Access to Work

Access to Work is a government scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It provides practical and financial support for people with disabilities to find and stay in employment. This can include specialist equipment, help with travel or assistance from a support worker.

When it works well, Access to Work is vital for people with sight loss. Many blind and partially sighted people say they would not be able to work without it.

Despite this, many people with sight loss are facing difficulties with Access to Work, such as long waits for support or changes to support when their award is renewed.

The UK Government has announced plans to reform Access to Work, first announced in Spring 2025.

We strongly oppose any changes that would reduce the support currently available to blind and partially sighted people, or increase the amount employers have to pay. This could discourage employers from hiring people with sight loss.

We firmly believe Access to Work should continue to fund the support available through the scheme.

We’re stressing to the UK Government that any changes to the scheme must involve consultation with disabled people before decisions are made.

In our conversations with decisions makers, we’re also emphasising that essential parts of the scheme – including support workers – must be protected for blind and partially sighted people.

We’re very concerned that some people with sight loss are having their Access to Work awards cut when they renew, even though:

• their sight condition has not changed
• their circumstances have not changed
• the guidance/rules of the scheme have not changed.

We’re particularly worried about the impact on people who have lost some or all of their support worker hours. For many, this is making it much harder to do their jobs and, in some cases, is putting their employment at risk.

Mike Wordingham, Head of Policy at RNIB, said:

“We know there’s a drive from Government to support more disabled people to enter and stay in work. This simply can’t be delivered if there are cuts to the support blind and partially sighted people receive through the scheme.”

On top of this, the scheme continues to be affected by long and unacceptable delays.

You can read more about the delays in our 2023 report.

If you’re blind or partially sighted and having problems with Access to Work, RNIB can offer advice and information.

Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].