Acsess to work

Sncjw

Hi I have been working in my new jobs for about three weeks now, I wanted to see how I managed. Occupational health said to call acsess to work for stuff to be put in place, I can't call them because I am deaf.

My job entails that I pull notes and load them onto then system. I mainly stay in one room. I do not take telephone calls and if I need to contact another department then other staff call for me. My colleagues have been so supportive and talk clearly and to the right level for me to understand. I havent had a fire alarm test as of yet so don't know if I would be able to hear that.

What do acsess to work do. I have never had them before. Oh said to get stuff in now in case I need it for the future.

Skint_yet_Again

I had access to work visit me in my office where they assessed my needs and made recommendations for equipment. They paid part and my employer paid part of the costs,

There is more info here:

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview

They have a textphone number under the "how to claim" section plus an email and postal address.

Hope that helps

Sncjw

Thank you. What sort of things do they fund.

Skint_yet_Again

There is more info on the link I posted - specifically here

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/what-youll-get

It depends on your individual circumstances and what you need to do the job you do

More info here:

https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers

For example I was referred to access to work for funding towards an electric raising desk so I can stand or sit to do my work due to back problems.

My employer also provided a specialist chair, keyboard, mouse and a wheelchair for fire evacuations as I cannot walk for long and so I can sit down outside as I am not able to stand for long periods. They funded this equipment without access to work assistance.

I have a personal evacuation plan in place with certain people acting as "buddies" to make sure I get out of the building safely. I would be concerned that they have not tested whether you can hear the fire alarm. My employer tests whether the fire alarm works once a week - does your employer do something similar that you could attend to check whether you can hear it ?

I think you need to ask them for a personal evacuation plan to be put in place asap - especially if you cannot hear the alarm.

Hope that helps

Edit - if you have a union at work I would recommend you join as my union were great and made suggestions for equipment etc that I would never have thought of and they can attend any meetings with you to help you