Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps is she taking to ensure that disabled (a) employees and (b) business owners continue to receive the (i) assistive technology and (ii) other forms of support they need to remain in work during the covid-19 lockdown; and if she she make a statement.

Access to Work is continuing to support disabled employees to access assistive technology and other forms of support they need to remain in work and during the pandemic is adapting existing awards to new working environments. This could include switching from face to face British Sign Language Interpreting to Video Remote Interpreting services where possible as well as making greater use of assistive technology and software.

For all other forms of support, such as support workers and travel to work (for customers not self-isolating), Access to Work continues to offer support. If support needs or workplaces have changed, Access to Work will work with the customer to understand what support is needed, and adapt the support package accordingly.

In addition, Access to Work is working with employers to ensure assistive technology can be transported from the workplace to support home working. If the support cannot be removed from the workplace, Access to Work may be able to provide the support at home, work with disabled employees to consider new adjustments or support adaptations to standard equipment.