The View from Where I Sit

Tag: disability advocacy

  • The Equality Act: What has changed 10 years later?

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    What is Equality?

    Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. Equality is a human right. It prevents discrimination. It’s all about inclusion.

    The Equality Act 2010

    It was created in 2010. It is comprised of 115 sections, which includes the DDA. Inclusion is a key theme of this Act. It covers the workplace and society.

    Example of Unconscious bias in the Workplace 

    Historically, there has been a gender pay gap. However, this has changed, at least since 2017, according to the gender pay gap factsheet. file:///C:/Users/Daniella%20Lowe/Downloads/Gender-Pension-Gap-Factsheet.pdf. This factsheet shows evidence that people (women in particular) are now encouraged to discuss salaries with each other. This will definitely expose and clamp down on discrimination.

    For more information on how to beat the Gender Wealth Gap visit- https://www.hl.co.uk/free-guides/thank-you?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=ppc&guide=https://www.hl.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/16042734/Gender-Pension-Gap-Factsheet.pdf&pub=TGWG&name=on%20how%20to%20beat%20the%20gender%20wealth%20gap.

    What stayed the same?

    • Still paying lip service.
    • Disability Employment gap still remains high. But there are some improvements to this such as the Access to Work for the Self Employed. This covers disability.
    • Benefit changes have disadvantaged disabled people.

    Also, taxi drivers still overcharge wheelchair users despite the Equality Act 2010 Taxi Annexa. Well, at least that’s what my experience has been.https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents.

    What does the future hold?

    • We expect more action instead of information and promises.
    • Intersectionality must be focus of progress.
    • Culture of organisations must be inclusive.
    • Inclusion cannot be bias – it means all, not our favourite parts. 

    As an overview, this means that there is still work to be done. Law reinforcement and accountability must take place. Hopefully ten years from now we can expose all inequalities and have disparities resolved.

  • Access to Work Grant 

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    Self employment is a form of independence for the disabled. Self employment is a form of freedom and self reliance. Many people like the idea of working for themselves because they have no one to be held accountable to. However, there are many challenges to self employment, especially for a person with a disability.

    Challenges of Self Employment

    The challenges above and beyond for a disabled self employed person:

    • Fluctuating conditions
    • Business hours affected
    • Accessing finance
    • Solutions are not always possible
    • Accessing the right advice
    • Accessing transport


    The term ‘disabled’ has the same meaning as in the Equality Act 2010. This defines disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on one’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.

    The term disabled can also include disabilities that only become apparent in the workplace. An example of this might be where you started work and found that your eyesight was affected by computer screens but had not noticed this problem before you started work.

    1.What is Access to Work?

    Access to Work is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain in work. Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme that provides personalised support to disabled people who are:

    • in paid employment
    • self-employed
    • apprentices
    • trainees
    • supported interns
    • doing self-directed work experience
    • on Jobcentre Plus promoted work trials
    • going to a job interview
    • You can also apply if you have:
    • a job offer letter
    • a job start date
    • a letter confirming your interview

    There have been changes to Access to Work due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    2.Who can get help?

    The Self Employed can apply for the Access to Work grant if they earn £6000. They can also apply if:

    • are disabled, have a mental health condition or have a long-term health condition that impacts on your ability to work;
    • are aged 16 or over; and
    • live in England, Scotland or Wales – there’s a different system in Northern Ireland
    1. What help is available?

    Access to Work support covers a wide range of interventions beyond ‘reasonable adjustments’ associated with overcoming work-related barriers resulting from disability. The support package is agreed based on individual need.

    Examples of the kind of help available through Access to Work are:

    • A communicator, advocate or BSL interpreter for a job interview, if you’re D/deaf or have communication difficulties.
    • a support worker, such as a reader for somebody with a visual impairment; communicator for a hearing impaired person; a specialist job coach for a person with a learning difficulty; or a helper for personal care needs at work
    • Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular need.
    • Help towards the additional costs of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to work
    • Support via Access to Work’s dedicated Mental Health Support Service.
    • Young people who start a work placement with an employer as part of the Department for Education supported internship programme or a traineeship will be able to apply for Access to Work support for the time of their work placement only.

    Access to Work will fund additional travel, job coach and other support, including costs of equipment if appropriate, and promote the smooth transition into paid employment.

    No other types of unpaid internships or traineeships will qualify for Access to Work support.

    1. Help available for people with long-term mental health conditions

    A free and confidential ‘Mental Health Support Service’ is available to anyone with a mental health condition through Access to Work.

