Barriers and enablers to work: stroke survivors' and employers' experiences
Lesley Jordan, Middlesex University
Co-author(s): Karen Bryan, University of Surrey, Eileen Gambrell,
Different Strokes, Sarah Lock, University College London, Jane Maxim,
University College London and Donal O'Kelly, Different Strokes
Abstract
This paper explores some of the factors that help and hinder return to work after becoming a disabled person. It is based on Community Fund-financed research carried out with and for the organisation of younger stroke survivors, Different Strokes. The paper is primarily concerned with policy and practice at the local level among employers, employees and agencies providing employment services to disabled people.
The research was carried out over three years from 1999 to 2002. It involved five focus groups with stroke survivors; a survey of Different Strokes members that elicited 672 responses; and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 24 working-age stroke survivors, with supporters they nominated, and with 12 employers who had experience of employing a stroke survivor. This paper draws principally on the interviews. Interviewees included stroke survivors with different trajectories of post-stroke employment. Some had returned to work for their previous employer after long-term sick leave, whilst others had obtained new employment. Some were currently employed; others were not. All the employers interviewed were nominated by Different Strokes members, some as supporters of stroke survivor interviewees. Other supporters included close relatives, colleagues, rehabilitation professionals and employees of schemes to assist disabled people in returning to and/or maintaining employment.
Among the factors discussed are the changing nature of employment, the utility of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, the benefits system, transport issues, attitudes of employers and co-workers, stroke survivors' abilities and impairment-related adjustments that stroke survivors may require.
Whilst the study focused on stroke survivors, many of the findings are equally relevant to other disabled people. Some points are apposite particularly in relation to disabled people with acquired impairments who require many months for sufficient recovery to return to work, those with complex and/or subtle impairments and those whose requirements are multi-faceted.