Activity 8: Navigation and maintaining safety
Activity 8 is defined in regulations as -
Navigation and maintaining safety using a guide dog or other aid if either or both are normally used or could reasonably be used.
Activity 8 considers the impact of visual restrictions on the ability to safely navigate having regard to reduced function in central vision and focus, peripheral vision and a person’s ability to adapt to their condition. The person’s confidence and training must be taken into account and the concept of safety awareness and the person’s ability to safely negotiate hazards in a workplace must also be considered. The navigation activity has no LCWRA descriptor so it is important to consider whether those with visual restriction may meet LCWRA criteria in Activity 6: Making self understood or Activity 7: Understanding communication.
Descriptors
The descriptors that relate to Activity 8 are -
- Unable to navigate around familiar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 15 points
- Cannot safely complete a potentially hazardous task such as crossing the road, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 15 points
- Unable to navigate around unfamiliar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 9 points
- None of the above applies. 0 points
Sources:
- Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (SI.No.794/2008) and Part 1 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.280/2008 in Northern Ireland (apply to income-related and old-style contributory ESA).
- Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 (SI.No.379/2013) and Part 1 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.219/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to new-style contributory ESA).
- Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI.No.376/2013) and Part 1 of Schedule 6 to SR.No.216/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to universal credit).
See also section 3.2.7 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.
Case law
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Secretary of State concedes that balance problems caused by Meniere’s disease may constitute a ‘sensory impairment’
- [2017] UKUT 346 (AAC)
- CE/3723/2016
- Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v AI (rule 17) (ESA)
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Failure to properly consider wording of ESA descriptor 8 (navigating safely) and explaining why ESA regulation 29 did not apply
- [2015] UKUT 62 (AAC)
- CE/2772/2014
- CC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)