    The scheme offers:

    • Work-focused mental health support for up to nine months tailored to your needs
    • An assessment of your needs to identify suitable coping strategies
    • A personalised support plan, detailing the steps needed for you to remain in, or return to, work
    • Ideas for adjustments in the workplace or of working practice

    Support for Apprentices

    This free service supports apprentices who are feeling low, upset and struggling to keep up with their apprenticeship. It is completely confidential and run by fully trained professionals with expertise in mental health.

    To qualify for this service, you must:

    • be in an apprenticeship (attending or signed off sick); and
    • have a mental health condition that has resulted in absence, or is causing difficulties to remain in your apprenticeship
    • What help is available?

    An expert will provide you with emotional well-being support and advice for nine months; they will help you to cope better so you can concentrate on your apprenticeship; develop a step-by-step support plan to keep you on track; advice on workplace adjustments; and help an employer understand how they can best support you if you are experiencing a mental health condition.


    How to access the supporting apprentices scheme:

    Tel: 0300 456 8210
    Email: apprentices@remploy.co.uk
    https://www.remploy.co.uk/employers/mental-health-and-wellbeing/supporting-apprentices-service.

    1. Amount of grants

    There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant. How much you get depends on your specific case. The grant will only cover the support needed to let you stay in work or in self-employment.

    There is an annual cap on the total amount of support that can be provided under Access to Work; this is currently set at £60,700.

    Access to Work will pay 100 per cent of the approved costs (subject to the cap):

    • for travel to work, for a support worker/reader or a communicator for support at job interviews;
    • if you are unemployed and starting a new job;
    • if you have been working for an employer and have been in the job for less than six weeks; or
    • if you are self-employed or setting up your own business through the New Enterprise Allowance.
    • If you have been in your job for six weeks or more when you first apply for help, Access to Work will pay a proportion of the costs of support as follows: (As the employer, you will contribute 100% of costs up to the threshold level and 20% of the costs between the threshold and £10,000.
    • Employers with less than 50 staff: Access to Work can pay 80% of the approved costs.
    • Employers with 50 to 249 staff: The employer will have to pay the first £500 and Access to Work can then pay 80% of the approved costs up to £10,000.
    • Large employers with 250 or more staff: The employer will have to pay the first £1,000 and Access to Work can then pay 80% of the approved costs up to £10,000.
    • Access to Work would normally cover all additional costs over £10,000, subject to the cap.
    1. What Access to work cannot cover

    The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on an employer to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. Access to Work funding cannot be used to support these adjustments.

    Access to work will also not fund items which are regarded as standard equipment, standard business costs or standard health and safety requirements. This means that any item which would normally be needed to do the job, whether a person is disabled or not, will not be paid for.

    1. Students

    If you need communication help for a job interview before graduation, you should be able to access this service, even though you’re still studying.

    If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and are studying in higher education, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances.

    1. Employers and Access to Work

    When you’re applying for jobs, you should mention to your potential employer, either at the application stage or in your interview, that Access to Work may be available to you.

    Access to Work information for employers is available at http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-guide-for-employers.

    Access to Work also has an eligibility letter, which you can give to your employer or take to a job interview.

    1. How to apply?

    You can apply online.

    Telephone: 0800 121 7479

    Textphone: 0800 121 7579
    Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
    Find out about call charges

    British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service

    To use this, you must:

    • first check you can use the service
    • go to the video relay service
    • Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

    Alternative formats

    Call the Access to Work number to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

    If you need an alternative way of contacting Access to Work to discuss your needs, you can write to:

    Access to Work
    Operational Support Unit
    Harrow Jobcentre Plus
    Mail Handling Site A
    Wolverhampton
    WV98 1JE

    Supported Internships and Traineeships

    The application process for those on supported internships and traineeships wishing to apply to Access to Work includes:

    • The provision for a supported employment provider to make an application on behalf of an education provider (education providers can still make the claim if they would like to do so)
    • One placement per month for each student
    • The ability to make applications up to three months in advance.
    • For a flowchart setting out who may be eligible for Access to Work funding and the form for applying for Access to Work funding go to:

    https://www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/downloads/supported-internships/access-to-work-fund.htm

    Completed applications should be sent to the dedicated Access to Work team at: Atwosu.london@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

    Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

    You cannot get Access to Work support if you live in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. There is a different system in Northern Ireland.

