Disabled people are set to receive more support to gain the skills and experience needed to get a job under changes to the Government’s specialist disability employment scheme.
It has been revealed that disabled people on traineeships, supported internships, work trials and work academies will receive additional help through the Access to Work scheme. It will provide funding towards the extra costs disabled people face in work, such as travel costs, specially adapted equipment or support workers.
Commenting, Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey, said:
“Young disabled people tell me how difficult it can be to get a job without experience – and they want the same choice of training opportunities as everyone else to help them into work.”
“We’re opening up Access to Work to do just that – so that more young disabled people can get a foothold in the jobs market, get their careers on track and achieve their full potential.”
It was also highlighted that recent changes mean that businesses with up to 49 employees will save up to £2,300 per employee who uses the fund by no longer paying a contribution towards the extra costs faced by disabled people in work.
According to Government figures, Access to Work last year helped 30,000 disabled people keep or get employment, while research also suggests that 45% of Access to Work customers would be out of work if they did not receive support through the scheme.