Being disabled need not be a barrier to employment, though there may be some initial challenges to overcome. Here is some information to help.
If you are disabled and starting to look for work it may be worth thinking about doing some voluntary work first. This can help you to discover if you are ready to move into paid employment and how that might fit with any care / other needs.
Voluntary work has many benefits. It can help to develop new skills and experience, which are also helpful for your CV, as you can highlight your experience and the contribution you will make to a new team in a new workplace.
https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering and www.navca.org.uk - promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for the volunteer and the wider community.
www.do-it.org.uk - information for people looking to do voluntary work in preparation for going into paid employment, plus opportunities in local areas.
Your local Community Volunteer Service or volunteer bureau will have useful information, advice and details of local voluntary work opportunities.
It is important to take advice, before starting voluntary or paid work, to find out if this would affect any benefits that you are receiving. It may also be possible to do permitted work, whilst receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA), but there are complex rules about this, and you need to explore these before undertaking work, to ensure you don’t get into difficulty.
The government’s website has useful guidance about the work you can do while claiming ESA.
Disability Rights UK have a guide for people with a newly acquired health condition or disability about the work, training and educational options and support available to anyone who needs advice and/or signposting. The guide, number F40, called ‘Get back to where we do belong’ was commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and endorsed by Professor Dame Carol Black.
It is available here.
To help you to decide what you want to do, start by identifying your skills, strengths and interests, and be realistic about things you find difficult. It may help to talk these over with someone who knows you well. Use your strengths and interests as the start of preparing a CV (a document which supports your search for employment by outlining your skills, experience and achievements).
If you are already in employment you may want to consider joining a trade union. This would provide you with support and guidance if you encounter difficulties in connection with your job. Some unions also have a union learning representative who may be able to help with training and development. Find more about this on the TUC website.
Remember that employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for employees who have a disability. A few examples would be:
Larger workplaces will usually have an Occupational Health department or service. These can be useful in suggesting and arranging ‘reasonable adjustments’, or providing advice if health issues have an impact on your employment.
If you need extra support to do your job, such as specialised equipment, or have extra costs to travel to work owing to your disability, you might be able to obtain help through Access to Work, a government scheme. Find out more here.
It is your choice whether and when you talk to people about your disability, including with your employer. Do think about the advantages of being open, such as getting the support you need, access to specialist equipment and external support. Your employer will not be able to make workplace adjustments if they don’t know that any are required.
Employment support services can sometimes be accessed to keep disabled people in work, or to enable someone to start work.
The purpose of the Access to Work Scheme is to help people with an illness or disability gain, remain or progress in their ability to work. Employers have a duty to make “Reasonable Adjustments,” for their employees and there are legal remedies that you can take under the Equality Act if they fail to do this. If, however, the additional support you need is beyond the scope of the employer, you can apply to Access to Work for help. Access to Work can help to meet needs in addition to any “Reasonable Adjustments” that an employer has undertaken.
What Will Access to Work Pay For?
Under the scheme, you can get a grant towards things like:
You can also get help if you work from home and need aids or adaptations there.
Who Can Apply to Access to Work?
How Is the Grant Paid?
The grant can be paid as a reimbursement to the applicant or the employer once they have paid for the item, adaptation, or service.
Impact on benefits
Access to Work grants do not affect benefit entitlements but Employment & Support Allowance claimants can only receive a grant if they are doing “Permitted Work.”
Other Issues
How to Apply for Access to Work
You can apply online https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
Access to Work helpline
Telephone: 0800 121 7479
Textphone: 0800 121 7579
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Access to Work (Northern Ireland)
The Access to Work Scheme in Northern Ireland Is similar but, not identical to that in England and Wales.
Access to Work (NI), like in England & Wales helps with the practical problems caused by a long-term illness or disability. It offers advice and helps to meet the needs of an individual in a particular job or getting to and from work.
Access to Work (NI) can help towards the cost of:
The application has to be made by the employee who needs assistance. However, a work coach can contact your local Access to Work team for you or give you their contact details. Subsequently, an Access to Work adviser will usually visit your place of work and advise on the most cost-effective option available.
Help will be approved for as long as it is needed up to a maximum of three years.
Apply to Access to Work (NI)
For more information and to apply for help through this programme, contact the Department for Communities.
You can also contact a work coach in your local Jobs and Benefits office.
If you use sign language:
You can use British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL) to contact Access to Work (NI). To use the video relay service:
Disability Employment Advisors, based at your local Jobcentre, can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability friendly employers in your area.
They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist or carry out an “employment assessment” asking you more about your skills and experience and what kind of roles you are interested in.
The Work and Health programme is designed for people who may find it difficult to find or keep a job, and aims to identify your needs and provide the necessary support. You can access this via your local Job Centre.
Disability Rights UK’s guide Doing Careers Differently includes lots of advice about approaching employment, getting the skills you need, and finding a job that suits you.
Click here, for more information.
Under the Equality Act 2010, an employer cannot normally ask you about your health or disability history until after they have made a job offer. This means that they cannot turn you down on health grounds without your knowledge.
However employers can ask you, before a job offer is made, questions directly relevant to:
You can find out more from the Equality and Human Rights Commission at www.equalityhumanrights.com
The disabled worker element is a significant benefit for disabled working people who work at least 16 hours per week. To qualify for this benefit you have to satisfy two tests, one relating to your disability, and one to your receipt of a qualifying benefit.
For more information go to www.disabilityrightsuk.org/guide-tax-credits and https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator
Disabled people frequently have to deal with enormous challenges, which provide extra coping skills and resilience. Emphasising these extra skills and life experience may set you apart from the crowd. Don’t give up on your dreams, but be flexible and realistic when aiming for them.