    Forms

    Access to Work uses a specific medical form in connection with claims for travel to work. The form can be completed by someone who knows you well, giving a clear indication why you need support with travel to work. Once completed, this then needs to be signed by a medical professional to verify that the information is accurate.

    This could be your GP, Practice Nurse, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Learning Disability Nurse, but it can’t be signed by a non-medical person such as Social Worker or Support worker.

    1. How long is Access to Work funding available for?

    Access to Work funding agreements can cover up to three years. Reviews normally take place annually to assess if continued or further funding is needed. As long as you need the funding, you should continue to get it.

    1. What if I disagree with an Access to Work decision?

    You cannot appeal against an Access to Work decision, but you can ask for it to be reconsidered by a different Access to Work Adviser. To arrange this, use the contact details at the top of your award letter.

    If your circumstances change, such as if you change employer or your job role, you can ask for your award to be reviewed.

    If you have a complaint about the service you have received from Access to Work staff, you can use the DWP complaints procedure.

    1. Where can I get more help or information?

    For general information on Access to Work, go to http://www.gov.uk/access-to-work.

    You can get help and information at your local advice centre, such as Citizens Advice. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/access-work.

  • Disability Crowdfunding Campaigns within the UK

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    I am writing this report about crowdfunding campaigning in the UK, as part of my research for the Purple Vote Campaign, in conjunction with the Legacy International Group.

    Before carrying out my research for this report, I was of the assumption that crowdfunding campaigns were only politically driven. However, to my surprise I am wrong.

    What is crowdfunding?
    Crowdfunding is a different way to raise money for good ideas. People are increasingly bypassing more traditional funding routes such as bank loans or grants and turning instead to the people around them and in their community to support their venture. It’s been around for centuries but the internet makes it possible to reach much bigger audiences than before.

    There are various types of crowdfunding campaigns such as:

    • donation-based crowdfunding
    • Reward-based crowdfunding
    • Debt crowdfunding
    • Equity crowdfunding

    DISABILITY CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS IN THE UK

    Crowdfunding Campaigns are quite popular in the UK.

    SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS

    According to my research, there have been some successful disability related crowdfunding campaigns within the UK.

    For example, Access Enable 1st Start Up is one disability related crowdfunding campaign, that was created to break down the social barriers disabled people face in everyday life by educating businesses about Disability, Access, and Inclusion. On 27th February 2018 they successfully raised £125 with 6 supporters in 56 days.

    Another campaign is Brainhead which was launched in 2013. BrainHead is an app developed by the Autism Diagnostic Research Centre which was successful because it ultimately led to £10,000 being raised through Crowdcube, (a crowdfunding platform) in addition to the project’s £150K grant.

    Disabled People Against Cuts in London also held a ‘Rights not Charity’ crowdfunding campaign. On 25th November 2019 they successfully raised £1,929 with 53 supporters in 28 days.

    Ability Today had a ‘Turning Disability into Ability’ campaign which was successful because they raised £6,700 on November 13th, 2019 with 160 supporters in 69 days.

    Alan Barnes Fund was successful, because they topped £300K in four days. The original target of the Alan Barnes Fund was £500. The Alan Barnes Fund was a personal appeal for health and medical reasons.

    https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/02/02/crowdfunding-campaign-alan-barnes-tops-300k-four-days/

    UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS

    On the other hand, there have also been unsuccessful disability related crowdfunding campaigns within the UK.

    For example, Support disabled people in society. Their goal is to make websites accessible for everyone. Their vision is to support disabled people in society. Unfortunately, this project was not successful. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/make-websites-accessible-for-everyone

    AME Communicate offers three app-based products for people who are visually impaired, hearing-impaired, and non-native English speakers. They comprise AME Sight (an all-in-one screen magnifier, reader, and character recognition app), AME Translate (which enables users to communicate in other languages via pre-loaded phrases and words) and AME BSL (a British Sign Language interpreter and translator). This campaign was unsuccessful.

    Why?

    “Crowdfunding didn’t allow us to fully represent our goals and show the products off to their best advantage,”

    Teleford admits.

    Grippoz, an innovative wheelchair push-rim cover, crowdfunding made the prospect of developing and mass-producing the product feasible, but it failed, unfortunately, because the Grippoz Kickstarter campaign was only able to raise £5195 of the team’s £22,500 goal.

    The Peers Connection Group was an unsuccessful disability crowdfunding campaign.

    Disability Snowsport UK was also an unsuccessful disability crowdfunding campaign.

