BATA Resources Page

Here we hope you will find some useful information to help signpost you to service providers and useful organisations dealing with a range of disability needs and accessibility provision.

Accessibility in the Workplace

Access to Work Scheme

What is Access to Work (AtW)?

Support is available to those in employment with a disability, neurodifferences, health or mental health need. Employers have a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments, then Access to Work is available to help cover the financial costs of solutions that go beyond this. Below you can find out everything you need to know about the UK government's Access to Work scheme, including who is eligible, what is available and how to apply.

What can the Access to Work allowance pay for?

Here is a list of some of the support that might be recommended by an Access to Work Assessor:

Assistive technology, training, and workplace coaching

- Special equipment
- Software

Practical support with your work
- BSL interpreters, lip speakers or note takers
- Adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
- Taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
- A support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace

Mental health support
- A tailored plan to help you get or stay in work
- One-to-one sessions with a mental health professional

Communication support for job interviews
- You’re deaf or hard of hearing and need a BSL interpreter or lip speaker
- You have a physical or mental health condition or learning difficulty and need communication support

Process of applying

This is the general process, however you can also request that your employer pay to use a private company that can support the entire process. If you are self-employed, you act as the employer in this scenario.

1) You can apply for AtW online or by phone.
It is worth being prepared to be asked about employer contact information, as well as your National Insurance number and tax reference number if you're self-employed.

2) You will be assigned an advisor who will contact you by phone to discuss your needs.
You will be asked to present evidence to support your claim. If you have an SpLD you will need an up-to-date diagnostics report. If you have a physical disability, long term health condition, or suffer from mental health issues then you will need to present a letter from your doctor or consultant.

3) An AtW Assessor will provide a holistic assessment, which takes around 40 minutes.
The assessor will ask questions about your strengths, weaknesses and needs, and then make appropriate recommendations of support.

4) A report will be produced and sent to yourself, your AtW Advisor, and your employer.
The report will include suggestions for support, as well as details of costs and suppliers. Once agreed with your advisor, an approval letter will be sent to you and your employer.

5) The employer will purchase the solution(s) and claim the approved grant back from AtW.
The claim form is included with the approval letter. The maximum grant amount is currently £65,180. The employer will be required to contribute as follows:
• 1 to 49 employees: no contribution
• 50 to 249 employees: pay the first £500 and 20% of costs up to £10,000
• 250 or more employees: pay the first £1,000 and 20% of costs up to £10,000

Disability Confident Scheme for Employers

Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

Being Disability Confident is a unique opportunity to lead the way in your community, and you might just discover someone your business cannot do without.

It was developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to make it rigorous but easily accessible, particularly for smaller businesses.

The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.

Why you should become Disability Confident

By being Disability Confident, you’ll also be seen as leading the way in your business sector and beyond, helping to positively change attitudes, behaviours and cultures. Disability Confident helps businesses:

● draw from the widest possible pool of talent

● secure and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working

● save time and money on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover

● keep valuable skills and experience

● reduce the levels and costs of sickness absences

● improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly

The Disability Confident scheme has 3 levels that have been designed to support you on your Disability Confident journey. Employers must complete each level before moving on to the next.

Level 1: Disability Confident Committed

To be recognised as Disability Confident Committed, you must agree to the Disability Confident commitments and identify at least one action that you’ll carry out to make a difference for disabled people. The commitments are:

● inclusive and accessible recruitment

● communicating vacancies

● offering an interview to disabled people

● providing reasonable adjustments

● supporting existing employees The activities include (you must identify at least one):

● work experience

● work trials

● paid employment

● apprenticeships

● job shadowing

● traineeships

● internships

● student placements

● sector-based work academy placements Disability Confident Committed

Level 2: Disability Confident Employer

Once you’ve signed up for level 1 you can progress to level 2, a Disability Confident Employer, by self-assessing your organisation around 2 themes:

● getting the right people for your business

● keeping and developing your people

Disability Confident Employers are recognised as going the extra mile to make sure disabled people get a fair chance.

Level 3: Disability Confident Leader

By becoming a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be acting as a champion within your local and business communities. To reach this level you’ll need to:

● have your self-assessment validated by someone outside of your business (not including DWP employees in jobcentres)

● provide a short narrative to show what you have done or will be doing to support your status as a Disability Confident Leader

● confirm you are employing disabled people

● report on disability, mental health and wellbeing, by referring to the Voluntary Reporting Framework

Companies can find out more about joining this scheme at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign

Anyone seeking employment and looking for an accessible workplace can view a list of companies signed up to the Disability Confident scheme at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-employers-that-have-signed-up