{"id":69705,"date":"2016-04-19T13:52:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T13:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=4bd8f4756ace6a4f0ccea4f924b7fc6a"},"modified":"2016-04-21T08:19:46","modified_gmt":"2016-04-21T08:19:46","slug":"press-release-132740-disabled-people-supported-through-specialist-employment-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=69705","title":{"rendered":"Press release: 132,740 disabled people supported through specialist employment scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated:<\/em> Added further information to explain why reliable programme performance data is only available from April 2007.<\/p>\n

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New figures released today show that the government\u2019s specialist disabled employment programme, Access to Work, has supported 132,740 people since launching in 2007.<\/p>\n

The scheme has assisted people in work, those looking for work, and people undertaking work experience and training with support such as adapted computers, self-propelling wheelchairs and travel.<\/p>\n

Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, said:<\/p>\n

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Supporting disabled people into work is a priority for this government which is why our Access to Work grants are available throughout people\u2019s careers.<\/p>\n

I strongly encourage employers and employees to take up this support so that we can reduce the disability employment gap and make sure everyone benefits from being in work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Access to Work is a grant for people whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. It provides individuals and employers with advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of their needs.<\/p>\n

Individuals and businesses can apply for up to \u00a341,400 to cover the cost of a support worker, travel needs, adapted equipment and more.<\/p>\n

Access to Work is one element of a wide range of support available to disabled people seeking work, including Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, as well as contracted provision, including the Work Programme, Work Choice and, from last September, Specialist Employability Support. The scheme doesn\u2019t replace the duty an employer has to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. It instead provides additional support that goes above a reasonable adjustment. <\/p>\n

Further information<\/h2>\n

32,150 people have benefitted from the grant since the end of 2015. Most grants have been awarded to users with sight or hearing issues or dyslexia. The number of awards for people with mental health conditions has increased seven-fold since 2007 \u2013 accounting for 5% of people awarded in the last quarter.<\/p>\n

Although the programme has been in operation since 1994, an operating system change occurred in April 2007 where data was migrated across from the previous legacy system, meaning not all supporting fields are populated or maintained. As a result, reliable programme performance data is only available as far back as April 2007.<\/p>\n

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Read the latest Access to Work statistics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Contact Press Office<\/h2>\n

Media enquiries for this press release \u2013 0203 267 5130<\/p>\n

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Press Office<\/h3>\n
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\nCaxton House
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\nTothill Street<\/span>
\nLondon<\/span>
\nSW1H 9NA<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only \u2013 not questions about personal claims)<\/span>
\n 020 3267 5144\n <\/p>\n

\n Out-of-hours (journalists only)<\/span>
\n 076 59 108 883\n <\/p>\n

\n England and Wales (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099\n <\/p>\n

\n Scotland (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 0131 310 1122\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Follow DWP on:<\/p>\n