People unaware of disability scheme
Substantial numbers of disabled people are missing out on government support to help them work, MPs have found.
Inadequate funding and a lack of awareness of the Access to Work (AtW) programme means it is only reaching a minority of those that could be helped, the Work and Pensions Select Committee found.
It criticised the way government staff running the scheme treat workers trying to access it, accusing them of displaying an "unacceptable lack of disability awareness".
The committee also found that a clampdown on the pay the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will cover for support workers has threatened the employability of deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users.
A cap on the hourly rate has had a "profoundly detrimental" impact on many service users, particularly deaf people who need a significant amount of BSL interpretation to do their jobs, it said.
Dame Anne Begg, who chairs the committee, said: "DWP's recent approach to BSL is highly regrettable and betrays a lack of understanding of the BSL interpreting market and how BSL is utilised by deaf people at work. The costs of BSL are relatively high but it would be unacceptable for DWP to try to control costs by targeting a particular group in a way which threatens people's ability to stay in their jobs."
Around 35,450 workers received AtW support in 2013/14 at a total cost of £108 million.
MPs said it was not possible to estimate how many people the scheme could help but found there are "substantial" unmet needs.
They said there was a belief that it should be used to provide aids, equipment and transport for people with physical disabilities when it should also be used to help workers with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism.
It called for DWP staff to be given training after uncovering a raft of concerns about the way they dealt with people using the service.
The National Autistic Society said there was a "very serious lack of awareness" about the needs of autistic people and deaf BSL users complained of being treated in an "unfair or discriminatory" way.
Dame Anne said: "Access to Work should be a good news story for DWP. Where it works well, it transforms lives, allowing disabled people who might otherwise be excluded to participate in the world of work.
"But Access to Work's modest budget risks an approach which seeks to boost the numbers helped by AtW by bearing down on the awards of people whose support needs happen to be high cost, including those who use BSL.
"Access to Work should be about removing barriers for the full range of disabled people who can benefit from the programme, including the relatively few whose support costs are high."
A DWP spokesman said: "Access to Work helped over 35,000 disabled people to get or keep a job this year - an extra 5,000 on two years ago. This week we announced further improvements to the service and we have also committed an additional £15 million to ensure even more people can benefit.
"Over 250,000 more disabled people are in work this year compared to last. Access to Work and our Disability Confident Campaign are key parts of this, ensuring that disabled people have the same choice of jobs as everyone else."
Covid 19 Information
10 Indoor Activities for Autistic Children, Teenagers and Adults
Go To Link
Understandably, many are now on the hunt for ideal autism activities to pass the days and establish a new routine, which is why, this week, I have created a list of 10 ideal indoor activities for autistic children, teenagers and adults
Autism Sensory Room Ideas: Building a Safe Space for Autistic People
Go To Link
Regardless of space in your home or budget available, as well as all the additional know-how you need to turn your sensory relief green and start an indoor or outdoor sensory garden.
Care in a time of coronavirus - Using health direct payments to pay family members for care
Go To Link
This post has been written by Steve with the help of Alice Irving. Alice is a freshly qualified Barrister with a strong interest in public law.
Coronavirus - A Book for Children
Go To Link
a free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler
Coronavirus and SEND law - What does my child’s EHCP still provide?
Go To Link
What does your child’s hard-won EHCP mean now? What can it provide during the Coronavirus Lockdown and social distancing? Special Needs Jungle answer your questions here
View More
News
Crisis and Suicide Hotline
View Article
Helplines, crisis lines, and suicide hotlines allow you to communicate in your way and in your time. They help you to take charge and offer a channel that can free you to discuss matters that you might find too risky to share face to face.
Find a therapist near you
View Article
TherapyRoute empowers you to find your best fit psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, family therapist, counsellor, or other nearby mental health professional or organisation. We believe everyone should be able to access therapy and other mental health services. Our database is open to private practices, non-profits, and community services.
‘Elish and the Wicker Tale’
View Article
‘Elish and the Wicker Tale’ follows the life of Elish, a young boy who has trouble communicating and coping with the world around him. Elish would rather keep to himself, doing what he loves more than anything, crafting wicker artifacts
Go Beyond Holidays
View Article
Planning, arranging and operating rewarding, exciting, fun and safe holidays for adults and children with learning disabilities, learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, autism, aspergers and people who need additional support on their holidays.
Sleep Help For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Article
See how autism spectrum disorder might affect one’s sleep, what are the most prominent treatment options, the “do’s” and the “don’ts” as well as tips and other useful resources to tackle sleep issues when diagnosed with ASD
View More
Facebook
Autismlinks
Go To Link
Who to talk to, where to go, lots of helpful advice all in one place
The National Autistic Society
Go To Link
We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism.
A.S.P.E.C.S. (Autistic and Aspergers Persons of Every Category of (Queer) Sexuality)
Go To Link
Are you Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or just questioning your sexuality, AND have been diagnosed as having an Autistic or related condition (Aspergers Syndrome, Tourettes Syndrome, Autism, etc.)?
ACE Adult Community Education
Go To Link
We aim to provide quality education and training opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs...
Act for Autism
Go To Link
Act for Autism is a non for profit organisation who provide autism awareness training for Schools, Health care professionals, Universities and Parents. We also create projects that help to give a voice to autistic individuals
View More
Blogs
ASD Teacher Blog
Go To Link
The latest blog posts with information, resources and strategies for teaching children with autism. More articles can be found in the top menu bar under 'blog posts'.
Do Sensory Processing Issues Get Better Over Time?
Go To Link
They may not disappear, but they usually become milder as kids mature, and learn to manage them. Beth Arky
Girl on the Spectrum
Go To Link
Blog dedicated to advocacy and raising awareness
How to Explain Autism to Typical Kids (and Lots of Others While You're At It)
Go To Link
Autism awareness and acceptance are good things. The more the average person knows about autism, the better it will be for the community — especially our autistic members.
The Autism Page
Go To Link
A mum sharing information and resources related to autism. Including posts on picture exchange communication system, education, health and care plans, disability living allowance, attention autism, visual aids and social stories
Youtube
The National Autistic Society
Go To Link
We are the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism.
Act for Autism
Go To Link
Act for Autism is a non for profit organisation who provide autism awareness training for Schools, Health care professionals, Universities and Parents. We also create projects that help to give a voice to autistic individuals in order to promote self
Autistic Genius
Go To Link
Tom is an Autism Advocate who uses social media to raise Autism Understanding for anyone seeking information. He has made over 270 videos all on the subject of Autism on how it can affect my life and others lives.
Beechwood College - A Practical Approach to Autism
Go To Link
A short animation which was designed and created by Thomas Cotran - A Practical Approach to Autism
View More
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Go To Link
Autism, matron, cycling - Listen in pop-out player Includes your calls with your experiences of living with autism
Positively Autistic Radio Shows
Go To Link
Each day of the week, we run a radio show, which is based around autism each of different topics, presented to you by different hosts from around the world.
Stepping Stones Across The Airwaves
Go To Link
Stepping Stones Radio is now broadcast live on ALLFM 96.9 in Levenshulme, Manchester, for a weekly one-hour LIVE radio show!
The A Word
Go To Link
Family drama with a boy with autism at its heart
This Morning Show - Iris & her cat Thula
Go To Link
Story of unbreakable bond between an autistic little gilre and her cat Thula.
View More