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Can I Use Access to Work for Lipreading Classes?
Can I Use Access to Work for Lipreading Classes?
If you have hearing loss, you may be eligible for help through the UK Government’s Access to Work scheme. This support can include funding for lipreading classes and private lipreading lessons, where they are linked to your job and help you carry out your work more effectively.
If you have hearing loss, you may be eligible for help through the UK Government’s Access to Work scheme. This support can include funding for lipreading classes and private lipreading lessons, where they are linked to your job and help you carry out your work more effectively.
What is Access to Work?
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work (AtW) is a government grant designed to remove barriers for disabled people in employment. It can help pay for practical support, including communication support for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Access to Work (AtW) is a government grant designed to remove barriers for disabled people in employment. It can help pay for practical support, including communication support for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
The support is tailored to each individual and their job role. Importantly, as it is a grant – it does not need to be repaid.
The support is tailored to each individual and their job role. Importantly, as it is a grant – it does not need to be repaid.
Can My Lipreading Classes Be Funded?
Can My Lipreading Classes Be Funded?
Yes, in some cases. Access to Work can pay for job-related training when it directly helps you perform your role. If learning to lipread will improve your ability to take part in meetings, join conversations, or communicate with colleagues and customers, this can be considered a valid workplace adjustment.
Yes, in some cases. Access to Work can pay for job-related training when it directly helps you perform your role. If learning to lipread will improve your ability to take part in meetings, join conversations, or communicate with colleagues and customers, this can be considered a valid workplace adjustment.
Employers may also have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide paid time off for you to attend classes, even where the course fees are not covered.
Employers may also have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide paid time off for you to attend classes, even where the course fees are not covered.
What Access to Work May Cover
What Access to Work May Cover
Lipreading tuition (online lipreading classes and/or private lipreading lessons), where it is linked to your job.
Lipreading tuition (online lipreading classes and/or private lipreading lessons), where it is linked to your job.
Other communication support or assistive technology that helps you access meetings and conversations.
Other communication support or assistive technology that helps you access meetings and conversations.
Access to Work does not usually fund training that is considered a general personal skill or a standard duty of the employer, but it can cover specialised training such as lipreading if it will directly support you in your job.
Access to Work does not usually fund training that is considered a general personal skill or a standard duty of the employer, but it can cover specialised training such as lipreading if it will directly support you in your job.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Identify your need – think about which parts of your job are affected by hearing loss (for example, group meetings, telephone calls, or safety briefings).
Identify your need – think about which parts of your job are affected by hearing loss (for example, group meetings, telephone calls, or safety briefings).
Propose us as a qualified service provider.
Propose us as a qualified service provider.
Apply online – applications can be made on the Access to Work service page. A case manager will discuss your needs and may arrange an assessment.
Apply online – applications can be made on the Access to Work service page. A case manager will discuss your needs and may arrange an assessment.
Contact us to get a quote –we can provide a written quote outlining the course details, cost, and expected outcomes. You can choose to have one-to-one private lipreading lessons if you wish, followed by joining one of our online lipreading classes.
Contact us to get a quote –we can provide a written quote outlining the course details, cost, and expected outcomes. You can choose to have one-to-one private lipreading lessons if you wish, followed by joining one of our online lipreading classes.
Agree funding – do not start or pay for training until Access to Work has confirmed your award.
Agree funding – do not start or pay for training until Access to Work has confirmed your award.
How Payment Works
How Payment Works
In most cases, your employer pays the invoice and then claims reimbursement from Access to Work.
In most cases, your employer pays the invoice and then claims reimbursement from Access to Work.
If you are self-employed or work for a very small employer, Access to Work can sometimes pay us directly.
If you are self-employed or work for a very small employer, Access to Work can sometimes pay us directly.
Claims must usually be made within nine months of receiving an invoice.
Claims must usually be made within nine months of receiving an invoice.
Annual Funding Limits
Annual Funding Limits
The maximum annual award is reviewed each year. For 2024/25, the cap was £69,260 – our lipreading courses cost far less. The amount awarded depends on your individual needs.
The maximum annual award is reviewed each year. For 2024/25, the cap was £69,260 – our lipreading courses cost far less. The amount awarded depends on your individual needs.
Next steps
Next steps
If you think lipreading classes would help you at work:
If you think lipreading classes would help you at work:
Speak to your employer about making an application to Access to Work.
Speak to your employer about making an application to Access to Work.
Apply online and wait for approval before starting the course.
Apply online and wait for approval before starting the course.
Deaf Awareness Training for Colleagues
Deaf Awareness Training for Colleagues
Alongside lipreading classes, Access to Work may also fund Deaf Awareness Training for you and your colleagues. This type of training helps co-workers understand how hearing loss affects communication and gives them practical strategies to make conversations and meetings more accessible.
Alongside lipreading classes, Access to Work may also fund Deaf Awareness Training for you and your colleagues. This type of training helps co-workers understand how hearing loss affects communication and gives them practical strategies to make conversations and meetings more accessible.
Tip: Even if Access to Work does not cover the course fees, your employer may still need to give you paid time off to attend lipreading classes as a reasonable adjustment.
Tip: Even if Access to Work does not cover the course fees, your employer may still need to give you paid time off to attend lipreading classes as a reasonable adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Apply If I'm Self-Employed?
Can I Apply If I'm Self-Employed?
Yes. Access to Work is available to people who are employed, self-employed, apprentices, or on certain work experience schemes. You can still apply for funding for lipreading lessons if you run your own business and can demonstrate that these lessons would help you in your work.
Yes. Access to Work is available to people who are employed, self-employed, apprentices, or on certain work experience schemes. You can still apply for funding for lipreading lessons if you run your own business and can demonstrate that these lessons would help you in your work.
What If I Already Have a Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant?
What If I Already Have a Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant?
You can still apply. Access to Work support is about removing barriers in the workplace, and hearing aids do not always solve every difficulty, especially in group or noisy environments. This is when a little lipreading can be really helpful.
You can still apply. Access to Work support is about removing barriers in the workplace, and hearing aids do not always solve every difficulty, especially in group or noisy environments. This is when a little lipreading can be really helpful.
Do I Have To Pay the Money Back?
Do I Have To Pay the Money Back?
No. Access to Work is a grant, not a loan. You do not have to repay the support that is awarded to you.
No. Access to Work is a grant, not a loan. You do not have to repay the support that is awarded to you.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision?
It varies. You will normally hear back within a few weeks, though complex cases can take longer. It’s best to apply as soon as you can, as funding usually starts from the date of application. Apply well in advance, if you would like to join a particular lipreading group.
It varies. You will normally hear back within a few weeks, though complex cases can take longer. It’s best to apply as soon as you can, as funding usually starts from the date of application. Apply well in advance, if you would like to join a particular lipreading group.
What If My Employer Refuses to Help?
What If My Employer Refuses to Help?
Employers have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, which may include paid time off for training. If your employer is unsure about Access to Work, you can encourage them to read the guidance or speak directly with an AtW adviser.
Employers have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, which may include paid time off for training. If your employer is unsure about Access to Work, you can encourage them to read the guidance or speak directly with an AtW adviser.
Will Access to Work Pay for Other Support As Well As Lipreading?
Will Access to Work Pay for Other Support As Well As Lipreading?
Yes. Many people receive a mix of support, such as lipspeakers, speech-to-text reporters, or assistive technology alongside lipreading classes. Your award is tailored to your needs.
Yes. Many people receive a mix of support, such as lipspeakers, speech-to-text reporters, or assistive technology alongside lipreading classes. Your award is tailored to your needs.
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