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Factsheet 2 Employment This Factsheet aims to provide summarised information on the various sources of help available to people with a hearing loss that may be causing difficulties in either retaining an existing job or acquiring a new one. In many cases the most up to date information can be found on the Internet. If you don’t have Internet access of your own, all public libraries now have Internet enabled computers that you can use and you will normally find that library staff are very willing to help any users who have little or no experience using the Internet. The Disability Discrimination Act Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) and subsequent revisions, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against existing or prospective employees on grounds of disability. Employers also have a statutory duty to make “reasonable adjustments” to help people with disabilities tackle their work role. This duty applies both in cases where an existing employee suffers a hearing loss and where a deaf person applies for a job. These “reasonable adjustments” might include adjusting local working practices to allow for the deaf person’s difficulties with aural communications, and providing some of the types of equipment listed in the section below on Access to Work. More detailed information on the provisions of the DDA can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) website www.equalityhumanrights.com and through the RNID www.rnid.org.uk Many publications on these websites can be either read on-line, downloaded, or ordered as free paper copies. To give an example, two documents on the EHRC website that give a useful starting point have the titles “Information on Getting and Keeping a Job” and “What are Reasonable Adjustments?” If you feel you are experiencing discrimination then the EHRC Helpline can offer you advice on your legal rights and what to do next. You can write to them at Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline, Freepost RRLL-GHUX-CTRX, Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3EQ (England), Freepost RRLR-UEYB-UYZL, 3rd Floor, 3 Callaghan Square, Cardiff CF10 5BT (Wales) or RRLL-GYLB-UJTA, The Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street Glasgow G2 8DN (Scotland). Alternatively, they can be contacted by telephone, 0845 604 6610 (England), 0845 604 8810 (Wales), 0845 604 5510 (Scotland) or by textphone, 0845 604 6620 (England), 0845 604 8820 (Wales), 0845 604 5520 (Scotland), from 9am to 5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9am to 7.45pm on Wednesdays. If you belong to a Trade Union or professional association they should support and advise you if problems occur. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) provides information on the workSMART section of its web site www.tuc.org.uk Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or Law Centre may also be able to offer advice and information. If any issues or disputes over health or equality issues arise and you need advice or help towards resolution, you may find it worthwhile to get advice from Acas: www.acas.org.uk In Northern Ireland, you may prefer to use the Labour Relations Agency: www.lra.org.uk If you need guidance first, the Citizens Advice can provide excellent advice: www.adviceguide.org.uk Jobcentre Plus Information on help with employment or benefits is provided through the Jobcentre Plus network, a part of the Department of Work & Pensions. Ideally you should seek an appointment with the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA), who is available (typically one day per week) at each Jobcentre Plus office. Look in the Business Pages of the telephone directory under “Jobcentre Plus” to find your nearest Jobcentre Plus office, who will be able to put you in touch with the local DEA. You can also call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (English voice service), or 0800 012 1888 (Welsh voice service), or 0800 023 4888 (text) in normal business hours, including Saturday mornings. Or visit the web site www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk The Jobcentre Plus WorkPath Programmes are designed to offer practical help to deafened/disabled people and to their prospective or existing employers. The three main services in the WorkPath Programmes are “Access to Work”, “Work Preparation” and “Workstep” “Access to Work” The Access to Work (AtW) programme will provide advice and practical support to you and your employer to overcome anything relating to your deafness that is causing difficulties in the work that you do. It applies to people wanting to stay in existing work or find new jobs and is also available to the self-employed. What can be offered will depend on personal circumstances, but examples are:
Communication Support can be requested for general day to day business activity as well as more specific needs such as for job interviews, induction courses and for in-service training courses. A proposed application for AtW support should be discussed with the local AtW advisor, who can be contacted via the DEA at Jobcentre Plus. The DEA will supply details of the financial rules applying at the time of your application. AtW can provide a substantial part of the approved costs with only the residue to be met by the employer. The “Work Preparation” Programme If you've been unable to work for some time since becoming deafened, the Work Preparation programme can help. It is designed to help in these circumstances to overcome any difficulties you might face when you return to work. Work Preparation helps to build up your confidence and find out what skills you have. It also helps you find out what kind of work you are suited to and lets you find out if you are ready for a working environment. The “Workstep” Programme If you are finding significant barriers to work arising from your deafness and need to find a new job, WORKSTEP can help you to find and settle into a new organisation. The WORKSTEP provider helps you find a job, introduces you to your manager and colleagues, and stays in touch to check that everything is going smoothly. A jointly agreed plan will also be produced to help you develop in your new job and hopefully progress further in the organisation. The DEA will also be able to provide information on some other employment schemes aimed at providing help for people with disabilities, as follows: New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP). This scheme is aimed specifically at helping people who are currently claiming a benefit relating to their disability or health condition to find work, and will have no affect on your benefits. It is delivered through Job Brokers specially chosen by Jobcentre Plus because of their experience of working with people with disabilities. To see an NDDP advisor contact Jobcentre Plus locally or use the NDDP Helpline, telephone on 0800 137 177, or textphone 0800 435 550. Sheltered Placement Scheme. This scheme is operated by local authorities and provides financial support to encourage firms to employ people with disabilities. Job Introduction Scheme. If you find a job that you like but you or your employer are not sure whether it would be suitable, the Job Introduction Scheme might be of help. This scheme can provides contributions towards the wage or salary of a disabled employee for an initial trial period, to allow the individual and the employer to decide if the job is suitable. It is run by the DWP through Jobcentre Plus. Some local authorities operate a scheme called “Worklink” which aims to support anybody with a disability or long term illness who is seeking employment, training or work experience. The Social Services or Employment Service Departments of your local authority should be able to put you in touch with any local Worklink scheme. There may also be a Jobclub in your area which can help you to write letters, CVs and arrange interviews. Some Jobclubs are specifically for deaf and deafened people. You can use the Jobcentre Plus office or their web site to acquire various useful leaflets, of which the one entitled “A guide for disabled people, those with health conditions, and carers” is a good starting point. |