    Additional reasons why crowdfunding campaigns are unsuccessful

    Another reason why crowdfunding campaigns fail is due to the lack of momentum within the first 48 hours of launching. It is crucial that you reach a third of your target within 48 hours of launching. If you do not achieve that, studies have shown that campaigns are not likely to succeed.

    https://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/Page.aspx?SP=6549

    https://www.startups.com/library/expert-advice/crowdfunding-pros-cons

    People with disabilities should not need to crowdfund in order to afford basic independence.

    However, I suppose crowdfunding campaigns are a good alternative to charity in the face of austerity. Crowdfunding campaigns for a disability focussed political campaign sounds very effective.

    For example, Cambridge Green Party raised £300 from 10 supporters. Unfortunately, campaigning also requires money for leaflets, letters, posters, ads and more. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/VirgilGreen

    Additionally, Wales People’s Assembly against austerity, is another crowdfunding campaign that was successful. This was an anti-austerity campaign involved in organising events to protest, protect and fight austerity which negatively affects the most vulnerable. On 25th June 2015 they successfully raised £10 with 1 supporter in 28 days.

    Based on my findings, there is seemingly more successful disability focussed crowdfunding campaigns in the UK than there were unsuccessful disability focussed crowdfunding campaigns.

    As a result, I conclude that crowdfunding campaigns are the best and most effective way to make money, especially for a disability focussed political campaign. It will also be the most modern and effective way to build momentum and raise awareness for disability advocacy and political causes.

    http://www.legacyig.org/purple-vote/
  • My Audio Interview on Disability Advocacy with the Big Girl Panties Podcast

    My Audio Interview on Disability Advocacy with the Big Girl Panties Podcast

  • “WHAT IS DISABILITY???”

    “WHAT IS DISABILITY???”

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    When we think of disability we so often think of wheelchairs (understandable when you consider the disability symbol that is used everywhere), yet only 5% of disabled people actually use a wheelchair. People also tend to confuse a disability with a sickness.

    Disability vs Illness

    An illness is a sickness. Some illnesses are acute, which means they come on quickly and are over quickly (like a cold or the flu). Other illnesses are chronic, which means they last a long time and perhaps a lifetime (like asthma or diabetes). However, a disability is a physical or mental problem that makes it harder to do normal daily activities. You can be born with a disability or get it from an illness or an injury.

    Let’s break this down into simple terms:

    Physical impairments

    Well, this could include anything from a loss of a limb to an agility or sensory impairment, such as visual or hearing. It would also consist of health conditions with fluctuating effects such as Diabetes, Cancer, Osteoporosis, MS, ME, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Arthritis. Also involved would be progressive conditions such as Muscular Dystrophy and Motor Neurone Disease, and respiratory conditions such as Asthma, and Cardiovascular diseases, including Thrombosis, Stroke and Heart Disease.

    Mental impairments

    Well, this would include learning disabilities such as Downs Syndrome. It would also comprise of developmental disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Also covered under mental impairments are mental health issues. This could include anything from severe Depression, Nervous Breakdown, OCD, Eating Disorders, Dementia, Bi-polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, as well as some personality disorders and self-harming behaviour.

    Long-term

    This is where the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months. There are also special rules for recurring or fluctuating conditions.

    Normal day-to-day activities

    Well, this would include everyday things that everyone does, like cooking a meal, having a bath or wash, or walking to the shop.

    What does disability not include?

    Definitely not included in the definition are conditions such as hay fever, alcoholism, addiction, exhibitionism, voyeurism or a tendency to steal abuse or set fires.

    Screening disability can be very difficult, especially since it’s challenging to distinguish between disability and impairment. In regards to disability, one must first measure the level of ones’ ability before they can determine disability. Also when dealing with disability, many of these individuals are stereotyped, ostracized and treated as less of a person based on the stigma that comes from ones’ opinion or idea of ‘normal’.

    Well, what is normal?

    Regarding one’s general health, the term is explained as, physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. There is no exhaustive checklist which defines disability. What’s most important is the impact and effect of the condition on someone’s day to day activities. It is also important that you don’t make judgements about how impairment is caused.

    For example, liver disease caused by alcoholism would still be considered a disability, although alcoholism itself would not. The most important thing is to never make assumptions. Someone with a disability can be very, physically, fit and strong, highly intelligent and articulate.

    “No disability or dictionary out there, is capable of clearly defining who we are as a person.”

    Robert M. Hensel