We recently conducted a short survey on our Twitter page. In 24 hours 100 people responded. 94% of people said that they did want to have their PIP assessment recorded.
We hear experiences of many local people, including but not only DPAC members, who wanted to have their assessment recorded it. People requested it on their forms only to turn up to assessments and be told no facility was available. People report being told that they either take part in the assessment that day without recording equipment or face losing their payments.
Despite what DWP media spin report we BELIEVE people's first hand accounts of this, indeed some of us at DPAC sheffield have experienced the same thing; we know it to be true.
We reject recent statements to the press that claim "very few people request recordings" as evidenced in our poll, as well as personal accounts, the truth is quite the opposite.
We've decided not to take the excuse of "there's no equipment available" any longer and to instead aim to provide equipment to people for their assessments.
We're aware of the criteria for providing your own recording devices. They must be identical if using two devices, and tapes must be sealed.
We aim to fundraise for 4 tape recorders and a pack of 10 cassette tapes initially in order to start up this local project.
Please donate only if you can afford to.
Please share and support.
The assessment notes that we get hold (often as part of Mandatory reconsideration process) so rarely bear any resemblance to what was actually said during the interview.