Introduction

Work and Access is a comprehensive initiative designed to assist people with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. This new scheme replaces the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme, following a review that identified areas for improvement. Work and Access aims to broaden the range of supports available and make them more accessible to both employees and employers.

Key Goals

• Remove or significantly reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace.
• Provide targeted support to help individuals secure employment and succeed in their roles.
• Assist employers in accommodating the needs of employees with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Support Categories

Work and Access offers seven categories of support:

Supports for Jobseekers, Employees, and the Self-Employed

• Workplace Needs Assessment: Helps identify necessary support or adjustments.
• Communication Support: Assists with effective communication, especially for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have other communication challenges.
• In-Work Support: Tailored support to help employees perform their duties effectively.
• Personal Reader: Assistance for individuals who require help with reading in their job.
• Work Equipment: Financial assistance for purchasing specialised equipment.
• Workplace Adaptation: Financial support to help employers adapt their workplaces to meet the needs of employees with disabilities.
• Disability Equality and Inclusion Training: Training for employers and organisations to better understand and accommodate disabilities.

Employer Supports

• Workplace Needs Assessment: Identifies accommodations or supports needed for employees with disabilities.
• Workplace Adaptation: Financial assistance for adapting workplaces to meet the needs of employees with disabilities.
• Disability Equality and Inclusion Training: Training to help employers better understand and accommodate disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals:

• Age: Over 18 and within legal working age.
• Employment Status: Working at least 8 hours per week, self-employed, or engaged in work experience, internships, or apprenticeships.
• Location: Working or seeking work in the Republic of Ireland, excluding the public sector.
• Disability or Long-Term Health Condition: Must have a disability or health condition lasting longer than 12 months and provide professional evidence or be receiving a long-term disability payment.

Employers and the Self-Employed:

• Sector: Private sector, community, not-for-profit, or voluntary sectors, or self-employed.
• Legal and Tax Compliance: Must be a recognised legal entity or charity and tax compliant