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Disability Continued

(Picture: RNIB Wales Logo)

(Picture: Employers' forum on disability logo)

Picture: Positive about Disabled people logo)

Work Preparation

Work Preparation is an individually tailored programme designed to help people with health conditions or a disability return to work following a long period of sickness or unemployment. It can also help people who are at risk of losing their job because of their disability by helping them to overcome difficulties that are affecting their work.

Work Preparation aims to help you overcome obstacles that are preventing you from finding suitable employment. The programmes are run on behalf of Job Centre Plus by organisations (usually called providers) that have the skills and experience to help you prepare for work.

Benefits

• helping you identify the type of work most suitable for you
• providing work experience in a work environment
• learning new skills or updating old skills
• building your confidence
• local to your home area or residential depending on your needs
• residential programmes for people with visual impairments
• travel expenses available

Eligibility

To find out if you are eligible for any of these schemes contact your local Job Centre Plus office or Jobcentre and they will connect you with a Disability Employment Advisor.


Attention all Employers!

If you are looking to employ someone with a disability or one of your employees has recently registered disabled or even if you are
currently recruiting then maybe you should consider the following:

What is the Disability Discrimination Act?
Under the Disability Discrimination Act it is unlawful for employers to treat a disabled person less favourably than anyone else for a reason connected to their disability unless it is justified.

But I’m worried about cost.
Jobcentre Plus pays a grant, through AtW, towards any extra employment costs that result from a person’s disability.

But will they be able to do the job?
You will have access to candidates who have received the right training and work experience to suit your organisation’s needs.

Will I have to provide support?
The JobCentre will help with any practical problems that prevent disabled people from reaching their potential in your organisation.

So how do I get on board?
If you contact your local Jobcentre Plus they can put you in touch with a disability adviser who can provide you with Advice and information.

For more information on how these programmes can help, the customer should contact their local Jobcentre Plus office. Alternatively for Access to Work advice they can also contact the Wales Access to Work Business Centre.

Tel: 029 20380997
Fax: 029 20380996
Minicom: 029 20380995


Career Profile

(Picture: Photo of Roger Hall and his dog)

The path to changing careers

Roger Hall, 59 is a self employed boat builder with a difference. He has been blind since the age of 17 after developing retinitis pigmentosa. Roger started his business in 1982 when he decided to turn his hobby in boat restoration into a career. He works with
a number of museums and says “The work is very labour intensive but every job is different requiring me to adapt to my environment to suit my needs.” Roger’s love of boats propelled him to build his own boat which he started in 1991, and finally finished in 2005.

His career choice was made possible through ‘The Access to Work’ scheme which provided him with his ownsupport worker Sian. ‘The Scheme enables me to be more independent and the employment disabilities service has been wonderful over the years. It has provided me with a portable reading machine and most importantly my support worker’s wages. Sian ismy eyes and helps me with all aspects of business. All in all members of the Access to Work team have been invaluable to my business.”

If like Roger you need some support at work in order to fulfil your career potential, Access to Work could be for you. It applies to any paid job, part-time or full-time, permanent or temporary. For more information on the Access to Work Scheme contact your Jobcentre Plus office and they will put you in touch with a Disability Employment Adviser or, alternatively, go to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.