Employment

Access To Work
Disability Discrimination Act
Disablement Employment Advisers
Employment Service
Halesworth Recycling Project

ACCESS TO WORK
In June 1994 the "Access to Work Scheme" was introduced to assist people with disabilities to get into work. It applies to any job, part time or full time, permanent or temporary. You do not have to be registered as disabled to be able to access the scheme, but your disability or health problem should be one which affects the kind of work you can do and be likely to last for twelve months or longer.

For example Access to Work can pay for, or towards:

• a communicator if you are deaf or are hard of hearing (you can have a communicator at a job interview, as well as in work)

• a part-time reader, or assistant at work if you are blind or have a visual impairment

• a support worker if you need practical help, either at work or getting to work

• equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular needs

• alterations to premises or a working environment

• adaptations to a car, or help towards taxi fares or other transport costs if you cannot use public transport to get to work.

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT
All employers with fifteen or more employees are required to have an Equal Opportunities policy which does not discriminate against people with disabilities. For advice contact RADAR Tel: 020 7250 3222 or your local DIAL or Disability Advice Service.

DISABLEMENT EMPLOYMENT ADVISERS (DEA)
The DEA at your local Employment Service can advise on the following:

• how best to find the most suitable job, training or the Job Introduction Scheme, which offers a chance to try out a job for an introductory period

• individual, practical help using Access to Work and work preparation including job trials with an employer and the chance to try out equipment

• training to update and gain new skills - like Youth Training, Training for Work and work opportunities under Supported Placements (SPS) or jobs in supported employment.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
Staff at the Employment Service are trained to help people with disabilities back to work. There is specialist help from Disability Employment Advisers who can assist with assessing your abilities and help find suitable work. Contact your local Job Centre.

HALESWORTH RECYCLING PROJECT
Broadway Drive, Norwich Road, Halesworth, IP19 8QR. Tel: 01986 874074
Helps people with disabilities to obtain skills in restoring furniture and in other work areas, in order to help them gain confidence to obtain future employment in the workplace.