§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to promote the development of(a) supported employment opportunities and (b) intermediate labour market solutions to help those who are blind or partially-sighted. [182539]
§ Maria EagleLike all jobless people, where they meet the eligibility criteria, disabled people or those with health problems can access the full range of Government employment programmes, including intermediate labour market initiatives.
Workstep provides support in jobs for disabled people who have more complex barriers to finding and keeping work but who, with the right support, are able to make a valuable contribution in their job and where appropriate develop and progress to open employment. Workstep providers are required to work with all clients 328W on a qualifying benefit, including clients who are blind or partially sighted. Remploy, which is the largest provider of the Workstep programme, supports over 230 people with visual impairments in a variety of jobs.
A number of organisations with their roots in helping people who are blind or partially sighted are also directly involved with Workstep as providers. These organisations include: Action for Blind People, Royal London Society for the Blind, Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries, the Royal Aberdeen Workshops for the Blind and Disabled and Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind. In line with the Workstep ethos, these organisations deliver support to clients with a range of disabilities.
The Access to Work programme is open to disabled people already in employment (including self-employment), people changing jobs and unemployed people about to start work. It helps towards the additional employment costs resulting from disability, for example, help with the costs of travelling to work, adaptations to premises and special equipment.