Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Sense report entitled Research on the employment support available to people with complex disabilities, if he will work with (a) disabled people and (b) disability charities to assess the adequacy of assistive technology in jobcentres.

I would refer to the answer already given at PQ 181920 in relation to the support provided to customers in our Jobcentres.

As part of its commitment to make services accessible to all customers, the Department provides computers for customer use in Jobcentres which have assistive technology built into them and are managed separately from the wider DWP IT estate. The Department also provides a range of peripheral items in each Jobcentre such as alternative keyboards. This provision has funding identified and ring-fenced within the current spending review period.

The DWP have also improved access to our Wi-Fi services in all Jobcentres, allowing customers to use their own personal devices if they prefer.

DWP Work Coaches undergo comprehensive learning to support customers with additional or complex needs, particularly disabilities. As part of their learning DWP provides the Work Coach with an understanding of assisted digital, and how they can effectively coach claimants who find using digital services a challenge.