Welcome to the pages of this groundbreaking 6 programme mini-series produced and broadcast by Rob Davis at Express FM and rebroadcast on FM and online by many of our fellow regional community radio stations as a 6-station consortium to reach the widest audience across south east England:
This programme series, Wired For Work, was researched, edited, produced and presented by Rob Davis. Many thanks to Disability Dynamics consultant Penny Melville-Brown who provided considerable advice on programme content and contacts for interviewees.
Note that legislation and roles of people who appeared in the series may have changed since the programmes were broadcast in 2007. The personal stories of success should continue to have value providing inspiration and useful suggestions.
Lots of people with disabilities, with impairments and long term health conditions would love to get back to work. This mini-series covers support for disabled people seeking jobs, advice from specialists on disability employment and the experiences of people with disabilities in the workplace. Employers talk about the benefits of employing people with impairments – and you can also hear from disabled entrepreneurs who have chosen self employment and started their own businesses. The programmes are also transcribed to text for those with hearing impairments.
Questionnaire
Take Part and Ask Questions. We want to hear from you about your experiences, stories, worries and problems about finding and keeping a job with a disability, impairment or health condition.
And please tell us what you think about the programmes and what other issues about working with a disability we should cover.
Click here to fill in the online questionnaire
Did You Know...?
Here are 10 things to think about
- Meaning of Disability. Did you know that about 20% of the population come within the legal definition of disability? It covers more people than just those who use wheelchairs, white canes or have hearing impairments? People with cancer, diabetes, HIV, mental health and other medical conditions are also covered. See also: Disability Rights Commission - drc-gb.org
- Legal protection. Did you know that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 gives protection for disabled people who are in work or are seeking work? Employers will be acting unlawfully if they treat a disabled person less favourably than others due to their impairment or do not make reasonable adjustments.
- Self employment. Did you know that disabled people are twice as likely as others to consider starting their own businesses? You will be able to Listen Again or download our programme on (insert date) to hear from people who have set up their own businesses.
- Problems at work. Did you know that you can complain to an Employment Tribunal if you have faced disability discrimination at work? The first step is to try to sort it out using your work grievance procedures. For more information see http://www.acas.org.uk/
- Support at work. Did you know that many employers think that taking on a disabled person will be too expensive? But, in fact, changes or adjustments at work for 96% of disabled workers cost nothing. These changes can be very simple and easy to achieve.
- Funding for support. Did you know that Jobcentre Plus can help fund adjustments, equipment or help for disabled workers? Not many employers know that Access to Work support can cover up to 100% of costs for new disabled employees and 80% for existing employees. For more information seeJobCentrePlus Access To Work website pages
- Great workers. Did you know that research has found disabled employees are:
- As productive as their colleagues;
- Have less time off sick;
- Stay longer in their jobs;
- Have fewer work accidents.
- Support to find work. Did you know that there is lots of help, advice and practical support for disabled people wanting to get back to work? There are specialists who can give you personal support and help you find the job that will best suit you. There are organisations that can help you make applications and prepare for interviews, help with training for a job and work experience.
- Worried about losing benefits? Did you know that Disability Living Allowance can continue even when a disabled person starts work? There is other financial support, such as tax credits, taxi tokens, rail and parking concessions that can help. The Disability Employment Adviser at Jobcentre Plus can help calculate how you will be better off at work. For more information see JobCentrePlus benefits information
- Great Customers. Did you know that disabled people have an annual spending power of about £80 billion? Employees who understand about managing life with an impairment can help their organisations give better service to this valuable customer sector.
Wired for work is funded by:
Wired for work draws on the expertise of:
