list of 5 items • Glaucoma meant Richard Alcock, 62, was registered blind at 18 months • Worked for 28 years in local government before his eyesight stopped him • Mr Alcock, from Bury, had to take early retirement and uses braille to read • Now he's passed a test to see if he's fit for work - and was told so in letter • Mr Alcock, whose carer read the letter out to him, said: 'It's a rotten trick' list end
By Harriet Arkell PUBLISHED: 10:32 GMT, 30 September 2013 | UPDATED: 11:35 GMT, 30 September 2013 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2438541/Blind-man-quit-civil-service-job-poor-eyesight-told-hes-fit-work-LETTER-Jobcentre.html A blind man who had to leave his job when he could no longer see his computer has been told he is fit for work again - in a letter written in small print. Richard Alcock, 62, from Bury, Greater Manchester, took early retirement from his job as a local government clerk in a social services department because increased use of computers in his office meant he could no longer do his work. After 28 years' service in local government Mr Alcock, who has been registered blind after being diagnosed with congenital glaucoma before he was two, had to leave work and rely on benefits. 'Rotten trick': Mr Alcock, whose wife is also blind, had to wait until his carer could read the letter out to him But earlier this month he passed a test set as part of the Government’s new welfare reforms to assess those who should or should not still remain off work and claim state handouts, and was told he should go back to work. The tests found he could lift one of his arms above his head, pick things up, stay in the same place for an hour, could control his bladder and 'stay conscious' whilst awake. As a result Mr Alcock, who reads using braille and uses a white cane to get around, was sent a letter saying he no longer qualifies for his monthly £350 Employment Support Allowance because he 'does not have limited capability for work.' He said: 'It’s a rotten trick. What was just as upsetting was I had to wait for a support worker to come and read the letter out to me - it seemed like the final insult. 'Admittedly two days after I got it read to me I had the braille version, but it’s not the point. The letter to Mr Alcock, whose wife Rachel, 64, is also blind, said: 'I understand that this decision may come as a shock to you, however I should explain that entitlement to employment and support allowance is not based on someone’s health or disability itself. Richard Alcock, 62, who is registered blind, says he was sent a letter in small print telling him he was fit to go back to work Taken early retirement: Mr Alcock, from Bury, uses braille to read and a white stick to get around 'It is based on what a person is capable of doing rather than assuming their health condition or disability automatically prevents them from being able to work.' Mr Alcock, who has not worked since he took early retirement from Birmingham City Council 12 years ago, said: 'I’ve been unemployed for this long so it’s going to be very difficult to go back to work now. Nobody wants to employ disabled people, and certainly not visually impaired people at that.' 'I understand the government wanting to get the bone idle back to work, but I worked hard in local government for the best part of 30 years despite my disability, and I didn’t even choose to leave my job in the first place. 'Technology moved on so quickly and I felt the workplace didn’t cater for the likes of me, so there was nothing I could do but take early retirement. 'I don’t know what I’ll do now. I have support workers who come twice a week and help me with paperwork and read things out that aren’t in braille and help with the cleaning and shopping - and I won’t be able to afford that without this money.' Mr Alcock, with his wife Rachel, 64, who is also blind, says: 'What if they tell me to become a bricklayer?' Mr Alcock, with his wife Rachel, 64, at home in Bury, says: 'What if they tell me to become a bricklayer?' The Work Capability Assessment lists a series of tasks which the recipient must say whether or not they can do them. A statement from a healthcare professional said: 'The healthcare professional discussed these descriptors with Mr Alcock at the assessment and it was confirmed that he does not have any problems with these activities and therefore these descriptors are not appropriate.' It went on: 'You can move unaided more than 200 metres on solid ground, including using a wheelchair. You can stay in one place standing for one hour without having to move away. You can raise at least one arm above head height. 'What happens if I walk down to the Jobcentre and they give me a job as a bricklayer?' - Richard Alcock, 62, who was registered blind 60 years ago and now has been told to go back to work 'You can pick up and move objects such as an empty cardboard box or carton of liquid. You can use a computer keyboard or mouse and a pen or a pencil with at least one hand.' Mr Alcock said: 'You must score 15 points to be deemed unsuitable for work and I scored nine. It’s ridiculous. What am I going to do at my age? 'What happens if I walk down to the Jobcentre and they give me a job as a bricklayer? 'I’m going to appeal but if that’s unsuccessful, which it may very well be, my lifestyle is going to be drastically changed. It’s scary.' Mrs Alcock, a former bank telephonist, said: 'I think it’s a disgrace. He’s a 62-year-old blind man, for god’s sake. How can he just go back to work now? 'There’s young people out there who can’t get work, never mind people his age and with his condition. A DWP spokesman said: 'It is important that we don’t simply write people off. There is strong evidence that working can be beneficial for many people who have a health condition. 'But we also want to ensure that those who need it get the right support, which is why a decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence provided by the claimant. 'Anyone can appeal against a decision. Before the appeal is heard we review all decisions, taking into account further information provided.' -- Avinash Shahi M.Phil Research Scholar Centre for The Study of Law and Governance Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi India Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. 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