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At work with MS Sources of information and support

"Employers need more information about MS and its effect on people."

People who may offer help and support

Organisations

Publications

People who may offer help and support

Not all these people will be relevant to your situation or accessible in your area.

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Occupational Therapist (OT) - What's an Occupational Therapist?

An OT can help by discussing and analysing your difficulties at work and making suggestions to overcome them. For example, different ways of doing things, rearranging your workspace, or getting some equipment are all ways in which things could be made easier for you. In some areas an OT may be able to visit your workplace. They can also assist you in planning ways to deal with fatigue management, and how to timetable work and home life optimally.

• Find an Occupational Therapist (OT) using our map of MS services

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Occupational Health - in the workplace - Tell me more about Occupational Health...

The kind of services offered by occupational health departments can vary, and not every workplace has one. The occupational health professional may wish to see you before you start a new job if you have disclosed you have MS and can negotiate a phased return to work after being off sick for a while.

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Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) - What's a Disability Employment Advisor (DEA)?

Advisors are available through your local Jobcentre Plus and will provide help and support regardless of your situation. DEAs can also help finding employment and gaining new skills even if you have been out of work for a long time, or if you have little or no work experience.

• Find a Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) using our map of MS services

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Human Resources/Personnel - in the workplace - What's Human Resources/Personnel?

Larger employers have these departments that help managers understand the responsibilities of the employer under legislation and in following their own procedures. They can facilitate communication between you and your manager.

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MS Specialist nurse - What's a MS Specialist nurse?

An MS specialist nurse provides specialist clinical advice and support to people with MS. They often act to coordinate services for people with MS and can refer someone on to an occupational therapist or other appropriate services.

• Find a MS Specialist nurse using our map of MS services

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Union representative - What's a Union representative?

If you belong to a union, the representative can support you if you have difficulties at work. For example you might need support if your workplace sickness policy doesn't recognise the kind of problems MS causes. The union representative will also know your legal rights in the context of your workplace.

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Work Psychologist - What's a Work Psychologist?

You may be referred by the Disability Employment Advisor for an assessment of your employment needs.

• Find a Work Psychologist using our map of MS services

Organisations

Access to Work
Access to Work can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs.

Website: www.directgov.co.uk

Call this number 02920 423 291 if you live in...

• South West England
• Wales
• West Midlands
• East Midlands

Call this number 020 8426 3110 if you live in...

• South East England
• London
• East of England

Call this number 0141 950 5327 if you live in...

• Scotland
• North West England
• North East England
• Yorkshire and Humberside

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Citizens Advice
Offers free independent advice on employment rights through a network of local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
For Wales call: 08444 77 20 20
For England call: 08444 111 444
TextRelay users should call: 08444 111 445

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Disability Law Service (DLS)
A national charity providing free, confidential legal advice about social welfare and disability discrimination law for people with a disability and their families. The charity has a designated MS legal officer.

Website: www.dls.org.uk
Call: 0207 791 9800

Write to:
Disability Law Service
Ground Floor
39-45 Cavell Street
London E1 2BP

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Department of Work and Pensions
A government department that aims to ensure people with health conditions and disabilities are able to optimise work opportunities; provides details of Jobcentres, benefits and schemes.

Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Call: 0207 712 2171

Write to:
Department of Work and Pensions
Public Enquiry Office
Room 540, The Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London WC2N 6HT

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Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
An independent body that promotes equality of opportunity for people with a disability and challenges discrimination. This body took over the role of the Disability Rights Commission in October 2007.

Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Call: 08457 622633

Write to:
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Freepost MID 02164
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 9HY

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Employers' forum on disability
An organisation that aims to enable companies to become disability confident by making it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees.

Website: www.efd.org.uk
Call: 020 7403 3020

Write to:
Employers' forum on disability
Nutmeg House
60 Gainsford Street
London
SE1 2NY

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Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus provides access to Disability Employment Advisors (DEA) and the Access to Work scheme.

Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

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Law Centres
Provides a free professional legal service to people who live or work in their catchment areas.

Website: www.lawcentres.org.uk
Call: 0207 387 8570

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Momentum Scotland
A not for profit organisation that helps people in Scotland, who might otherwise be excluded, to gain skills, training and experience that might be needed to find employment.

Website: www.momentumscotland.org
Call: 0141 221 2333

Write to:
Momentum Scotland
Head Office - Intercity House
80 Oswald Street
Glasgow G1 4PL

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Working Life Service
Offers guidance and support about workplace issues to people affected by neurological conditions and will work with employers to advise on responsibilities under the Equality Act.

Website: www.neurosupport.org.uk
Call: 0151 298 3282

Write to:
The Neurosupport Centre
Norton Street
Liverpool
England
L3 8LR

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Work Life
An online resource produced by the Department of Work and Pensions in collaboration with a number of charities, employment organisations and health professionals to help people with long-term fluctuating conditions to remain in work.

Website: www.yourworkhealth.com

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Publications

MS Trust publications you may find helpful

Living with Fatigue

Fatigue management for people with MS

MS Explained

A background to MS and explanation of the causes of the most common symptoms

MS: What does it mean for me?

A practical introduction to MS for the newly diagnosed

MS and me: a self-management guide to living with MS

Contains practical strategies including setting goals, problem solving and healthy living, explores how to better understand your symptoms and how working in partnership with health professionals can ensure that you make decisions and treatment choices that are right for you.

Talking about your MS to family, friends and colleagues

Factsheet considering who you may want to tell about your diagnosis of MS

Tips for living with MS

Practical suggestions on managing different aspects of life with MS

StayingSmart

A website for people who want to understand how MS can affect thinking, concentration and memory.

Other publications

Work and MS

London: MS Society; 2011

Doing Work Differently - getting and keeping a job while managing impairment

London: RADAR; 2007

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