I agree these changes are going to impact negatively on disabled people not just in the HE sector but in most organisations and businesses.
I would also suggest that ECU and HEOON also bring this to the attention of the EHRC. Would be interested to know the Commission's take on this.
Regards
Anne
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Caroline Moughton
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 3:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Recent Access to Work changes - equipment list
Dear All,
Is this an area where HEEON could represent the views of member HEIs to JobCentre Plus?
I am also concerned that the quality of the assessment process is being undermined. My experience is that in the past once initial contact was made, an assessor normally visited the individual to assess the demands of the job and give advice about reasonable adjustments. The information on Access to Work <http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347> on the revised DirectGov website now suggests that in most cases the advisor can decide support over the phone with the individual and employer. This is difficult for individuals who have recently become disabled, who are moving into a new role or who are not aware of the options available.
Best wishes
Caroline
Caroline Moughton
Staff Disability Adviser
L 3.12, Library,
Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus,
Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP
01865 483148 [log in to unmask]
On 19 October 2010 15:06, Louise Pepper-Kernot <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear all
I have now got permission to distribute the list of equipment which Access to Work now see as 'standard' equipment to be provided by the employer, and which will no longer fall under the Access to Work remit. Under these new rules, of the 5 equipment reports that I received last week, none would be covered by Access to Work under the new rules.
Furthermore, Access to Work seems to have changed its very purpose and aim, narrowing the scope of their remit, which is also worrying. This is demonstrated by the following:
. Access to Work stated as part of a presentation in March 2009 that one of the aims of the programme is:
"To offer grants towards additional costs incurred in the workplace as a direct result of a customer's disability".
. However, a recent statement from Access to Work suggests that they have changed this policy stating:
"It is the legal responsibility of employers to provide reasonable adjustments to allow disabled staff to do their work. The Access to Work programme is to provide funding for equipment and support that would be above and beyond what is reasonable for an employer to supply".
I am extremely concerned about the impact of this change and cannot understand how drastically cutting the funding available to employers to meet the additional costs of employing disabled people fits in with the government's policy aim of reducing the numbers of people claiming ESA so that they can return to work.
Another major concern held is the air of secrecy around these changes and the speed of their introduction. It has been extremely difficult to find out clear information about the changes, and respond to these.
This is the second major backwards leap that Access to Work has taken this year. The changes in April 2010 to increase the employer contribution for businesses such as the University of Manchester from £300 to £1000 were also introduced without any notification. It does not appear that Access to Work realise that asking for increased funding from department budgets which are already stretched by proposed HEI cuts will surely prove disastrous for an already under-represented group of people. These policy changes, taken individually, can be seen to have a negative enough impact on disabled people; together, they are potentially disastrous.
Any thoughts about how to proceed?!
Many thanks
Louise
-----Original Message-----
From: Caruso Enrico JCP NATIONAL ACCESS TO WORK [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 October 2010 16:40
To: Louise Pepper-Kernot
Subject: RE: Recent Access to Work changes
Louise,
It is the legal responsibility of employers to provide reasonable adjustments to allow disabled staff to do their work. The Access to Work programme is to provide funding for equipment and support that would be above and beyond what is reasonable for an employer to supply. This list (see attached) is to give guidance to our staff so that they know what equipment employers are responsible for.
Rick Caruso
Senior National External Engagement Manager National Access to Work Delivery Team Jobcentre Plus
2 Duchess Place
Hagley Road
Birmingham
B16 8NS
Tel: 01214525303
Mob:07920 783928
Email: [log in to unmask]
--
Caroline Moughton
Staff Disability Adviser and Equal Opportunity & Diversity Co-ordinator
L 3.12, Library,
Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus,
Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP
01865 483148 [log in to unmask]
I work part-time and am normally available all day on Mon, Tue, Wed a.m. and Thur.
Visit our Equality and Diversity webpages <http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/hr/eod/index.html>
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