Jackie, Yes, after my initial experience, I sourced my own kit. I am not even sure that assessors are trained or have any quality control process for the service they provide. Like you, I am not reliant upon this and the support from access to work is good, once you get past the form filling. In fact I now have more gadgets than I can shake a stick at. For a while, when I was working in a particularly difficult area, they even provided taxis from home to work every Winter. Proably literally a life-saver in my case. Graham -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jackie Cairns Sent: 25 July 2010 13:10 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: access to work anyone? Hi Graham I'm inclined to agree, and it's definitely a case of who you know, not what you know. I have no complaints about the level of support I have received, but then I am fortunate to know what I need, and where to go to get it. Lots of applicants don't, and this is where certain assessors favour certain companies whether the equipment they sell is right for the claimant or not. The wording of your claim is very important. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns J&M Work-Ability jandm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.work-ability.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Graham Lewis [gjl] Sent: 24 July 2010 20:01 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: access to work anyone? Ican't answer yout question regarding being self employed, but I have used Access to Work for a number of years and one thing I have learnt is that the quality of assessment can be very poor indeed. You wopuld be better estab;ishing what equipment you need first, by using support like this list, then speaking to the assessor. Personally I feel the assesors get money for old rope, but then I am a cynical old sod these days and not getting any sweeter with the passing years. I would be interestd to know how you get on as a self employed user of access to work though. Graham Lewis Co-ordinator, CDSAP. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jackie Cairns Sent: 22 July 2010 18:27 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: access to work anyone? Hi Will I am currently going through that process. What you need to do is contact your Jobcentre and they should put you in touch with your ATW Advisor. They then help you make an application and request an assessment be carried out for what you require. I've just gone through this particular phase, and am awaiting the report which will determine what, if any equipment, I will receive. I am lucky in knowing what I require, and where to get it, so that has helped me and the ATW people. So far, I have to say, everyone has been extremely supportive and helpful over here. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns J&M Work-Ability jandm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.work-ability.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of william lomas Sent: 22 July 2010 13:48 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] access to work anyone? hi all, I have contacted the centre for my area, but as I wish to become in the future a translator from French to English a braille display and or notetaker would help with this. Can access to work help those who are self-employed needing equipment and if so, how? Thanks, WIll ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3020 - Release Date: 07/21/10 19:36:00 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3023 - Release Date: 07/25/10 07:36:00 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq