Asperger Syndrome and Disability Discrimination Act

eve13_2

True Older. In an ideal world I would earn enough so he could just enjoy what he has. He does feel undervalued by his employers, And I have to admit I have to hide away sometimes so he doesn't see me crying in sheer frustration, but the truth is he is happy there, the kids adore him and their parents always make time to thank him for looking after them. But I won't be around forever. We live in the real world not an Ideal world. If ATOS medicals aren't just physical he'll be fine. He won't talk to examiners anyway and will probably be so stressed he'll have a melt down. Especially as i will refuse to go in with him so they can cope with it. I bet they'd still say he was fit to work in an unknown environment with strange people after a commute in a crowded train with delays and cancellations. Perhaps there should be situations when employers can pay below minimum wage to make it more attractive to hire people with disabilities if this is what the employee wants and has mental faculty to understand what they are agreeing to. My son would definately agree to it and so would I.

mazinmouse

"Perhaps there should be situations when employers can pay below minimum wage to make it more attractive to hire people with disabilities if this is what the employee wants and has mental faculty to understand what they are agreeing to. "

Personally, I feel that this would be counter-productive to all persons with a disability - even if we were willing to work for less than the minimum age - we would in effect be devaluing ourselves and presenting a negative image borne out of what would inevitably be seen as desperation. As you say we live in the real world, not an ideal world. I think it would also undermine the concept of the minimum wage.

But Eve13 I can understand why you have written what you've written.

dmg24

eve13 wrote: »

Perhaps there should be situations when employers can pay below minimum wage to make it more attractive to hire people with disabilities if this is what the employee wants and has mental faculty to understand what they are agreeing to. My son would definately agree to it and so would I.

So a disabled worker is worth less than a non disabled one? What you are suggesting is making the disabled an underclass, not worthy of the same standards as others. :eek:

CFC

dmg24 wrote: »

So a disabled worker is worth less than a non disabled one? What you are suggesting is making the disabled an underclass, not worthy of the same standards as others. :eek:

No, she's just desperate, and her son is disabled in such a way as to be an unattractive proposition to employers.

I feel for you, Eve, I feel for you.

Nicolas01

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Obviously I don't know everyone who suffers from Asperger Syndrome, but I've yet to meet one who was 'almost completely unable to interact with others'. I'm not sure what's meant by 'speaking in a peculiar way' either: I live with (at least) two people on the spectrum, and there's nothing at all wrong with their speech.

The ones I know best interact with other people in a perfectly satisfactory manner. Other people may not always like or enjoy the interactions, or understand why things have seemed a bit different, but the interaction is there, with a wide range of people.

Yes, they have problems, but let's not forget that it's a spectrum, with extremes, yet it's not completely disabling for all of them, as you make it sound ...

Yes I truly agree with you that it’s a spectrum and may be the one who you know might interact in a normal manner with others. But usually the symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome is different for different people.

Blue22

eve13 wrote: »

Perhaps there should be situations when employers can pay below minimum wage to make it more attractive to hire people with disabilities if this is what the employee wants and has mental faculty to understand what they are agreeing to. My son would definately agree to it and so would I.

Hi Eve
I don't think the employee should receive less but think there are situations when the financial liability to the employer should be reduced, as an acknowledgment of slightly lower productivity, particularly in the first few months, when employing some people with disabilities. This has always recognized through the government schemes, Work Prep, Job Introduction Scheme and Workstep in the way of subsidies. I believe all those schemes have now been rolled into one called, Workchoice, although I am unsure if subsidies are still being paid through this new scheme. But it will offer more intensive and longer lasting support than the Pathways programme. If your son needs this additional help then I would speak to your DEA about referral or directly contacting the provider in your area.
Btw when I was working for a Welfare to Work provider delivering the above programmes, I loved working with anyone on the Autistic spectrum. Good luck to your son

redpete

wantsajob wrote: »

Lewis (2009) writing on reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to AS reports that a tribunal case suggested “increasing a worker’s appraisal rating because the score was lowered for a factor related to his communication style, which was related to his disability” (p. 65). Involvement with the DWP Access to Work scheme may also be beneficial.

Your text looks well-researched and well-presented and shows an ability to write clearly and concisely. I would be happy to receive it as an attachment to an application.

I would leave out the part I've quoted above. The reference to the DDA and 'tribunal' could put off a potential employer who might see it as slightly threatening; they might think the author is already preparing a case for an employment tribunal. Issues with the 'marking scheme' used for performance appraisals could be brought up if and when it becomes an issue, no need to adress it even before they emply you.

All the best with your job search.

(I've just realise that someone has resurrected a 6-month old thread, hey-ho.)

eve13_2

I'm sorry, my post did probably sound a bit hard on disabled but in my sons year at school (admittedly special needs) only 3 out of 26 have jobs, two of them because they went into family businesses. The rest have either given up or are volunteering. They all have a great deal to give society. Pathways, we were sent to them by the job centre- well we tried that, not very impressed, no matter how many times I said my son could not travel on a new bus route without support for at least 6 months, or that travelling on a train was impossible, full stop, his advisor insisted on showing us advertisements for jobs that were in both categories. He then decided it would be a good idea for me to drive him to them, I can't drive. As for initial job interview.... as I said previously he doesn't like talking to people he doesn't know unless its a subject he's interested in, has no idea how to respond to open questions. Certainly doesn't know how to respond to personal questions ie how do you feel, if to imaginative questions ie what would you do if.. Wev'e put him down on employabilities waiting list but were warned we could be facing a six month wait for a support worker. Just as an example of how concientious my son is, he is volunteering everyday at playscheme this week, 35 hours in all. In the evening he volunteers 2 nights as an assistant instructor at local martial arts school. next week he will be going back to volunteering at afterschool club and nursery. All are local which cuts out the huge stress of travelling.

KimYeovil

But if they can pass the interviews and processes for voluntary postions then they can gain paid positions. Voluntary places are often more difficult, not less difficult, to achieve.

eve13_2

In both child settings 5 years ago I made initial contact and explained about my son, I gave them the information which would allow him to speak to them, he is a complete film buff so they eased him in by asking him questions about films. I sat in at both intreviews so I could interpret for him when he didn't understand them. Lastly both possitions are local, I was on nodding terms with them before asking them to give him a chance. At the Martial Arts School it was entirely on his own merit, he gained his black belt and he was always helping the kiddies so the owners approached him for the volunteer position. It may eventually lead to a few hours work- I hope so because he will know its because they appreciate him. It will also be something he did for himself by himself.