A Topical Question For Sir Keir

Disability covers so very many aspects so I suppose it would depend on the nature of it. I was thinking of brilliant people like Stephen Hawking or even the deaf Beethoven .

I thought that, at one time, employers were required to employ a certain percentage of disabled worked?

The Access to Work scheme is an excellent way of supporting employers in employing people with physical needs. My employer was expected to cover 50% of my ergonomic chair, voice activated computer system etc. the assessment and remaining 50% covered by access to Work

I don’t think it will be at all easy for disabled people to find work, especially, ironically those with non physical disabilities, as those are the ones most dreaded by employers.

It's not just disability. As a person in my 60s, I do not want/cannot cope with full time work, but part time jobs are few and far between.

Two of my old employers openly had workers who would fall into this category.

I have worked with seveal peope with physical issues and with someone who was/is bipolar. She had a lot of time off to be truthful but was amazing when well.

I loved working with her. She was a real asset.

I wonder if she had revealed her bipolar to the employer before he employed her? If so he must be a saint. No employer wants an employee who can’t be reliable.

iam64 Access to Work has its limitations. My job involved driving around to see different people and then sitting with them in unfamiliar and inappropriate chairs. My drive to work was about 45 minutes and when I arrived there I was often in great pain.

Access to Work suggested that I get the bus then train as I had a bus stop nearby. This would take me 1 hour 55 minutes. Which was fine. Except for the bit where I’d have to leave my 8 year old home alone to get herself ready, leave the house, lock up and walk herself to school. They don’t take these things into account! So they were very good at providing me a chair for the short amount of time I was actually at my employer’s office but getting there, getting round and about and the chair situation out and about were still an issue!

I know several young people with learning disabilities who have been with various organisations who are supposed to find them work but have been unsuccessful.

Most places want people who can do a bit of everything. So if, say, it was a job in a cafe then not only would they want you to clear tables and serve food but they want you to take down orders and use the till. That is too much for a lot of people.

More has to be done to provide support in work for all workers- we could all become disabled at some point in our working lives. Present Victorian attitudes to work just dont work in a diverse population anymore. We should all be able to contribute according to our abilities and family responsibilities.

Apparently only 1 in 4 blind people are in work.

Employers really must try harder.

Was it a good idea to shut the Remploy factories?

Some might argue that this meant people with disabilities were kept separate from the general workforce but others say this provided a safe environment for those with disabilities to carry out worthwhile work.

Allira

Was it a good idea to shut the Remploy factories?

Some might argue that this meant people with disabilities were kept separate from the general workforce but others say this provided a safe environment for those with disabilities to carry out worthwhile work.

Agreed. They also provided respite for carers. A friend of my mum had a disabled adult child who worked for Remploy, and this enabled her to take a part-time job which got her out of the house and into the company of others, which her caring responsibilities made very difficult. Her son loved the work too - it gave him social connections, pocket money and self-respect.

Oreo

I don’t think it will be at all easy for disabled people to find work, especially, ironically those with non physical disabilities, as those are the ones most dreaded by employers.

So many disabled men and women, of all ages, working in the Civil Services.

If, on the application form a candidate ticks the disabled box most companies will offer a guaranteed interview provided candidate meets the job role criteria

The only comparable workplace now is the Poppy Factories where veterans with disabilities are employed.

Cossy

Oreo

I don’t think it will be at all easy for disabled people to find work, especially, ironically those with non physical disabilities, as those are the ones most dreaded by employers.

So many disabled men and women, of all ages, working in the Civil Services.

If, on the application form a candidate ticks the disabled box most companies will offer a guaranteed interview provided candidate meets the job role criteria

Many firms in the UK offer employment opportunities to people with disabilities and are disability-friendly.

I don't think it was a good idea to close down Remploy at all. It met so many needs that couldn't be met in the ordinary work sector. Earning, working, allowing flexibility that could not be catered for otherwise.

It was closed in 2012 under the coalition and in my opinion was a cost cutting exercise.

They were right to introduce measures to assist people into ordinary work but the two needed to go hand in hand.

Is is just my impression or is it the case that work places have become more stressful, less accommodating for those needing aspects of support?

We are fortunate where I am to have a social enterprise operating as a business, which still offers opportunities similar to Remploy. I’ve attached a link in case anybody wants to see what they do -it’s called Beacons Creative.
www.beaconscreative.co.uk/

A great initiative. Always need help in funding tho - I notice its helped by lottery money and Powys council.

Iam64

The Access to Work scheme is an excellent way of supporting employers in employing people with physical needs. My employer was expected to cover 50% of my ergonomic chair, voice activated computer system etc. the assessment and remaining 50% covered by access to Work

I notice our council has a specialist worker for that Scheme for council employees, but don't know how well it works for the details.

Yes, funding is a challenge in any business where the productivity is lower than the competitors I think. There are some very altruistic, hardworking and dedicated people needed to run social enterprises.

Oreo

I wonder if she had revealed her bipolar to the employer before he employed her? If so he must be a saint. No employer wants an employee who can’t be reliable.

Yes.
They knew ahead of time apparently.
She still works there part time (15 - ish years later).

Can I say a few words in support of one section of the new changes and that is, that as I understand it, those that have disabilities, often ones they are born with, which mean that they will never be able work, will now no longer have to have regular re-assessments.

For the last 25 years my sister has been the step mother of a woman (now) with a learning disability and autism and she has acompanied her to many assessments of various sorts to confirm that she is unable to work, live independently etc etc.

Her reports of the interviews her step daughter has undergone, would make you weep if they did not make you laugh because they were so farcical.

It is good to know that these interviews will no longer be necessary that it will be accepted that her disabilties are life long and there is no way at any point that she will be capable of working or living independently.

Should be supportive working environments I think It seemed crazy to me that the remploy factories were closed It seemed to work so why close them.Maybe they need to train more support workers to train people who feel out of their depth in big groups or feel pressured learning new skills More experience in schools such as building skills sort of try out a job while you are still in school Courses in school preparing children for jobs in care so they leave with relevant skills for jobs in care