Access to Work, sign language, BSL
MPs take evidence on employment support for disabled people
28 August 2014
The Work and Pensions Committee hears from users of Access to Work and representative groups as part of its inquiry into employment support for disabled people.
- Parliament TV: watch the session on Access to Work
- Read the transcript of the session
- Inquiry: Access to Work
- Work and Pensions Committee
This evidence session is available on BBC Parliament and on the BBC’s Democracy Live website with British Sign Language interpretation.
The Committee issued terms of reference for this inquiry on 12 May 2014.
Witnesses
Wednesday 3 September 2014, Wilson Room, Portcullis House
At 9.30am
- Andy Rickell, Chief Executive Officer, Action on Disability and Work UK
- Fazilet Hadi, RNIB Director of Engagement
- Marije Davidson, Equality and Diversity Advisor, York St. John University
From 10.30am
- Nicola Oliver, IPS Project Coordinator, Centre for Mental Health
- Ciara Lawrence, Campaigns Assistant and Ailis Hardy, Staff Development Coordinator, Mencap
- Rachel Brown, Administrative Assistant, Notting Hill Housing, and Susan Askew, Workplace Support Consultant, National Autistic Society
Purpose of the session
The session will consider:
- DWP’s administration of the Access to Work programme and the level of customer service provided to users of the scheme by DWP
- The types of practical support offered—and not offered—through Access to Work and the transparency and consistency of the decision-making process
- The impacts—particularly on deaf British Sign Language users—of the "30 rule hour" for support workers, and alternative options for reducing the costs of support, and
- The particular needs of people with more "hidden" disabilities, such as mental health conditions, learning disabilities and developmental impairments, and how well Access to Work currently supports those needs.
The Committee plans to hold two further evidence sessions for this inquiry; these are provisionally scheduled as follows
- Wednesday 15 October at 9.30am, venue at the House of Commons TBC
- Wednesday 29 October at 9.30am, venue at the House of Commons TBC
Additional information
The terms of reference for the inquiry have also been issued in EasyRead format and British Sign Language.