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Welsh Recruitment Meets Ann McGuire Minister for Disabled People

(Picture: Department for Work and Pensions logo)

(Picture: Photo of Ann McGuire sat next to Roger Hall and his Dog on a sailing boat)

Welsh Recruitment: As Minister for Disabled People what are your main roles and responsibilities?

Ann McGuire: My job is to ensure Government works together on issues affecting the lives of disabled people. I am also responsible for a number of policies and services which directly support disabled people and carers, such as Disability Living Allowance and Carer’s Allowance.

Welsh Recruitment: In this issue of Welsh Recruitment we are launching our new ‘access all areas’ section for job seekers who may face barriers to employment. What support and guidance do you provide to people with disabilities in employment?

Ann McGuire: Jobcentre Plus offers a range of schemes and programmes which support both disabled people and their employers. For disabled people, help focuses on finding and retaining a job. There is a network of specialist advisers based in Jobcentres throughout Wales, who give advice and guidance on the support available to ensure disabled people get the best support for their individual needs.

We have also ensured disabled people have more rights in recruitment and employment. In October 2004, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) were extended to cover all small employers and previously excluded occupations such as prison officers, police officers and firefighters. This means an extra 1 million employers and 7 million more jobs are now covered.

Advice and guidance about employment rights for disabled people is available from the Disability Rights Commissions.

Welsh Recruitment: Can you tell us more about the Access to Work scheme?

Ann McGuire: Our Access to Work scheme offers advice and practical support to disabled people and their employers to help them overcome work-related obstacles they face. Support is available to cover any extra employment costs resulting from an employee’s disability.

This specialist disability programme is delivered by Jobcentre Plus and offers grants towards the cost of providing support, for example, by helping to pay for any specialist aids and equipment a disabled person may need in the work place.

It can also include help towards the costs of getting to and from work, a support worker to help in working activities, adaptations to premises and equipment and communication support at interviews.

Welsh Recruitment: If a person is applying for a job at what point should they disclose their disability and what support is provided through the application process?

Ann McGuire: There is no legal requirement for job applicants to disclose a disability, at any stage of the recruitment process. However, the DDA does not require an employer to make any adjustments if he cannot reasonably be expected to know an employee or applicant has a disability. Therefore, if a person needs an adjustment during the recruitment process because of a
disability, it is likely to be in his or her interest to say so.

The DDA does not prevent employers from seeking information about a disability, but they must not use this information to discriminate against disabled people. An employer can demand essential health requirements for a job, but would need to show such standards were necessary for the job. He or she may also need to show it would not be reasonable to waive them in any individual case.