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Access to work
Access to Work (AtW) funding is available for technical assessments and the costs of adapting an employee’s IT and workstation, and AbilityNet is an accredited AtW supplier for technical assessments.
AtW is run by Jobcentreplus and helps with the costs of employing someone who’s disabled, or making the adjustments for an employee who needs additional support because a disability or health condition is making work difficult.
Getting a workstation correctly set up is often a very practical solution to employing a disabled person and the key to a healthy, happy employee needing to take less time off. At the same time, as an employer, you are complying with the disability legislation (DDA).
AtW operates differently across the UK
We would stress that the quality of the assessment is very important to ensure a usable solution is found first time.
England and Wales
The AtW programme in England and Wales will provide a grant towards the cost of a quality assessment, and a contribution towards the cost of any equipment recommended.
For anyone starting a job with you, the grant is up to 100% of the approved costs. For those who already work for you, the grant is up to 80% of the approved costs over the first £300
You need to contact your local JobcentrePlus who will put you in touch with one of their approved contractors. Many who know AbilityNet specifically ask for us. AbilityNet work with AtW in the following regions: East of England, West Midlands, North West of England, North East of England, London and the South East, Wales.
Scotland
The ATW programme in Scotland operates along similar lines, but there are no specified contractors. You can select who you wish to provide what is often called an ergonomic, display screen equipment (DSE) or technical assessment before getting in touch with Jobcentreplus.
When AbilityNet delivers the quality assessment, a grant can be provided towards the costs and a contribution towards the cost of any equipment recommended.
For anyone starting a job with you, the grant is up to 100% of the approved costs. For those who already work for you, the grant is up to 80% of the approved costs over the first £300.
Contact enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or call us on 0800 269545 for more information about our assessment services.
AbilityNet’s Access to Work assessments work
Quite regularly we see clients who have had a previous AtW assessment which hasn’t quite sorted out their problems. Our aim is always to get it right first time, because that’s the best result for everyone concerned.
We have years of experience with IT access at work, and all our assessors are carefully and fully trained. We are now supervising an accredited qualification for technical assessors across the UK.
We get results by following these guality guidelines:
- understand the needs of employer and employee and tailor the solution to the working environment, the IT systems in place and the individual
- start with low cost and free adaptations and adjustments first
- act totally impartially, looking at an unlimited range of solutions to find the best fit
- give the employee the opportunity to try the hardware and software solutions during the assessment
- offer equipment on loan if necessary before the purchasing decision is made