New Disability Employment Supports Launched

August 19 2024, 09:21am

The Department of Social Protection has established a new disability employment support scheme, Work and Access, to assist people with disabilities to gain or maintain employment.

The scheme replaces two previous schemes, the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme, which were reviewed by the Department last August. DFI made a submission to that review, which you can read here. The review concluded that the schemes should be combined, simplified and expanded.

These recommendations have been implemented in Work and Access, which offers a single scheme with standardised eligibility criteria, a simplified application process with a needs-based approach and seven supports with expanded measures to address a broader range of circumstances.

The seven supports are detailed below:

Supports for Jobseekers, Employees, Self-Employed

Employer Supports

Workplace Needs Assessment, to assist in identifying the need for additional supports
Communication Support, for interview and in work
In-Work Support, to help you perform in your position
Personal Reader, to assist you in work
Work Equipment, to assist you in your job

Workplace Needs Assessment, to assist in identifying employees need for additional supports
Workplace Adaptation, to accommodate additional employee needs
Disability Equality and Inclusion Training, to provide employers and organisations with access to training for staff, to gain a better awareness and understanding of disabilities in the workplace

DFI welcomes this initiative of the Department of Social Protection to address some of the structural barriers to employment that disabled people face. Given the low employment levels of people with disabilities in Ireland, it is positive to see action being taken in this important area.

For more information on the scheme, including eligibility requirements and application process, see gov - Work and Access (www.gov.ie)