As part of its welfare reforms, the Government has introduced a work capability assessment, which aims to change the focus from what disabled people cannot do to what they can do.

The new system will consider what type of employment an individual is capable of, and what support they might need to manage their condition and return to work. The new disability test could cut the number of annual claimants by 20,000, as anybody who fails the test will be expected to seek work.

Some disability organisations have criticised the new arrangement. For example, Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, said: ‘We are worried that people with MS will feel pressurised into returning to work at the wrong time and the impact this might have on both their health and their confidence.’ Others warned that the Government needs to address barriers to employment that disabled people face, such as negative attitudes from employers, inaccessible public transport and inadequate social care.

However, Niccola Swan, Deputy Chief Executive of Employers’ Forum on Disability, praised the scheme: ‘If this test is conducted properly, it could change the employment prospects for thousands of disabled people currently out of work. Our concern is that employers are given necessary information and support to employ more disabled people.’

More details are available from the Workplace Law Network website

www.workplacelaw.net/news/display/id/12528