§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on funding under the Access-to-Work Scheme to prelingually deaf people who need language support at work in connection with reading and writing English. [74134]
§ Maria EagleThe Access to Work programme provides help for disabled people with additional costs in travelling to work, adaptations to workplaces, special equipment and funding for support workers. The budget has been increased every year since 1997, and 32,798 people benefited from the scheme in 2001–02 compared to just 10,000 in 1996–97.
Help through Access to Work can include funding for English language support for prelingually deaf people to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities at work.
§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when information about disability living allowance will be made available in sign-language video format. [74137]
§ Malcolm WicksInformation about Disability Living Allowance, along with the rest of the Department's benefit and pensions information, is currently being reviewed across the Department for Work and Pensions.
The review is driving the establishment of new corporate standards for the production of information in alternative formats. This includes the use of British Sign Language and the production of videos.