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General advice on employment and learning opportunities following a spinalcord injury.
The disability discrimination act (DDA) was devised to make equal rights for disabled people. The DDA defines disability as a physical, sensory or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on a persons ability to carry out normal day to day activities. The DDA includes the rights of people with disabilities to enter or return to employment.
Disability employment advisor -
If youare considering returning to previous employment or looking for alternative employment, it is advisable to contact your disability employment advisor (DEA), who is usually based at your local job centre.
DEAs work with employers and disabled employees. They can provide help with employment assessment, advice on work benefits, information on employment programmes and referral for training. Services include:
- 'Work preparation' which is a programme designed to meet an individual’s needs to prepare them for work. It may include an introductory work period.
- 'Work step' which aims to provide work related opportunities to encourage return to open employment.
- 'Access to work', may be able to provide financial help towards extra employment related costs resulting from a disability i.e. special equipment, travel and care at work.
It may be possible to attend a work site visit with your Occupational Therapist and local access to work advisor, to determine what you require if returning back to your previous workplace.
Job search -
If you are looking for new employment, vacancies can be found at a national job bank which is accessed through your local job centre. You can contact website www.worktrain.gov.uk, who publish 500,000 learning opportunities and over 600 career profiles.
When applying for a new job, employers are entitled to ask for information about your disability. Employers who show that they can make positive commitments to employing disabled people will display a two tick symbol i.e.√√
Self employment-
There are local enterprise agencies that will offer support with business plans if you are considering self employment. For more information you can contact 01234 354055 or www.nfea.com. The Princes Trust help people aged between 18-30 to start their own business. You can contact 020 842 842 or www.princes-trust.org.uk.
Voluntary work-
You may consider voluntary work as an option. There is usually a volunteer bureau in your local area or you can contact the national council for voluntary organisations on 020 7520 2412.
Further education-
There are a whole range of courses available to suit individual needs. Local colleges will offer a variety of full and part time study courses. If the type of education or support is not available locally, your DEA may be able to refer you for residential training. Enham in Andover (Tel: 01264 345800) and St. Loyes in Exeter both offer a range of courses.
Open learning may be another alternative. There are many different centres that offer flexible learning packages, which allow you to study at home when and where you can. Learn direct can provide information on a range of courses. You can contact them on: 0800 100 900.
An employment file is available in the O.T department on the spinal unit, which has further information on specific topics. Please do not hesitate to ask your O.T for more details.
