The DeafATW website is being updated
As more information pages are added I'll let you know through the DeafATW mailing list.
Renewal coming up? Make sure Access to Work has your updated SWROT
24/02/26: Many people are having their awards reduced at renewal. Access to Work describes these as "operational corrections."
When you first applied for Access to Work, you probably filled in a form describing what tasks you need a support worker for, such as interpreting in meetings, phone calls, training, and so on. This is called a Support Worker Record of Tasks (SWROT).
DeafATW believes that Access to Work may be using old SWROT forms when people apply for a renewal. If the original form seems to show someone needs less support than their current award, the award is then cut. We do not know for certain that this is happening, but this is the information that has been shared with us.
If your role has changed since you first applied, for example if you have more responsibilities, attend more meetings, or manage staff, your original form won't reflect what you actually need now. This could mean your award is reduced based on out-of-date information.
DeafATW and RNID have raised this with the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, and asked him to confirm whether AtW is using SWROT forms in this way.
When your renewal is coming up, DeafATW suggests that you contact either the AtW helpline or respond to your AtW Case Manager and ask:
"My Access to Work renewal is coming up. I need to know whether my Support Worker Record of Tasks (SWROT) will be looked at as part of this process. If it will, you will need an up-to-date version that reflects my current role and responsibilities before any decision is made.
Please tell me how I can send you an updated SWROT for you to consider as part of my renewal, and confirm that it will be taken into account in the decision.”
Keep a copy of this message and any response you receive. If your award is reduced without you being given the chance to update your SWROT, or if an updated form is not taken into account, this record may support any Reconsideration Request or Formal Complaint.
Please let DeafATW know what happens if you do this, and what response you get.
The DeafATW / RNID AtW survey - update
19/02/26: Over 300 people filled in the DeafATW / RNID survey, which includes around 10% of all deaf BSL users with AtW. This means we have really strong evidence.
So thank you to everyone who took time to complete the survey and share it with colleagues, friends and networks.
What have DeafATW and RNID done with your survey evidence so far?
(1) All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on deafness:
03/02/26 the APPG had a session on AtW, which Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability attended. One deaf person who has experienced delays, cuts, and restrictions told their story about how it had affected them, and we then showed from the survey data how this is a pattern, not just a single person's experience.
After the meeting we sent the Minister the full details of the case study and our recommendations for what needs to change, including how awards are decided, how AtW communicates with deaf customers, and the impact on people's employment.
(2) Public Accounts Committee inquiry
The National Audit Office (NAO) published its investigation into AtW 06/02/26.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is now examining AtW. DeafATW is sending written evidence to the Committee, using the survey findings alongside the NAO report, to show how operational failures are affecting real people and making recommendations. RNID is sending separate complementary evidence focussed on the survey data.
You can also send evidence directly to the PAC: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9516/the-access-to-wor...
When will I be able to see what you found in the survey?
We hope to finish analysing the survey data in March, and will share more information with you then. We're not sharing any details now because we don't want to share draft findings that may be changed later.