Access to Work

The law (Equality Act 2010) says that Employers must make Reasonable Adjustments in the workplace to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their role.

Access to Work (AtW) is a grant that supports people with a health condition or disability to overcome barriers at work (this could include paid work experience for a fixed term eg summer internship or a placement):

  • It provides individual practical support and advice to help to overcome barriers at work
  • It helps people with all types of disabilities, including Mental Health conditions
  • Access to Work grants may help with additional costs beyond “Reasonable Adjustments”
  • Employers may be asked to contribute towards the cost of one off support

[Content updated 24/4/25]

Reasonable adjustments are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone's disability. For example:
- Making changes to the workplace,
- Changing someone's working arrangements

What does ‘Reasonable’ mean?

What is reasonable depends on each situation. The employer must consider carefully if the adjustment
- will remove or reduce the disadvantage
- is practical to make
- is affordable
- could harm the health and safety of others

Are Reasonable Adjustments Permanent?

Reasonable adjustments made in the workplace are not necessarily permanent and may need to be reviewed and updated over time to ensure that they remain relevant and effective in meeting the worker’s needs.

Who Pays for Reasonable Adjustments?

The employer is responsible for paying for any reasonable adjustments.

Access to Work could pay for:
  • Special equipment or adaptations
  • A support worker or job coach to help in the workplace
  • Disability awareness training for colleagues
  • Communication support at a job interview or in the workplace
  • The cost of moving equipment following a change in location/job
  • Travel to work support for those who cannot use public transport or drive which may include taxis
  • An Access to Work Mental Health Support Service for people who are absent from work or experiencing difficulties with their wellbeing

To be eligible for Access to Work, you must:
  • have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job, or get to and from work 
  • be 16 or over
  • be in paid work (or be about to start or return to paid work)
  • live and work (or be about to start or return to work) in England, Scotland or Wales – there is a different system in Northern Ireland

  1. Complete a Health Adjustment Passport
  2. Research Reasonable Adjustments
  3. Speak to your employer about what part of the role is causing barriers
  4. Apply early – before starting a new role will mean no waiting
  5. Put all methods of communication on application (email, telephone number etc.)

If you know what you need:

  1. If you know what you need, include this on the application
  2. If your application is relating to specialist computer software speak to the IT department in your organisation to find out what they support
  3. Complete a support worker record of tasks
  4. For taxis, ask firms if they are willing to set up an account
  5. Start gathering quotes from different suppliers

Next steps

The Health Adjustment Passport (HAP) is a document that can help you to identify support or reasonable adjustments that you may require in the workplace due to a health condition or disability.

  • It covers several aspects of support including travel to work, accessing work premises, the need for specialist equipment or IT and various types of support worker.
  • It also provides information on how to apply for an Access to Work grant, if you identify that you may need support in the workplace. 

Health Adjustment Passport

The Careers & Employability Service provides a friendly, confidential and impartial service for students and graduates, from 1st year of undergraduate study to 5 years after graduation.

Our support includes one-to-one appointments tailored to your needs, practical resources and links with inclusive employers and opportunities. 

Learn more about how the Careers & Employability Service supports disabled students and graduates

We have also partnered with MyPlus Students’ Club, an award-winning website that provides disabled students with the advice, resources and support you need to land your dream job with disability-confident organisations. 

Register with MyPlus Students' Club for free to access the contact details of employers, jobs and essential advice on applying with a disability giving you the confidence to realise your career potential.