Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria her Department uses when deciding which Access to Work materials are translated into British Sign Language.

Access to Work (ATW) is a demand-led, discretionary grant scheme administered by Jobcentre Plus (JCP). The scheme de-risks the recruitment and retention of disabled people for employers by contributing towards covering the costs of support above the level of reasonable adjustment for disabled people at work.

Access to Work guidance is available in English and Welsh in html, word and PDF formats on the gov.uk website, and in addition information on DWP services is produced in accessible formats, including BSL videos.

When deciding which communications are translated into British Sign Language, Access to Work will consider the following:

• Direct feedback from Access to Work British Sign Language users,
• Stakeholder engagement with disability charities and organisations, including the UK Council on Deafness (UKCOD),
• Feedback from the Access to Work Stakeholder Forum, and
• Departmental communication priorities.

Using feedback from these groups and taking account of the wider Departmental communication priorities, Access to Work will identify communications that are causing the most concern and will be the most beneficial for British Sign Language users.

Disabled people who are British Sign Language users who have queries about Access to Work can contact Access to Work via the BSL video relay service (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to discuss queries.