Access To Work Support
Support That Works: How Access to Work Can Fund Communication Services That Remove Barriers
Making communication accessible isn’t optional — it’s essential for inclusive employment.
Access to Work is a UK government initiative that provides practical and financial assistance to disabled employees and self-employed professionals. It exists to help individuals overcome challenges in the workplace linked to disability, long-term health conditions, or neurodivergence.
Among the types of support available are specialist communication services: transcription, live captioning, subtitling, note-taking, minute-taking, and translation. These services are fully fundable under the scheme — and they can make a significant difference in how individuals access and process information at work.
Yet, despite its potential, many people eligible for Access to Work either don’t apply or struggle to navigate the process. On this page, we’ll explain how the scheme works, outline some of the common challenges applicants face, and offer a step-by-step framework to help you secure the right support — and use it effectively.
If you’d like the full version of this guide, including templates, scripts, and provider checklists, we’re offering it as a free download. You can request your copy at the end of this page.
Complete the form above to download the Free Guide: Your Access to Work Communication Toolkit
To help individuals, employers, and HR teams understand how to make the most of communication support under Access to Work, we’ve created a downloadable guide that includes:
A checklist of fundable services Template wording for application forms Guidance on selecting a compliant provider A summary of key rights and responsibilities Email scripts for contacting advisors or providers
Supporting You Throughout the Process
If you are unsure how to complete your Access to Work application, or you’d like guidance on what to include, we are happy to help.
We regularly assist clients with preparing their funding requests, explaining their access needs, and ensuring their support plans are tailored to real work environments. This support is available after booking a discovery call with us.
For assistance, you can contact us directly at info@transcriptioncity.co.uk
Communication support is not a benefit — it’s a means of access. And Access to Work funding is a practical, underused tool that can remove real barriers for thousands of professionals across the UK.
If you are eligible, or you suspect you might be, we encourage you to apply and explore the options available. With the right provider and proper support, you can remove unnecessary obstacles and take full control of your working life.
Why Communication Support Matters
Workplaces are increasingly digital, fast-paced, and content-heavy. That can create serious accessibility issues for professionals who are deaf, hard of hearing, neurodivergent, or managing long-term mental health conditions.
Individuals with ADHD may find it difficult to take notes and stay organised during meetings. Those with autism may need support processing verbal instructions or navigating communication in unpredictable group settings. People who are partially deaf or living with hearing loss may struggle in video calls or hybrid meetings where sound quality varies. And those with long-term conditions affecting memory or cognition may require assistance to retain or revisit spoken content.
Access to Work was created to address barriers exactly like these — not just with technology, but with human support that responds to individual needs.
What the Access to Work Scheme Can Cover
Access to Work can provide funding for a wide range of communication support services, including:
- Transcription — Accurate, human-created transcripts for meetings, interviews, training sessions or recorded materials.
- Live Captioning — Real-time speech-to-text for virtual or in-person meetings, ensuring participants can follow the conversation without needing to lipread or guess.
- Note-Taking — Structured, easy-to-review notes for professionals who find it difficult to process or retain spoken content in real time.
- Minute-Taking — Formal minutes of internal meetings, staff briefings, or collaborative sessions where accuracy and structure are essential.
- Subtitling — Professional subtitles for recorded video content, including time-coding and accessibility formatting.
- Translation — Support with written or spoken content in other languages, or translation of materials into accessible formats.
These services are designed to help people carry out the core functions of their job — not as a favour, but as a legal right under the Equality Act 2010 and workplace disability inclusion standards.
Barriers Within the System
Despite being a well-established scheme, Access to Work is often underutilised due to common challenges in its implementation.
Delays in processing are frequent. Some applicants wait weeks or months for an assessment or funding decision. Others aren’t sure how to explain what they need — or don’t realise that services like note-taking or transcription can be included.
Even once a grant is approved, applicants are expected to source and coordinate their own support providers, navigate invoice procedures, and track usage. This process can feel overwhelming, particularly for individuals managing multiple access needs, executive dysfunction, or workplace stress.
There is also variation in provider quality. Not all communication support services are created equal. Automated transcripts can be error-prone. Inexperienced note-takers may produce disorganised or inaccessible material. And some translation or subtitling services fail to meet formatting or compliance standards.
The result is that many people either abandon the process, underuse their funding, or settle for services that don’t meet their needs.
How to Secure and Use Communication Support Under Access to Work
Step One: Begin Your Application
You can start your application online at www.gov.uk/access-to-work. You’ll be asked to describe your job role, your condition or disability, and the challenges you face in carrying out your work.
If you’re unsure what kind of support to ask for, that’s perfectly acceptable. You can simply state that you need an assessment to help identify the right type of communication support.
Applicants can apply at any time after starting a job, but we advise acting early — particularly if your needs are affecting your ability to participate in meetings or keep up with written or spoken content.
Step Two: Undergo a Workplace Assessment
You’ll be contacted by a government-appointed advisor, who will conduct a needs assessment. This may happen over the phone or via video call. You’ll be asked about your day-to-day tasks, communication difficulties, and work environment.
The resulting assessment report will recommend specific types of support and allocate an agreed number of hours per week or month. This forms the basis of your grant.
Step Three: Select a Qualified Provider
Once funding is in place, you are responsible for choosing and managing your own service provider(s). This is a key step — and one that can influence the quality of your support throughout the year.
When choosing a provider for transcription, captioning, note-taking or translation, look for the following:
Human-led services, not AI-based or automated tools Experience supporting professionals under Access to Work Sector knowledge (e.g. legal, healthcare, public sector) Clear policies for data security, confidentiality, and GDPR Flexibility and responsiveness to your communication style
Once your provider is confirmed, they will work with you to schedule services and deliver support as needed. Some are able to invoice Access to Work directly, while others may request payment in advance and help you submit expense claims.
Raising the Standard of Support
The services funded by Access to Work are intended to promote equality, not just tick compliance boxes. For that reason, it is important to select providers who not only meet technical standards, but who deliver support that is genuinely functional, appropriate, and empowering.
A well-trained note-taker can produce clear, structured summaries that reduce cognitive load. A human captioner can respond in real time to the context of the conversation and produce cleaner output than any automated platform. A subtitler can ensure that accessibility isn’t compromised by formatting issues. And a translator can preserve tone, intent, and accuracy in high-stakes documents.
The difference between generic and tailored support is often the difference between simply managing — and fully thriving — in your role.
Examples of Life Changing Access To Work Support
In a case highlighted by Disability Rights UK, a social enterprise leader used Access to Work funding to secure weekly note-taking support and captioning for meetings. This reduced her reliance on memory aids and improved her participation in strategic conversations.
Another widely shared example comes from a business owner profiled by a well known national newspaper who received support for dyslexia in the form of transcription and admin help. This enabled her to focus on client-facing tasks and successfully grow her consultancy.
These stories are not exceptions. They demonstrate what is possible when high-quality support meets the right funding structure.