Mencap response
Updated 23 March 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/how-should-dwp-involve-disabled-people-in-changing-how-it-works/mencap-response
1. Background
This response is authored by xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx at Mencap, who engages with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through a number of formal forums as well as individual pieces of work. This response is the result of these pieces of work and it also includes additional information from other individuals who offered their advice to Mencap.
2. Question 1
Please tell us as much as you can about the times that you have been involved in helping the DWP.
3. Question 1a
How did the DWP ask you to take part?
3.1 Question 1a response
In my role at Mencap I attend some DWP forums and groups like the Ministerial Taskforce on Alternative Formats.
3.2 Question 1b
What information or views did the DWP ask you for?
3.3 Question 1b response
The DWP ask me for my views on how accessible the benefit’s system is for people with a learning disability. This means they show us new versions of letters or documents they are working on and ask us whether they are accessible or not. We have also given advice to the DWP about how to write good easy read documents.
They also ask us to share our concerns with them about how the benefits system is working. For example we have had discussions with them about Universal Credit and how to make sure that people with a learning disability can make a claim for Universal Credit and also understand what they need to do like meeting a job coach, and how systems like the online journal can be made accessible.
3.4 Question 1c
What were the good and bad things about being involved with the DWP?
3.5 Question 1c response
A good thing is that the DWP make sure that people with learning disability, like myself, are included in the design of some of the new documents and letters so we can make sure that people with a learning disability are communicated to in an accessible way.
One big benefit is being able to speak to them about making easy read information for people with learning disabilities.
3.6 Question 1d
Did you find it easy to get involved?
3.7 Question1d response
As I work for Mencap, it was easier for me to get involved than some other people might find. I also asked interesting and challenging questions to the DWP which made them listen and come to us more to ask our advice.
3.8 Question 1e
If you asked for accessible information, like Easy Read or Braille did you get it?
3.9 Question 1e response
I didn’t get it straight away so I had to work with them and give them advice on how it should been done so it can help me and other people with a learning disability.
3.10 Question 1f
If you are in an organisation, did DWP speak with people or groups from your organisation?
3.11 Question 1f response
The DWP have also worked with my other colleagues in Mencap.
3.12 Question 1g
Did the DWP tell you anything about the information you gave it?
3.13 Question 1g response
The DWP did give us some feedback about the need to make easy read information and they told me that they are willing to make more easy read and also improve the quality of the easy read.
3.14 Question 1h
Is there anything else you would like to say?
3.15 Question 1h response
They are improving their communication and we are both working hard to make improvement so that the benefits system can be more accessible and better for people with a learning disability.
4. Question 2
Did talking to DWP lead to good changes?
4.1 Question 2 response
Yes
4.2 Question 2a
If so in what way?
4.3 Question 2a response
Some of the good changes that have happened is that more easy read information is being made by the DWP to help people with a learning disability understand the benefits system. Our concerns about the accessibility of PIP and Universal Credit have been listened too and we have seen some changes to making sure that people with a learning disability know that they can call the DWP or ask for a home visit.
4.4 Question 2b
If not, how did you want it to get better?
4.5 Question 2b response
N/A
4.6 Question 2c
Did DWP tell you what happened next?
4.7 Question 2c reponse
They have started to make more easy read information which is on their website now.
4.8 Question 2d
Did DWP say you could comment on its report before it made a final decision?
4.9 Question 2d response
Yes, they did.
5. Question 3
Would you want to help DWP in the future?
5.1 Question 3 response
Yes
5.2 Question 3a
If yes, why?
5.3 Question 3a response
Because it is important. I think working with DWP is great having an ongoing communication and also it’s great having a good working relationships with them.
5.4 Question 3b Could the way the DWP involves people be better?
5.5 Question 3b response
There are a lot thing can be improved on depending what work they are doing. I think DWP can improve how they can write their letters and communicate people with learning disabilities on the phone.
6. Question 4
Have any other organisations asked you for your views?
6.1 Question 4 response
Yes
6.2 Question 4a
If yes, how did they do it?
6.3 Question 4a response
Yes lots of good ideas and improvements too. They said how we can improve and involved people with disabilities and how to employ people with disabilities and get there voice heard more to the work.
6.4 Question 4b
Was this better than how the DWP did it, or worse?
6.5 Question 4b response
It was equally as good.
7. Question 5
Do you think the DWP could improve the way it involve disabled people? If so, how?
The DWP can help in lots of ways, for example including more disabled people in their work by holding more workshops and also employing more people with disabilities.
This would help them understand how reasonable adjustments can put in place and understand what impact the benefits system has on people.
8. Question 6
Is there anything else you want to say?
There are lots of different things the DWP can do to improve their work. I think more accessible forms of support can be provided when a person with disability needs them. They should also have a more friendly approach, like a nicer tone of voice, when dealing with people who are claiming or have a question about their benefits.
The DWP should use a softer way of writing letters so they don’t make people anxious or stressed when reading them.