Jobcentre Plus: Accessible to you?
Your local Jobcentre Plus should provide advice and support to everyone in your area – including disabled people – looking for work or for information on benefits. Jobcentre Plus is funded by public money. Every Jobcentre Plus must meet duties set out in equalities legislation – including the Disability Discrimination Act.
The equality duties which Jobcentre Plus must meet are on disability, race and gender. Jobcentre Plus must promote equality of opportunity and tackle discrimination. It is not clear how well Jobcentre Plus meets equalities obligations.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is assessing this issue and is interested in your views. The EHRC was established in October 2007 and works for disability, age, gender, race, faith and religion, sexuality equality and human rights.
You might like to input into the EHRC assessment – which closes on 6th August 2008. Further information on the assessment and how to submit relevant evidence can be obtained by emailing: jobcentreplus.assessment@equalityhumanrights.com
NCIL suggests you think about a variety of issues when considering your local Jobcentre Plus. The following are suggested areas you might want to consider in taking part in assessing your Jobcentre Plus:
· physical access to offices (ramps, hearing loops)
· appointment times (flexibility in length and/or time of day)
· support for people who may need it (advocacy)
· accessible printed information (Braille, Easyread)
· attitudes of staff
You should also think about your members and local community before responding – and use real examples where possible.
