DWP assessor reveals 'sneaky' tricks used in PIP exam such as chair choice test

[Wits_End]

Our nearest assessment venue was - we were told - not wheelchair accessible as the rooms were up a flight of stairs. So instead we had to go rather further into London to another one which was - hence getting the cab. But I think that was probably a health-and-safety decision on their part (not wanting to get sued?) rather than any consideration for our needs.

 

[tornandfrayed]

It's gobsmacking that they think it's OK to have inaccessible assessment venues and that they get away with it.

 

[Spartacus]

So many things I could say about the DWP. One of my closest friends (a High Court judge), looked at the file of correspondence from them I had collected, and described them as "a rogue department". I used to be a government lawyer and I am afraid I have to agree with that sentiment.
I always write on my form that I need to be able to recline or I will have to lie on the floor. So far they haven't assessed me in person since 2007. If they do make me go in, I will take a blanket and lie on the floor.

 

[Wits_End]

It's gobsmacking that they think it's OK to have inaccessible assessment venues and that they get away with it.

I guess a lot of public buildings were built in the days before accessibility was a consideration, and their purposes may have changed over the decades, but yes, I do agree.

 

[Kitty]

I guess a lot of public buildings were built in the days before accessibility was a consideration

The thing is, they're often not public buildings—if they were, the access would be much better. Main Jobcentres tend to have full wheelchair access.

Disability assessment centres are often rented spaces in multi-occupier buildings. In most cases DWP could, should it wish to, choose to rent accessible ones. Or it could make the lifts present in some of these buildings available to visitors, instead of saying they're not insured to use them or claiming they're out of order.