CFAS Spring 2020 Journal

INDUSTRY NEWS
BATA’S ACCESS
TO WORK SEMINAR
On Wednesday 4 th March CFAS attended a seminar organized by BATA
(British Assistive Technology Association) entitled Access to Work.
Hosted by ATOS in their High Holborn office, this seminar was aimed at
raising awareness of the Government funded Access to Work scheme, with
talks, workshops and panel discussions it proved to be an interesting and
insightful morning.
CFAS attended as we are keen to find out more
about how we can encourage diversity and inclusion
in the workplace, offering our members and readers
information and advice how they can reach out.
BATA is a not-for-profit membership organisation,
where the members develop, resell and provide
service for Assistive Technology (AT). This
encompasses hardware, software, accessories and
furniture which enables users of all abilities to work,
study and communicate effectively. AT supports
people with disabilities, hidden disabilities and complex
conditions. BATA have a special interest group whose
purpose is to promote and encourage employers
to welcome people with disabilities. Opening up
discussion, raising awareness of the funding available
and the equipment which assists and supports.
The seminar is one of many activities planned, and
if the others are as well thought out and organised
as this one, their goal is going to be easily achieved.
Access to Work (AtW) is government funding provided
to employees to help them in the workplace. In the
financial year 2017/8 over 36,000 people benefitted
from this scheme with costs covered by the
Government of over £110m. AtW provides a variety of
support including:
Taxis to work for those who can’t use
public transport
Special equipment or adaptations
A support worker or job coach to help in
the workplace
A communicator at a job interview or in
the workplace
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter for
people with hearing loss
Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) for
people experiencing difficulties with their
wellbeing
Disability awareness training for work
colleague
The cost of moving equipment following a
change in location or job
After an introduction by Noel Duffy, the chair
of BATA’s Special Interest Group, there was an
overview of AtW by Strategy Policy Advisors,
Crystal Forrester and Joy Adeleye. Amongst
the statistics and interesting information, they
advised the room of some of the initiatives the
Government are instigating to raise awareness,
acknowledging that although growing, AtW was
not commonly known by people with disabilities
nor employers. Great to hear the Government
are putting time and effort behind supporting
more people and alerting more employers to the
funding available.
There were presentations from Dyslexia
Association and case studies of Access to
Work: Aj Ahmed, blind from birth, made us laugh
throughout with his lively sense of humour and
astute clarity in the path he has taken with and
without the support of AtW. Plus, Clive Gilbert
from Policy Connect explained his personal
case, with the physical disability cerebral palsy,
Clive’s talk demonstrated the use of AT devices
with a PowerPoint presentation and AT speech
software.
Technology was at the forefront again with Neil
Milliken, ATOS sponsor, on a weblink, sharing his
screen and enabling live interaction.
Holding a workshop for attendees, panel
discussion and audience Q&A added a
fantastic mix to the morning. Passionate
recommendations providing meaningful and
example led feedback to the AtW Strategy Policy
Advisers, meant they were frantically taking notes
and nodding throughout in appreciation of the
suggestions.
Overall, CFAS gained lots of information
regarding Access to Work which we can
communicate to our members and will be putting
on our website and posting through social media.
Meanwhile, please find links and information
to help you support your employees both with
visible and hidden disabilities:
Access to Work:
www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Disability Confident Employer:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-
confident-guidance-for-levels-1-2-and-3/level-2-
disability-confident-employer
British Assistive Technology Association:
www.bataonline.org.uk/
22 | www.cfas.uk