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Disability Assistance

rmw76
rmw76 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
edited June 2018 in Work and employment
I have been physically disabled since birth, have a university education and have been trying to find graduate level employment for a number of years without success.  Having applied for numerous jobs, done voluntary work and internships, and gaining help through the application process from amongst others, Scope's Employment Services, including with interview techniques and helping to prepare for tasks at an assessment centre, I have come up against a brick wall when it comes to finding permanent employment.

To my mind there are two problems.  Firstly, employers are reluctant to employ disabled people because they think they cannot do the job because they are disabled and that they will be the ones who will have to incur the costs of appointing personal assistants to assist the disabled person in the workplace.  But secondly, and probably more importantly, the system of financial support for employing personal assistants is very compartmentalised because it only deals with aspects of a disabled person's life using different funding streams whether that be Access to Work in the workplace, Direct Payments or a Personal Budget to assist disabled people in their own home or out socialising, or Disabled Students' Allowance to assist disabled people with their academic support at university.

Surely these funding streams need to be brought together and the role of Personal Assistants need to be developed to ensure that they help, not just with social care in the home or out socialising, as per the Care Act 2014, but with all aspects of a disabled person's life, including work and study. 

Would anybody be interested in working with me to see how this is possible to achieve?   

Comments

  • steve51
    steve51 Community member Posts: 7,153 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @rmw76

    Good Evening my friend it’s great to meet you.

    I’m very very sorry to hear about your current situation.

    I have used “Access to Work” previously too renter the work place.

    I would be more than happy in helping/supporting you with this if it would be helpful?????
  • rmw76
    rmw76 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Hi Steve51

    That would be great.  What can you help me with?

    It would be great to get to know you a bit more.  What type of disability do you have and how does it affect you?  Whereabouts in the UK do you live and how would you rate your local social services department ability to support your needs?

    It would be great to hear from you again.  Please do get in touch.
  • JennysDad
    JennysDad Community member Posts: 2,299 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @rmw76 and a warm welcome to the community.
    I am not disabled myself but was father to a disabled daughter who died more than a quarter of a century ago. I am also involved with a budding political party for the disabled called Ability in Action, here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349035641867426/ which you might like to have a look at.
    Warmest best wishes,
    Richard
    @JennysDad
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Donisha_scope, is there anything you can suggest? 
  • Donisha_Scope
    Donisha_Scope Scope Posts: 36 Courageous
    Hi @rmw76

    Thank you for your enquiry.

    It sounds like you have many great skills and experience to bring to the workplace.

    Would you consider also applying for roles advertised by disability friendly employers?

    This government run scheme is committed to ensuring all disabled applicants are invited to an interview if they meet the minimum criteria.
     
    For more information, click here.

    Kind regards,

    Donisha


    Donisha
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

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