about how Access to Work can support you.

The DEA at the Loughborough Office is Naomi Rodgers on 01509 831356.
The Disability Service Team for the East Midlands Region can be contacted on 0115 989 5772.

The Disability Symbol

Disability Symbol logo

The Disability Symbol has been developed so that employers can show their commitment to good practice in employing disabled people. It also enables disabled people to know which employers will be positive about their abilities. Employers who use the symbol make five commitments relating to recruitment; retaining employees who become disabled; consulting disabled employees; developing greater awareness of disability; and reviewing progress.

The commitments are:

  • To interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities
  • To ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities
  • To make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
  • To take action to ensure that all employees develop and appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work
  • Each year, to review the five commitments and what has been achieved, to plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans

Charnwood Borough Council have adopted the Disability Symbol and it is visible on all job advertisements and all application packs that are sent out.

If you would like more details about the symbol, or advice on how to adopt it, contact the Disability Employment Adviser, Naomi Rodgers, at your local Jobcentre Plus office on 01509 831356.

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