Disability Awareness Support Scheme
Introduction
Employers in the private sector that provide disability training for their staff can apply for a grant of up to €20,000 as part of the Disability Awareness Support Scheme. The scheme is funded under the Department of Social Protection’s Reasonable Accommodation Fund.
Disability awareness training can help to:
- Improve the way employers and employees support their colleagues with disabilities
- Promote the employability and promotion of people with disabilities
- Create open and welcoming work environments
- Address any misunderstandings about disabilities in the workplace
- Improve customer service for consumers or clients with disabilities
- Support equality in the workplace and eliminate discrimination
What is disability awareness training?
During disability awareness training, employees can develop a better understanding of the key issues regarding disabilities in the workforce. Training should provide specific information on:
- Anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation
- Different disabilities and abilities, including mobility issues and sensory issues, such as blindness or deafness
- Appropriate language and behaviour
- How to deal with mental health issues in the workplace
Rates
You can apply for the Disability Awareness Support Scheme more than once.
The first year you apply for the grant, you can get 90% of the training costs (up to a maximum of €20,000 in any one calendar year).
The second (or following) years you apply, you can get 80% of the training costs (up to a maximum of €20,000 in any one calendar year).
The training costs eligible for the grant include:
- Fees for external disability awareness training programmes or courses
- Fees for in-house disability awareness training provided by external trainers
- Fees for open learning, computer or web-based disability awareness training programmes
You can also get up to €650 for learning materials related to the training
programme, including DVDs, books and manuals.
How to apply
Contact your local Intreo centre for information on how to apply for the Disability Awareness Training Scheme.